The Manager, Sports Partnerships & Activations will be an integral part of the Sports Marketing team, helping to build and execute the activation strategy, and leading the hospitality, operations and athlete partnerships for Bridgestone’s sports partnerships. In this role, you will work day to day with premier leagues and sports partners, national teams, the Olympic and Paralympic family of partnerships, and local partners. This is a hands-on role that demands speed, top-quality work, a willingness to relentlessly prioritize, and the creativity to bring new ideas. This role will lead strategy execution, day to day agency management, idea generation, and asset delivery across multiple stakeholders and contributors. Additionally, this role will help to build and deliver all hospitality-related events and programs in connection with key partnerships. This position will report to the Director of Sports Partnerships & Marketing and include frequent interaction with the Bridgestone Americas (BSAM) marketing and sales teams, senior leadership including the CMO, and key customers, agencies, and external partners.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and activate activation programs and asset utilization, working cross functionally with brand and content teams across Bridgestone’s sports partnership and relationships with the IOC/IPC, PGA Tour, Nashville Predators, and other national and local sponsorships.
Responsible for budget management and forecasting for department
Act as day-to-day contact for business and functional agencies responsible for delivering key sports and content initiatives within expected timeframes and on budget
Partner with brand, digital, and social teams to build and execute sports programming and activation.
Oversee sports marketing athlete strategy and execution including research, selection. contracting, communications, and logistics.
Assist with hospitality and event program development and execution.
Help build and integrate DE&I and sustainability into sports activations.
Lead the annual Bridgestone Olympic/Paralympic Apparel program and oversee other wearables and promotional items as required
Oversee Bridgestone Olympic & Paralympic Hub approval system for Olympic and Paralympic Rights Activation in BSAM.
Manage regular Olympic & Paralympic on-boarding and training program for newly engaged SBUs, regions, and partner agencies.
Provide high level of support and involvement with Team Bridgestone athletes
Assist with sports program analysis and measurement
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, sports, or communications.
5+ years of Sport marketing experience, with brand partnerships, leagues, teams, or agency partners.
Strong interpersonal, communications, and collaboration skills, and the ability to work across multiple teams. Must also have demonstrated cross-functional leadership.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage timelines and budgets
Experience managing agency partners and/or external vendors
Take charge mentality with a “roll-up-your-sleeves" orientation and serious commitment to accountability and ownership with the ability to problem solve/work effectively under pressure
Consistent track record in performing well in a fast-paced environment and interpersonal skills to lead multiple projects with tight deadlines effectively.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook). In addition, working knowledge of SAP a plus.
Able to travel as needed. This includes overnight travel, weekend and holiday travel, and potentially extended travel during major events.
