Director, Sponsorship Consulting

Job Description:

MKTG S+E is a global agency that harnesses the power of sports and entertainment for brands. For over 20 years, we've ignited fandom and innovated activation in the world of sports and entertainment to make something worth noticing, engaging, liking, sharing and remembering. We leverage deep INSIGHTS and our network of seasoned & creative team members to create IMPACT between properties, fans & brands. MKTG S+E is a part of the broader dentsu Sports International network. 

MKTG Sports + Entertainment is seeking a strategic and client-focused Director, Sponsorship Consulting to help lead one of the agency's largest and most high-profile NFL sponsorship portfolios. Reporting to the VP, Sponsorship Consulting, this position will be based in MKTG's Cincinnati, Ohio office.

The Director will play a key leadership role overseeing a portfolio of NFL partnerships, helping clients maximize the value of their sponsorship investments through strategic planning, partnership activation, and performance optimization. This individual will collaborate closely with clients, NFL stakeholders, and internal agency teams to deliver innovative programs, strengthen partner relationships, and drive measurable business results.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute sponsorship strategies, activation plans, and account growth initiatives for key client partnerships across NFL properties.
• Serve as the primary strategic advisor and day-to-day client contact, providing counsel on partnership investments, activation performance, and business objectives.
• Drive annual planning cycles, rights evaluations, measurement frameworks, and optimization recommendations to maximize sponsorship value.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with NFL teams, league stakeholders, rightsholders, talent representatives, vendors, and agency partners.
• Oversee the development and execution of integrated sponsorship programs spanning experiential, content, social, talent, hospitality, promotional, and digital activations.
• Partner cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure flawless program delivery, budget stewardship, and alignment with client objectives.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Support business development efforts through pitch development, strategic recommendations, and participation in agency growth initiatives.

Qualifications:

• 6+ years of experience in sponsorship consulting, partnership marketing, sports marketing, or a related field.
• 4+ years of direct NFL sponsorship consulting, partnership marketing, or sponsorship management experience, preferably within an agency environment.
• Proven track record managing complex, high-profile sponsorship portfolios and integrated marketing programs.
• Experience advising clients on sponsorship strategy, rights negotiations, activation planning, and partnership measurement.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple stakeholders, including clients, rightsholders, teams, leagues, and agency partners.
• Prior experience leading teams, mentoring colleagues, and contributing to talent development.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Sports Management, Business, or a related field.

Skills & Competencies 

• Sponsorship strategy and partnership marketing 

• Client relationship management 

• Team leadership and development 

• Strategic planning and problem solving 

• Project and budget management 

Work Environment 

Travel is expected for client meetings, sponsorship activations, league events, team meetings, and planning sessions as needed. 

Additional Information 

The annual salary range for this position is $82,500-$103,000. Placement within the salary range is based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. Additionally, this position is eligible for discretionary incentive compensation. 

Benefits available with this position include: 

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance, 

• Life insurance, 

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance, 

• 401k, 

• Flexible paid time off, 

• At least 15 paid holidays per year, 

• Paid sick and safe leave, and 

• Paid parental leave. 

At dentsu, we believe great work happens when we're connected. Our way of working combines flexibility with in-person collaboration to spark ideas and strengthen our teams. Employees who live within a commutable distance of one of our hub offices, currently located in Chicago, metro Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York City, are required and expected to work from the office three days per week (two days per week for employees based in Los Angeles). Dentsu may designate other Hub offices at any time. Those who live outside a commutable range may be designated as remote, depending on the role and business needs. Regardless of your work location, we expect our employees to be flexible to meet the needs of our Company and clients, which may include attendance in an office. 

Dentsu also complies with applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. For further details regarding Dentsu benefits, please visit www.dentsubenefitsplus.com. 

To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply" button at the top of this job posting. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and qualified candidates will be contacted for next steps. 

#LI-CP1 #LI-MKTG

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