Senior Manager – Partnerships & Sponsorships Full Time NEW

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced and commercially-minded Partnerships & Sponsorship Manager to lead the acquisition, development, and management of sponsorship partnerships for the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship. The role is responsible for identifying and securing new partners, developing tailored sponsorship proposals, managing sponsor relationships, and ensuring the successful delivery of partnership rights and activations.

This role requires a unique combination of business development, marketing, and strategic thinking. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable engaging with senior decision-makers, developing compelling partnership concepts, and ensuring commercial viability and return on investment for both sponsors and the Championship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Sponsorship Strategy & Business Development

• Identify and pursue potential sponsors across a range of categories.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders and decision-makers within corporate organizations.
• Develop sponsorship pipelines and proactively generate new partnership opportunities.
• Lead negotiations and support the closing of sponsorship agreements.
• Ensure partnership packages align with the objectives of both the Championship and potential partners.

Proposal Development & Commercial Planning

• Tailor sponsorship proposals and presentations to specific industries and brands.
• Develop creative activation concepts and value-added opportunities that enhance sponsor engagement.
• Recommend sponsorship rights, benefits, and pricing structures.
• Assess the commercial viability of proposed partnerships and ensure agreements deliver mutual value.
• Support the development of sponsorship inventory and monetization opportunities.

Sponsor Relationship Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for sponsors throughout the partnership lifecycle.
• Build long-term relationships and identify opportunities for partnership growth and renewal.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure contractual rights and deliverables are fulfilled.
• Manage sponsor expectations and ensure a high level of service and satisfaction.

Activation & Delivery

• Oversee the implementation of sponsorship activations and branding opportunities.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations, and event teams to deliver seamless sponsor experiences.
• Ensure activations align with the Championship brand and audience.
• Monitor and evaluate partnership performance and provide post-event reports and recommendations.

Reporting & Commercial Performance

• Track sponsorship revenues and pipeline performance.
• Measure and report on sponsor exposure, engagement, and return on investment.
• Identify opportunities to increase commercial value and maximize revenue generation.
• Stay informed on market trends, sponsorship best practices, and competitor activities.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Experience

• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in sponsorship, partnerships, marketing, business development, account management, or commercial roles.
• Experience working with sports, events, entertainment, media, or large-scale platforms is highly desirable.
• Proven track record in securing and managing sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
• Experience engaging with senior corporate stakeholders and decision-makers.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop compelling proposals and tailor partnership solutions to brand objectives.
• Strong understanding of sponsorship valuation, pricing, and activation strategies.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Strong collaboration and cross-functional leadership skills.

SUCCESS MEASURES

• Sponsorship revenue generated.
• Number and quality of new partners acquired.
• Sponsor retention and renewal rates.
• Successful delivery of sponsorship activations.
• Sponsor satisfaction and relationship strength.
• Contribution to the overall growth and reputation of the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

We are looking for an energetic, relationship-driven professional who combines commercial thinking with creativity. The ideal candidate understands how brands make decisions, can translate business objectives into meaningful partnerships, and has the ability to build long-term relationships with senior stakeholders while delivering measurable value for sponsors and the Championship.