OVERVIEW
This is an exciting opportunity to become a key senior member of the partnerships team. The Account Director will work on a major global sports partnership, overseeing a high-profile international rights-holder relationship and owning the primary senior client relationship.
The successful candidate will be comfortable managing multiple stakeholders within a complex corporate ecosystem, demonstrating advanced communication skills and proven experience managing a broad range of internal, external, and client-side stakeholders across multiple international markets.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Develop strong knowledge of the client’s business strategy, solutions, and services
* Manage partnership assets, coordinating communications between global and local stakeholders, and rights holders
* Lead strategic planning and ideation, often within multi-functional or cross-agency teams
* Run regular stakeholder meetings and be accountable for status reports; organise, lead, and document status meetings and calls (with team support)
* Ensure all communications and approval deadlines are met, and brand guidelines are adhered to
* Discuss major progress updates, changes, and challenges while presenting solutions internally and externally
* Review delivery outcomes, best practices, and key insights
* Provide post-programme reports and budget reconciliations
* Oversee budgets, ensuring forecasts, statements of work, cost estimations, and invoicing are submitted on time
* Demonstrate a solid understanding of guest communications, data regulations, and GDPR
* Identify and share best practices and client insights with the team and wider agency
* Drive innovation and new thinking for clients
* Maintain strong supplier relationships and oversee contract negotiation and review
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
* 5+ years’ experience in sports partnerships or within a marketing agency
* Strong understanding of how sponsorship supports client business objectives
* Knowledge or experience within major global sports industries; broader interest in other entertainment sectors beneficial
* Proven experience managing complex stakeholder environments
* Experience working with complex multinational brands (e.g., large corporates or global consumer brands)
* Ability to build excellent working relationships and quickly understand client structures and processes
* Outstanding interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written
* Strong presentation skills with the ability to convey clear, concise plans to clients and stakeholders
* Wide experience across partnership disciplines: asset management; market communications; employee engagement; guest experience; event delivery; hospitality; guest management; systems and ticketing; content; and social
* Broad understanding of wider marketing disciplines and experience working in cross-agency teams
* A natural storyteller with the ability to adapt creative platforms for below-the-line channels
* Strong project planning and management capabilities, with experience guiding clients, implementing processes, and managing expectations
* Experience managing a small team and delegating effectively to ensure efficient workflow
* Ability to act as a key voice on the client account, leading by example and supporting junior team members
* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to multi-task across multiple workstreams
* Willingness to travel internationally, including weekend work when required
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office