About the Job
Job Title: Associate Director, Sports
Reporting to: Director, Sports
Location: New York
Role Overview
Dynamic leader with a passion for sports and entertainment partnerships, responsible for overseeing critical brand partnership initiatives for a fast‑paced client. The associate director leads all soccer partnerships across league, teams, talent, governing bodies and other strategic sport partnerships, shaping vision and execution, translating challenges into strategies, maximizing brand impact, and delivering measurable results.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead strategic planning, negotiation, and activation of an extensive portfolio of sports and entertainment partnerships for the client’s soccer portfolio and other strategic partnerships.
- Manage partnership lifecycle: opportunity identification, agreement structuring, and delivery of deliverables.
- Ensure seamless integration across media, experiential, content, and talent channels to develop holistic, impactful campaigns.
- Continuously optimize partnership value, monitor performance, and implement strategies to maximize ROI and achieve measurable results aligned with client objectives.
- Build and maintain strong senior client relationships as a trusted advisor and strategic partner.
- Collaborate seamlessly with internal teams (media, content, analytics) and external partners (leagues, teams, properties, talent agencies) to deliver integrated solutions.
- Present proactive strategic recommendations and performance insights clearly and persuasively to drive client growth.
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of sports and entertainment marketing professionals.
- Foster a culture of proactive thinking, continuous improvement, and excellence by driving professional development, identifying growth opportunities, setting clear objectives, conducting regular reviews, and ensuring the team is equipped with up‑to‑date industry knowledge and strategic capabilities.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of progressive experience in sports and entertainment marketing, with a significant portion in an agency setting or managing a diverse brand partnership portfolio.
- Demonstrated expertise in executing premium soccer partnerships and other sports for major brands, ensuring high‑touch experiences for diverse stakeholders.
- Proven track record of leading, developing, and inspiring high‑performing teams.
- Deep expertise across a broad spectrum of sports and entertainment properties, with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex ecosystems and contractual agreements.
- Exceptional strategic thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to translate complex challenges into actionable, innovative solutions.
- Strong understanding of the full marketing funnel and how sports and entertainment partnerships drive brand objectives, from awareness to conversion.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, negotiate, and execute comprehensive, integrated marketing programs that deliver measurable results.
- Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing senior stakeholders and fostering strong client relationships.
- Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with relentless drive for innovation and excellence.
Attributes
- Visionary: forward‑thinking perspective, anticipating trends and shaping future strategies.
- Inspirational Leader: motivates and empowers teams to achieve their full potential and deliver exceptional work.
- Strategic Thinker: connects client objectives, market trends, and partnership solutions.
- Passionate: genuine thrill and excitement for the role and world of sports and entertainment.
- Agile: nimble in thought and action, overcoming obstacles to achieve great things.
- Collaborative: works well with others, aligning behind a shared purpose.
- Entrepreneurial: open to new ideas and willing to challenge old ones.
- Diverse: brings pride in differences they can bring.
Benefits and Other Information
WPP Media provides competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. Work is hybrid, with in‑office teams approximately four days a week. Accommodations for disabilities available upon request. Equal‑opportunity employer; fosters a culture of respect and belonging. Privacy notice:
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