The Associate Manager, Sponsorships plays an integral role in bringing KDP brands to life in conjunction with our key brand and sponsorship objectives. This position resides in our Sponsorships Center of Excellence and requires strong personal initiative, accountability, a drive to seek new ideas, and the ability to approach a project with a strategic lens. The position is accountable for developing strategic plans for our sponsorship portfolio both in and out of venue as well as at retail in addition to managing partner relationships and driving commercial alignment to achieve business goals. This position supports the Sr. Manager, Sponsorships and the ideal candidate will bring 3+ years of progressive marketing or related sports and entertainment experience along with a leadership style that infuses inspiration with a passion for making an impact.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Industry Intelligence and Business Knowledge
Strong pulse on the sponsorships, sports and entertainment industry to bring newsworthy knowledge to the team that impacts current partnerships and encourages new opportunities
Develop strong commercial knowledge and business acumen to support annual planning.
Ensure communication is fully integrated with all brand consumer touch points.
Support creative agency management; from brief writing through execution in order deliver clear and concise strategic consumer messaging on all initiatives.
Use entrepreneurial approach to identify new and better ways of thinking that deliver excellence in all executions.
Flawless Project and Partnership Management:
Leverage strong project management discipline to deliver contractual asset reviews, sponsorship execution, and post analysis for partnership portfolio.
Lead development of branded signage, POS, packaging, activation, and promotions. Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Sponsor, and Agency partners on sponsorship execution. Gain input and alignment from Sponsorship leadership.
Lead post-analysis, inclusive of asset optimization, valuation and ROI modeling.
Manage and maintain partner relationships as the main point of contact and conduit to KDP.
Success Measurement
Show ability to support and lead negotiation dialogues with assigned partners
Use data-driven insights to drive speed to decision-making.
Manage assigned budgets working in conjunction with cross-functional partners.
Set high performance standards, measures for success and adjust plan to deliver against growth agenda.
Demonstrate Leadership and Secure Alignment Across the Organization
Gain alignment from key stakeholders as needed, integrate and collaborate with creative teams, brand, sales, cross-functional, team and agency partners to execute plans.
Embrace an agile mindset to deliver on growth priorities with speed through adaptability, agility and innovative approaches.
Work proactively with assigned Sales Teams to provide appropriate asset mix to drive the business
Cultivate a High-Performing Team
Deploy general manager mindset to support the development of assigned brands’ strategic sponsorship initiatives to deliver our business objectives
Help drive and maintain the unique KDP culture; own personal development to grow in our organization.
Create an inclusive environment and inspire others to take action through authentic leadership, passion, and commitment to winning.
Bachelor’s degree with a major in Marketing or related field.
Minimum three years of marketing and/or industry experience with a Fortune 500 CPG corporation, a Major League Team or a Sponsorship / Entertainment agency
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience delivering presentations to senior leadership.
Astute budget management skills.
