Partnerships Associate Director

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

WPP Media Sport & Entertainment (What we do)

In a fragmented media landscape, audiences expect brands to show up meaningfully in the spaces they love. Cultural relevance is a key driver of growth - and partnerships are one of the most powerful ways to earn attention with credibility.

WPP Media Sport & Entertainment is WPP Media’s cultural marketing powerhouse and specialist partner for sponsorship, entertainment-led partnerships and cultural engagement across the WPP network. For 15+ years, we’ve operated at the epicentre of Australian passion points - sport, music, fashion, gaming and entertainment - delivering partnerships that cut through and create cultural moments that matter.

We are part of WPP Media’s Content Ecosystem

• WPP Media Sport & Entertainment- cultural partnerships & sponsorship strategy
• WPP Media Influence- creator-led content & influencer partnerships
• Motion Entertainment- entertainment IP, production & content development

What sets us apart

• Global scale, local relevance: WPP network capability with deep ANZ cultural insight
• Integrated expertise: strategy + creative + commercial + delivery under one roof
• AI-powered precision: leveraging WPP Open and proprietary tools (e.g. Sports Engine)
• Proven track record: partnerships built for measurable outcomes and cultural impact

 

Role Overview
The Sports & Entertainment Associate Partnerships Director help support and drive the day-to-day output and senior delivery of partnerships across sport, entertainment, live experiences and cultural platforms. You will combine cultural intelligence, commercial rigour and operational excellence to create partnerships that are authentic, scalable, and measurable. This is not a transactional role. You will operate as an extension of client leadership - You will work closely with senior leadership to guide partnership strategy, manage key stakeholders, and deliver best-in-class outcomes across the WPP network, rights holders, and suppliers.

 

What you’ll do 

Client Leadership (Partnership strategy & stewardship)

• Manage day to day client relationships across new and existing partnerships; be trusted counsel on sport & entertainment opportunities. Escalating where required.
• Support translating business challenges into partnership-led solutions that drive measurable outcomes.
• Lead and support responses to briefs and renewal planning with WPP specialists (strategy, creative, social/influence, production).
• Ensure all deliverables align with brand strategy, values, guidelines, approvals, and stakeholder expectations, in consultation with leaders.

Partnership Management (End-to-end delivery excellence)

Manage partnership delivery across rights holder and media ecosystems, including:

• Contract & asset oversight (governance, tracking, fulfilment)
• Activation & production planning (timelines, flighting, run-sheets, shoot attendance & oversight, asset approvals)
• IP & talent rights coordination (usage, clearances, compliance)
• Event activations & logistics (on-ground delivery; occasional travel)
• Reporting & optimisation (performance updates, learnings, next steps)
• Maintain clear and accurate project documentation (WIPs, trackers, budgets, presentations, status reporting).

Commercial & Operational Excellence

• Manage budgets, forecasting, invoicing, supplier set-up, reconciliation and financial reporting.
• Support scope-of-work development and ensure strong delivery quality.
• Negotiate and assist in optimising value with rights holders/media owners and manage day to day coordination.
• Co-ordinate with legal/procurement to manage contracts, compliance, and risk controls, working with Director.
• Anticipate issues (delivery, approvals, reputational/crisis) and escalate with recommendations.

People Leadership

• Support and guide team members (direct reports as applicable); oversee workflow, resourcing and performance.
• Demonstrate clear communication, high standards, and calm solutions focus delivery under pressure.
• Build a proactive, collaborative culture across internal teams and external partners.

 

Skills & Experience

• Strong experience in sports partnerships/sponsorships (and ideally entertainment partnerships) within an agency, brand, rights holder or media owner environment.
• Strong stakeholder management, confident with day‑to‑day client contacts and able to support Directors on senior stakeholder engagement.
• Expertise in partnership contracting/asset governance and activation delivery across multiple channels.
• Commercial acumen: budget management, value tracking and supporting negotiation processes.
• Excellent written and presentation skills; high attention to detail; calm, solutions-focused operator.

 

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