Manager, Partnership Marketing

About WPP Media:

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.

Department Overview:

The Sports + Entertainment team is an award-winning division of WPP Media. Our mission is to help brands connect with consumers through their favourite 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;

• Partnership Marketing
• Media Integrations and Partnerships
• Influencer Marketing
• Content Marketing
• XM

Partnership Marketing is an important function within the value proposition of the Sports + Entertainment team. 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

Role Overview:

The Manager, Partnership Marketing will lead the work output and own the relationship with a selection of WPP 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 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 WPP Media.  As such, candidates should be familiar in 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: 

• Aptitude for critical thinking; demonstrated ability to think creatively and analytically 
• Experience with brand and/or account management  
• Skilled problem-solver  
• Ability to think creatively when developing strategic recommendations, considering client objectives and key insights 

• Strong communicator both written and verbal.

• 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.  

Education and Experience:

• 3-5 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

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. 

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