Associate Director, Sponsorship Marketing (12 Month - contract)

Associate Director, Sponsorship Marketing

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP's global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It's what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role, it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media's shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire Transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

GroupM Sports + Entertainment is an award-winning division of GroupM. Our mission is to help brands connect with consumers through their favorite 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 GroupM Sports + Entertainment. 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

The Associate Director, Sponsorship Marketing will lead the work output and own the relationship with a selection of GroupM Sports + Entertainment 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 GroupM 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 GroupM. As such, candidates should be familiar with 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:

• Strategic, creative, and innovative thinker
• Proven brand and/or account management skills demonstrated to create, maintain, and enhance business/sponsorship strategy priorities
• A track record of problem-solving (ideally across a variety of companies/industries)
• Innate ability to think creatively when developing strategic recommendations, considering client objectives and key insights
• Experience with partnership evaluations and partnership negotiations
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal. Skilled at effectively communicating information and ideas in written and verbal format to internal and external stakeholders
• 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
• Lead 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.
• Provide POV, strategic, and creative input into the development of programs initiated by client partners.
• Responsible for contributions to new business including organic and new initiatives:
• Establish a deep knowledge of the clients to proactively identify ways to build business
• 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:

• 5-7 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
• Established network across the sport, media, and other related industries preferred

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, and we're just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. 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. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.