We are seeking an experienced Associate Director to join a leading sports and entertainment agency in the Middle East.

This is a senior client-facing role, leading a major account and working across a range of projects and sports properties. You will take ownership of the day-to-day client relationship, provide strategic consultancy around sponsorship strategy, and oversee the planning and delivery of sponsorship activations.

The successful candidate will bring strong client management skills, proven experience within the sponsorship industry and a genuine passion for the sports and entertainment sector.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Middle East and wider international team, with travel between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region as required.

The role will include line management responsibility and will suit an experienced sponsorship professional who is comfortable operating at both a strategic and delivery level.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Account Management

• Lead the client relationship and day-to-day account management.
• Develop strong relationships with key client stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Lead client strategy updates, project planning and account development.
• Effectively lead regular project and status meetings with clients and internal teams.
• Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, task tracking and other key account documentation.
• Manage internal and external ideation sessions and creative development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, rights holders and suppliers.
• Oversee the implementation of all aspects of account activity, including:
  • Sponsorship rights delivery
  • Live event delivery
  • Digital and social strategies
  • PR and communications
  • Guest management and hospitality
• Attend client meetings and provide subject matter expertise where required.
• Lead collaboration across different areas of the wider business to ensure high-quality client servicing and delivery.
• Identify opportunities to add value and develop existing client relationships.
• Line manage and support members of the account team.

Strategy & Consultancy

• Play a key role in the development and delivery of strategic projects for client accounts.
• Provide strategic and consultancy expertise across other client accounts where required.
• Contribute to new business opportunities, particularly where strategy and consulting expertise is required.
• Provide insight and strategic input during the early stages of new client opportunities.
• Identify trends, opportunities and emerging developments across the sports and entertainment landscape.

Requirements:

We are looking for an experienced sponsorship professional with a strong understanding of the sports and entertainment industry.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience within sports sponsorship, brand partnerships, experiential marketing, sports marketing or a related field.
• Strong strategic and commercial thinking.
• Proven experience managing senior client relationships.
• Experience leading complex projects from strategy through to execution.
• Strong understanding of sponsorship activation and rights management.
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing and developing junior team members.
• The ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders and deadlines simultaneously.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and strong attention to detail.
• A genuine passion for sport, entertainment and culture.
• Experience working across the Middle East, particularly the UAE and/or Saudi Arabia, would be advantageous.
• Flexibility to travel within the region and internationally when required.

What We Offer:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing international sports and entertainment environment, working with major brands, properties and stakeholders across the region.

You will have the opportunity to work on high-profile sponsorship and activation projects, collaborate with an international team and play a key role in shaping strategic partnerships within the Middle East.

We are committed to fair and unbiased recruitment procedures and provide all applicants with an equal opportunity for employment. Applications are assessed based on relevant skills, experience, education and suitability for the role.

Thank you for your application.  Only suitable candidates will be contacted.

Please note that by applying to this role, your profile will be searchable in our database.  Our Recruiters will contact you should another suitable role become available.