Manager, Marketing Partnership Management – Europe & Middle East

Overview

In this role you manage strategic NBA marketing partner relationships and oversee activation across a portfolio of global and regional partners. Based in London, you will travel within Europe and the Middle East as needed while contributing to upsell and renewal discussions. You work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver on sponsorship rights, activation plans, and performance reporting. This position offers a meaningful impact on commercial growth through strategic partnerships and world-class event activation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee fulfilment of partners’ sponsorship portfolios across the NBA and affiliates
• Lead day-to-day partner activation processes (planning, approvals, promotional development, media planning, budgeting, advertising creation, and event coordination, including international events)
• Serve as the day-to-day contact for partnership matters from activation strategy to rights delivery
• Support the Marketing Partnerships team with evergreen documentation and post-event reporting across the portfolio
• Provide partnership expertise through understanding contractual terms, partner goals, marketing strategies, and market developments
• Develop upsell opportunities with the team lead to support revenue goals while aligning with partner objectives
• Identify solutions to partner business challenges and resolve roadblocks
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners and lead agencies where applicable
• Build cross-functional relationships across NBA teams (Global Partnerships EME, International Markets, Media, Events, Legal, Marketing, Brand, Consumer)
• Oversee partner budgets and P&Ls
• Execute partnership goals and success metrics with measurement plans and regular reporting
• Lead partner management initiatives including engagement and touchpoint strategies
• Support overall commercial growth through cross-functional workstreams

Key requirements

• Strong understanding of marketing, promotions, sponsorship activation, events, media, rights, and content
• Proven ability to develop and implement marketing and event strategies for clients
• Excellent relationship management with senior executives and adaptable communication styles
• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong presentation skills
• Strategic thinker with ability to execute partner strategy and identify growth opportunities
• Strong financial and analytical skills with ability to create reports
• Proactive problem-solving and ability to unblock projects
• Highly motivated, collaborative self-starter in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Five years of professional experience in marketing, advertising, account management, brand management, or related field
• Experience supporting sales, upselling, renewal, or negotiation is advantageous
• Bachelor’s degree; Marketing, Sports Management, or related discipline preferred

• Relationship management
• Communication
• Presentation
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint

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