Senior Director, Brand Marketing

About the position

Excel Sports Management is seeking an experienced Senior Director, Brand Marketing to advise a key corporate client on their sponsorship and sports marketing investments by providing end-to-end solutions, including strategy, negotiation, activation, implementation, and partnership execution. This person will lead the development of league, team and ambassadors strategies, oversee partnership management and execution, and provide expert counsel across key sports territories.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management of Excel’s Brand Marketing client’s sponsorship activation and marketing initiatives, with a focus on the fashion industry, managing women’s professional basketball portfolio inclusive of league, team and talent management.
• Lead relationships with the league’s partnership and activation teams and provide oversight across the broader team & talent portfolio ensuring seamless integration and brand alignment.
• Build and maintain positive client relationships that result in enhanced partnerships and increased opportunities for Excel.
• Interact daily with clients, their internal creative team and all appropriate agencies to bring ideas to life, maintain consistent storytelling, and manage sponsorship programming initiatives.
• Lead the direction and development of integrated marketing strategies including developing creative platforms and new consumer engagement activations ranging from VIP events, styling moments, gifting and game day activations, to content campaigns, and tentpole moments.
• Provide portfolio analysis, identifying relevant opportunities that yield strategic recommendations for clients.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of materials that support individual sponsorship initiatives, including the development of creative elements, preparing marketing activation presentations and other materials to be distributed to clients.
• Build, sustain, manage, and reconcile budgets, along with providing client budget updates along each step of the process.
• Manage direct reports, ensuring we’re providing flawless client-service and a second-to-none agency experience.
• Manage internal resources and vendors to ensure the highest standard of work is consistently delivered.
• Attend and participate in staff events which may include some nights and weekends.
• Travel to client events as necessary.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years of direct experience in sponsorship marketing or brand marketing strategy and activation at a brand, property or agency.
• Experience in basketball, women’s sports, and/or fashion industry is preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing sponsorship marketing strategy and activation on behalf of client or company.
• Account management expertise, managing day-to-day relationships and deliverables for clients.

Nice-to-haves

• Deep understanding of sports marketing (women’s sports is a plus) and account management with brands that have investments across sports.
• Background and/or a passion for fashion, with an eye for cultural moments, styling, and storytelling.
• Passionate about creative ideation including bringing fresh ideas and collaborative energy to the table, developing, and finishing the job all the way through.
• Willing and eager to go above and beyond, help his/her teammates, coachable, curious, inquisitive, flexible, and multi-faceted.
• Curious brand marketer that has multi-channel experience across a variety of different disciplines.
• Ability to self-start and work within a small team and dynamic organization.
• Exceptional communicator (written and oral) who overdelivers and strives to impress everyone around him/her with work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond.
• Experience managing day-to-day relationships with clients, agencies, and vendors.
• Strong sense of ownership, ensuring goals are met and high-level standards are upheld.
• Able to think strategically, creatively, and problem-solve independently (and in groups).
• Excellent time management and ability to multitask effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Proficient in PowerPoint, Excel, and Word and the technical/computer skills to create and deliver client presentations.
• Goal-oriented, results-driven and able to maintain composure under pressure.
• Able to communicate and connect effectively and personably, recognizing the need to adjust communication style according to the audience.
• Proactive and productive, recognizing opportunity and implementing procedures to achieve better job efficiencies.
• Driven to increase industry knowledge and work to stay ahead of the curve.
• Uncompromised ethics, integrity, and discretion with company and client information.
• Engages in internal activities (team building, events, off-sites, etc.) and embraces internal culture.
• Ability to travel frequently and work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits

• The pay range for this position is $160,000 - $185,000 per year.
• This position is also eligible for benefits and discretionary bonus.