Manager, Sponsorship Marketing

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

Department Overview:

The Sports + Entertainment team is an award-winning division of WPP Media. Our mission is to help brands connect with consumers through their favourite passions. Being part of the world's leading integrated communication agency, the division combines the most comprehensive consumer and brand insight with intrinsic knowledge of the media and cultural landscape to help our clients achieve their business and brand objectives. Our strategic, data-led solutions help activate brands through one of or a combination of the following marketing functions;

Sponsorship Marketing

Media Integrations and Partnerships

Influencer Marketing

Content Marketing

XM

Sponsorship Marketing is an important function within the value proposition of the Sports + Entertainment team. We ensure our client's sponsorship activities are impactful, accountable and aligned with their wider communications objectives to drive maximum success and efficiency. Our full suite of services supports the entire sponsorship lifecycle, including (but not limited to);

Sponsorship Strategy

Account/Partner Management

Project Management and Partnership Fulfilment

Sponsorship Evaluation and Negotiations

Ambassador Relations

Measurement

Role Overview:

The Manager, Sponsorship Marketing – WPP Media Sports + Entertainment will lead the work output and own the relationship with a selection of WPP clients. This position provides day-to-day management of all aspects related to the sponsorship portfolio of their respective clients and acts as a key representative of the client with stakeholders that include internal media planning team, cross-functional departments, sport and entertainment properties and third-party vendors. This role requires close collaboration with the media planning team to ensure alignment to overall marketing objectives of the client and business objectives of WPP Media Sports + Entertainment. As such, candidates should be familiar in all tenets of sponsorship marketing and be comfortable operating with ambiguity, while demonstrating strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They may also participate in various new business initiatives to drive the evolution and growth of our Canadian offering to existing and new clients.

Required Skills and Behaviour:

Aptitude for critical thinking; demonstrated ability to think creatively and analytically

Experience with brand and/or account management

Skilled problem-solver

Ability to think creatively when developing strategic recommendations, considering client objectives and key insights

Strong communicator both written and verbal.

Exceptional Interpersonal skills; ability to navigate client and internal relationships with the ability to strategically influence others

Entrepreneurial, self-starter mentality

Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Experienced with PowerPoint - able to build creative and visually impactful slides.

Key Accountabilities:

Clients:

Act as the day-to-day subject matter expert on all issues related to our client's sponsorship portfolio:

Deeply understand the client's business(es), sponsorship portfolio and ensure quality client service across workstreams.

Ability to develop and nurture relationships with client(s) and partners

Support the development of sponsorship marketing plans and the identification of KPIs / measurement plans.

Contribute to and apply brand strategy to all aspects of the client's portfolio.

Responsible for the project management and fulfilment of client's sponsorship assets including (but not limited to): media planning, XM programs, content development etc.

Responsible for developing measurements plans and reports re: sponsorship performance.

Contribute to strategic and creative POV in the develoment of programs initiated by client and/or partners

Responsible for contributions to Sponsorship Strategy portfolio and new business including organic and new initiatives:

Oversee and analyse ongoing sponsorship and market trends within sports, arts, entertainment and lifestyle. Translate the key insights and learnings into strategic and tailored client recommendations.

Ability to identify opportunities for organic growth within client business ecosystem

Review client media briefs and identify business solutions that relate to sport and entertainment marketing Identify strategic opportunities and develop initial concepts against key marketing and media initiatives

Team Approach:

Contribute to foster a team culture which emphasizes excellence of delivery and focus on outcomes/results.

Lead and inspire others.

Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff as we grow.

Work with senior leadership to build effective processes and a culture of high-performance within the team.

Education and Experience:

Minimum 3 years of total years of experience in brand, marketing, sports or sponsorship

Post-secondary degree with a focus on marketing and/or business

Experience operating successfully in a complex multi-stakeholder environment

Agency experience considered an asset

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP network to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.

We offer:

Competitive medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Group retirement plans.

Significant paid time off.

Preferential partner discounts.

Employee mental health awareness days.

Frequent in-office events to celebrate wins, share thought leadership, and mark milestones.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week.

Diversity & Inclusion

If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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