Scott Woodruff
Novi
Summary
Senior commercial leader with a track record of driving partnership revenue growth, building disciplined operating structure, and positioning sports organizations as strategic growth platforms for brands. Experienced across the NFL, major college athletics, and multi-venue environments, with deep expertise in category strategy, enterprise partnerships, and cross-functional integration. Known for the ability to collaborate effectively across organizations by aligning internal stakeholders, ownership priorities, and partner objectives to deliver cohesive, high-impact programs. Combines creative partnership thinking with forecasting rigor and operational accountability to produce sustainable, multi-year revenue performance. Prepared to lead partnerships in high-growth, competitive markets.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director Corporate Partnerships
Detroit Lions
Detroit
09.2023 - 02.2026
- Led corporate partnerships revenue strategy for the organization, overseeing new business, renewals, and upsell performance across the full partnership lifecycle.
- Directed and developed three-person sales team, maintaining strategic partner relationships and overseeing executive-level revenue.
- Drove disciplined operating infrastructure, including pipeline management, forecasting rigor, and multi-year revenue planning to improve visibility and predictability.
- Contributed to league-leading partnership revenue growth over a three-season period through structured renewal strategy and targeted category expansion.
- Personally closed multiple seven-figure, multi-year partnerships with national and regional brands.
- Advanced the organization’s partnership model beyond traditional asset sales by incorporating lead-generation programs, gamification, and performance-oriented activation frameworks.
- Strengthened cross-functional alignment with marketing, operations, facilities, and finance to integrate partnerships into broader business strategy.
- Established operating cadence and accountability standards across team to support sustainable, scalable revenue performance.
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Intersport
Chicago
07.2022 - 09.2023
- Led corporate partnerships strategy and revenue generation for Intersport’s Village of Rosemont portfolio, overseeing multi-venue commercial performance across Allstate Arena, Rosemont Theatre, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, and Parkway Bank Park.
- Directed new business development and renewal strategy alongside a direct report, driving integrated partnership sales across sports, entertainment, and live event platforms.
- Expanded diverse portfolio of corporate partners, emphasizing long-term value creation and multi-property alignment.
- Delivered executive-level reports and strategic updates to Mayor of Rosemont and key municipal stakeholders, enhancing revenue visibility and partnership performance.
- Strengthened pipeline discipline and focused prospecting to support consistent new business activity across competitive Chicago-area market.
- Positioned the Rosemont platform as a multi-asset partnership ecosystem rather than a single-venue sponsorship model.
Associate Athletic Director
Northwestern University
Evanston
08.2015 - 07.2022
- Led a ten-person ticket sales organization responsible for season ticket revenue generation and annual fund growth for the Wildcat Excellence Fund.
- Directed integrated sales strategy across ticketing and donor engagement, aligning revenue generation with broader athletic department priorities.
Built and developed a high-performing sales culture through clear performance standards, structured pipeline management, and consistent accountability rhythms.
- Helped drive football attendance and ticket revenue to program-record levels in 2018 through refined pricing strategy, targeted demand generation, and disciplined sales execution.
- Contributed to record-setting men’s basketball attendance and ticket revenue performance in the 2016–17 and 2018–19 seasons.
- Played a key role in developing and implementing the new pricing and donation model tied to the renovated Welsh-Ryan Arena, aligning premium strategy with long-term donor and ticket value.
- Served as sport administrator for Men’s Soccer (2017–2018), Women’s Field Hockey (2019–2021), and Women’s Softball (2019–2022), overseeing budget management, strategic planning, and head coach support.
- Acted as a cross-functional liaison across development, marketing, and operations to ensure alignment between revenue strategy and program execution.
- Contributed to broader departmental planning and revenue initiatives as part of the senior athletic leadership group.
Associate General Manager
IMG College
Ann Arbor
01.2013 - 08.2015
- Drove both renewal expansion and new business development across a high-value Big Ten sponsorship platform.
- Cultivated executive-level relationships with key brand partners, aligning sponsorship strategy with partner business objectives and institutional priorities to enhance partnership effectiveness.
- Partnered closely with University of Michigan athletic department leadership to ensure integrated activation, visibility, and long-term partnership alignment.
- Supported sustained partnership revenue growth within one of the nation’s premier collegiate multimedia rights environments through strategic relationship management.
- Served as senior commercial lead supporting the University of Michigan Athletics multimedia rights portfolio, managing several of the property’s largest and most strategic corporate partnerships.
Senior Director, Business Operations
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland
08.2009 - 01.2013
- Led full business operations for the Cavaliers’ NBA D-League affiliate (Canton Charge) and Arena Football League franchise (Cleveland Gladiators), with end-to-end P&L responsibility.
- Oversaw all core revenue and marketing functions including corporate partnerships, premium sales, ticket sales, marketing, game operations, media relations, and community relations.
- Directed cross-functional strategy to drive revenue growth and market presence across two emerging professional sports properties.
- Managed and developed the corporate sales function for the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate (Lake Erie Monsters), supporting multi-property sponsorship growth.
- Built foundational operating structure across sales and marketing disciplines to support scalable commercial performance in a competitive regional market.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
Washington State University
Vancouver, WA08.1994
Bachelor of Science - Business
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN08.1989
Skills
- Corporate Partnerships Strategy
- Enterprise Partnership Development
- Premium & Integrated Sales Strategy
- New Business & Renewal Optimization
- Revenue Growth & Forecasting Discipline
- Pipeline Management & Revenue Planning
- Category Architecture & Pricing Strategy
- Executive & Ownership Reporting
- Stakeholder Relations
- Negotiation
- Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- P&L Ownership
Timeline
Senior Director Corporate Partnerships
Detroit Lions
09.2023 - 02.2026
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Intersport
07.2022 - 09.2023
Associate Athletic Director
Northwestern University
08.2015 - 07.2022
Associate General Manager
IMG College
01.2013 - 08.2015
Senior Director, Business Operations
Cleveland Cavaliers
08.2009 - 01.2013
MBA - Business Administration
Washington State University
Bachelor of Science - Business
Minnesota State University, Mankato