Partnership Manager - Sports, Culture & Entertainment

BACKGROUND

RISE Sport | Culture | Entertainment (SCE) is one of the GCC’s leading sponsorship consultancy.

With offices in Dubai, UAE and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KSA), RISE specialises in providing data-driven, sustainable sponsorship services to some of the region’s leading brand and rights holder clients. Our current client roster includes the likes of the Saudi Pro League (KSA), Ministry of Sport (KSA), Ministry of Culture (KSA), Riyadh Art (KSA), Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (KSA), Saudi Equestrian Federation (KSA) and The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Due to some recent client wins, RISE SCE is seeking to expand the team in our Riyadh office through the appointment of a Partnerships Manager.

The successful candidate will join as a member of our brand activation team, responsible for managing the day-to-day partnership activations of a client’s national and regional sports and cultural sponsorship initiatives (primarily focusing on football and Arts partnerships). This position will work closely with the Account Director of the account on all strategic planning and execution

They will be passionate about the SCE industry and have an understanding of sponsorship, its role in the marketing mix and impact it has on brand strategy.

Agency Services: sponsorship consulting, brand activation, hospitality, content, digital, and social media marketing

Assets: GCC rights holder–owned-and-operated media properties and live sports and lifestyle properties

ROLE DESCRIPTION

RISE is looking for a highly motivated Sales & Partnerships Manager to join our Partnerships/Sales team to work on some of our most exciting and fastest-growing accounts.

This will be a fast-paced role with multiple priorities, and we are looking for someone who is a solid time manager, multi-tasker, and strategic thinker.

This position will play a key role in managing a client’s sports and cultural sponsorships. You will work with teammates to create, evaluate and design exceptional brand activation programs, leveraging best-in-class sponsorship practices to deliver award-winning campaigns.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Sales & Partnerships Manager will manage the day-to-day partnership activations of a client’s sponsorships.

Typical responsibilities include:

● Responsible for the day-to-day management of a client’s commercial partners and sponsors.

● Interface with other Account Team members, clients and all relevant stakeholders to support sponsorship initiatives.

● Participate in the development and implementation of sponsorship initiatives, including customized programs/promotions.

● Help manage the sponsorship measurement and return-on-investment process.

● Manage client-partner relationships and coordinate necessary activation deliverables on behalf of the partner.

● Assist the project team with sales efforts to develop the partners portfolio and line-up of sponsors.

● Ensure that all contractual obligations of the client against partners are being met and delivered on time.

● Interface and manage the internal creative team – writing creative briefs, assisting with the preparation of creative presentations, and ensuring that the client’s brand is accurately represented.

● Liaise/interface with other agencies, stakeholders and internal RISE divisions as necessary.

● Support sponsorship tactical implementation/coordination at all events where agency staff is needed.

● Manage the client-property approvals process on behalf of the client

● Participate in sponsorship contract negotiations

Note: Semi-frequent travel or after-hours work is required, including some weekends for client events

We’re looking for someone who is excited by the prospect of working on award-winning sponsorship accounts and passionate about being part of a high performing team and being integral to our agency. You are also confident, motivated, have excellent attention to detail, and looking forward to working in the industry.

CRITERIA

● Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

● 4-5 years of agency or client-based sponsorship account management experience. Specific disciplines could include sponsorship marketing, event marketing, and/or sponsor servicing.

● Football-specific experience preferred/is a plus.

● League/team experience and understanding of the business of sports, sports media and sports marketing/sponsorship is highly preferred.

● Ability to manage the development and implementation of sponsorship marketing strategy on behalf of clients or companies.

● Ability to manage day-to-day relationships with client, agency(s) and vendors, as well as manage at least one (1) direct report supporting the same vertical.

● Experience with on-site event marketing operations and logistics.

● Experience with working with internal teams (account/creative) as well as other agency partners.

● Superior client relationship/service skills.

● Strong ability to think strategically and creatively.

● Ability to problem-solve independently and in groups.

● Excellent time management, written and oral communication skills.

● Proficient in PowerPoint, Excel & Word.

● Ability to travel at least 25% of the time