Associate Director, Sports & Live

ROLE SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Associate Director, Sports

Reporting to: Director, Sports

Location: New York

About WPP

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.

• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.

• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

About Wavemaker: A Leading WPP Media Brand

Wavemaker positively provokes growth for clients by reshaping consumer decision-making and experiences through media, content, and technology. Our name is both our mission and our method. We do our best work for brave brands and people who relish being challenged to go further and faster, together.

About The Role

Are you a dynamic and experienced leader with a passion for sports and entertainment partnerships, eager to drive strategic initiatives for a key client? WPP Media’s Sports & Entertainment practice is seeking an exceptional Associate Director to oversee critical brand partnership initiatives for a fast-paced brand.

This pivotal role demands a proven leader who can inspire a team, while also serving as the primary lead for all soccer partnerships across league, teams, talent and governing bodies and other strategic sport partnerships. You will be instrumental in shaping the vision and execution of a brand’s presence in the dynamic sports and entertainment landscape, translating complex challenges into actionable strategies, maximizing brand impact, and delivering measurable results. We are looking for a hands-on strategic operator who fosters excellence and drives innovative solutions across a wide-ranging partnership portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Diverse Partnership Portfolio Oversight

• Lead the strategic planning, negotiation, and activation of an extensive portfolio of sports and entertainment partnerships for the client’s soccer portfolio and other strategic partnerships.

• Manage all aspects of the partnership lifecycle, including opportunity identification, agreement structuring, and execution of deliverables.

• Ensure seamless integration across media, experiential, content, and talent channels to develop holistic and impactful campaigns.

• Continuously optimize partnership value, monitor performance, and implement strategies to maximize ROI and achieve measurable results aligned with client objectives.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong senior client relationships as a trusted advisor and strategic partner.

• Collaborate seamlessly with internal teams (media, content, analytics) and external partners (leagues, teams, properties, talent agencies) to deliver integrated solutions.

• Present proactive strategic recommendations and performance insights clearly and persuasively to drive client growth.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of sports and entertainment marketing professionals.

• Foster a culture of proactive thinking, continuous improvement, and excellence by driving professional development, identifying growth opportunities, setting clear objectives, conducting regular reviews, and ensuring the team is equipped with up-to-date industry knowledge and strategic capabilities.

Qualifications