Manager, Partnership Activation

Role Overview

The Manager of Partnership Activation is accountable for overseeing all activities related to partners, ensuring the delivery and implementation of all sponsorship contract obligations. This role involves cultivating and maintaining robust relationships with existing partners to facilitate renewals and retainment, while striving to enhance the support and service provided to corporate collaborators.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver exceptional service standards to all current corporate partners.
• Coordinate, plan, and implement all contractual sponsorship components for each partner.
• Design and develop programs targeted at achieving partner objectives effectively.
• Serve as an internal consultancy resembling a sponsorship agency, both for the organization and its clients.
• Manage partner KPIs by tracking objectives, measuring ROI/ROO, and analyzing media exposures and promotional valuations.
• Formulate a yearly partner activation strategy aligning with the commercial partnerships team and organizational goals, including creating innovative activation initiatives and co-branded marketing opportunities.
• Lead efforts around upselling and renewing contracts with designated corporate partners.
• Establish and nurture enduring client relationships by understanding each partner’s business intricacies and supporting their marketing goals through organizational assets.
• Organize and coordinate VIP hospitality, exclusive experiences, and special events tailored for partners.
• Engage in interdepartmental meetings and provide leadership with consistent progress updates.
• Ensure all collateral materials featuring the club’s branding undergo appropriate approval for accurate usage, such as sponsor artwork, media copy, scripts, videos, and online content.
• Generate partner account recaps, assist with compiling proof of performance and research, and lead recap meetings for assigned clients.
• Support on-site partner activations during all home games.
• Carry out any additional duties as assigned by leadership.

Candidate Requirements

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree is mandatory.
• At least three years of extensive integrated marketing experience, preferably with proven success in media, sports partnerships, sponsorship fulfillment, or entertainment sectors.
• Familiarity with Major League Soccer and international soccer is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Spanish is considered a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication capabilities for effective interaction with clients, senior executives, and operational teams.
• Capacity to juggle multiple tasks efficiently and solve daily challenges creatively.
• High level of organization and meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong commitment to teamwork and a proactive approach to completing tasks.
• Experience in managing complex projects and deadlines effectively.
• Knowledge of marketing, promotional activities, event organizing, and game day production is preferred.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite, especially PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.