Associate Director, Sports & Entertainment Partnerships

3084 - Associate Director, Sports & Entertainment Partnerships- UK

Role Summary and Impact

Overview

The Associate Director, Client Development plays a key role in the day-to-day leadership and delivery of client work within WPP Media Sport & Entertainment.

Working closely with the Director, Client Development, this role is responsible for the management and development of key client accounts — ensuring the successful delivery of creative, partnership, and content solutions across sport, sponsorship, influencer, entertainment, and cultural marketing.

You will lead the day-to-day running of client projects, coordinating internal teams and external partners to deliver high-quality work that drives measurable results for clients.

The Associate Director is a central connector across teams — working with project management, specialist disciplines, and partners to ensure seamless delivery and consistently excellent client service.

Our team culture is what drives us. We have a passion to deliver the very best work we can for our clients and to support each other as much as we can to help us all achieve that goal. We care about the work we do but more importantly we care about each other.

Key Responsibilities

Client Account Leadership

• Manage the day-to-day running of key client accounts within the portfolio.
  • Act as a primary client contact for assigned projects and workstreams.
  • Build strong working relationships with clients through consistent delivery and communication.
  • Support the Director, Client Development in identifying opportunities for account growth and development.
  • Ensure client needs are understood and translated into clear briefs for internal teams.

Project & Partnership Delivery

• Lead the development and execution of partnership, sponsorship, branded entertainment, and influencer activations.
  • Coordinate internal teams and external partners to deliver high-quality campaigns and content.
  • Ensure projects are delivered efficiently, on time, and within agreed budgets.
  • Maintain strong attention to detail and quality control across all deliverables.

Collaboration Across Teams

• Work closely with specialist teams across sport, influencer, partnerships, and entertainment disciplines.
  • Collaborate with project management teams to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of client work.
  • Support integration with wider WPP agencies and partners to deliver joined-up solutions.

Creative & Commercial Support

• Contribute to the development of creative ideas and partnership solutions for clients.
  • Support the Director in developing proposals and responses to client opportunities.
  • Help identify opportunities to expand client activity across sport, entertainment, and cultural marketing.
  • Ensure ideas and proposals are aligned to client objectives and deliver commercial value.

Client Service Excellence

• Maintain high standards of responsiveness, organisation, and professionalism in all client interactions.
  • Ensure clear communication between clients, partners, and internal teams.
  • Proactively manage timelines, expectations, and delivery milestones.

Measurement & Learning

• Support the evaluation of campaign performance and partnership effectiveness.
  • Work with data and insight teams to ensure reporting and learning are captured for clients.
  • Use insights and results to inform future client work and improve delivery.

 

Skills and Experience

• Experience in account management, partnerships, sponsorship, or content roles within an agency, media, sport, or entertainment business.
  • Experience managing client projects and multi-partner campaigns.
  • Strong organisational and project management capabilities.
  • Understanding of sport, entertainment, sponsorship, influencer, or cultural marketing ecosystems.
  • Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong client communication and presentation skills.
  • Commercial awareness and understanding of how client work drives business growth.

 

What Success Looks Like

• Client projects run smoothly and are delivered to the highest standard.
  • Clients experience excellent day-to-day service and clear communication.
  • Campaigns and partnerships deliver measurable results and strong creative output.
  • Internal teams work effectively together through strong coordination and leadership.
  • You are recognised internally as a reliable leader of complex client work.

 

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. 

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days. 

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process. 

 

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide. 

While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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