Marketing Manager (Senior) at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose

• The Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing Manager role is an integral part of a team specialising in strategic sponsorships and experiential marketing initiatives. This includes managing and conceptualising cross functional sports and lifestyle events and initiatives, consumer engagements, and other marketing extensions. This position is expected to deliver creative solutions that foster lasting relationships that resonate with consumers and the broader South African community. We are looking for a leader to develop programmes and implement cutting-edge ideas that reflect our company’s innovative spirit. The position requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and to help identify unique opportunities to deliver against business objectives, while carefully tracking budgets and results.

Responsibilities

To manage and deliver sponsorship & experiential marketing by:

Functioning as a thought leader with significant knowledge of all aspects of sponsorships & experiential marketing, including cutting-edge techniques to engage and excite the consumer.

• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape (strengths, weaknesses and opportunities), including digital and social media to inform all existing activity and/or inspire the development of new executions and experiences.
• Monitor consumers, competitors and culture trends. Listen, learn and mine insights that will direct the brand. 

Develop creative strategies as well as seed ideas based on marketing strategy, messaging and objectives.

• Create conceptual content and deliver it in a compelling way in order to achieve buy in from various stakeholders.
• Lead integration amongst the various marketing, advertising and PR partners to ensure consistent brand identification and exposure.
• Provide aesthetic oversight to projects, evaluate and select creative (art and copy) pertaining to the portfolios assets (brand ambassadors’ programme, sports and lifestyle events and initiatives, consumer engagements and other marketing extensions).

360° event/ project management from scheduling to real time execution.

• Oversee all event, marketing & project planning and estimates for project scope. Manage schedules and resource requirements.
• Develop and manage assigned project budgets ensuring programmes are properly budgeted, estimated, and scheduled.
• Develop and manage assigned project plans to ensure milestones are met to a high standard.
• Proactively direct and manage multiple assignments on time and on budget while always protecting and ensuring the Discovery and Vitality brands are held in the highest regard.

Deliver both internal and client-facing proof of accomplishment.

• Responsible for overall quality and presentation of project work and effectively developing and communicating marketing strategies and creative standards.
• Own post-mortem ROI evaluation/project/event follow-ups.

Areas of responsibility will include but are not limited to:

• Overall brand, sponsorship, project & event management.
• There is an emphasis on sports-related events, with a particular focus on mass participation events particularly for running and cycling.
• The role involves possible traveling to various events nationwide, and working hours will vary depending on the specific event schedule. This may require weekend or evening work.
• A passion and knowledge for all sports is essential as well as knowledge of the sponsorship landscape and industry..
• Co-ordination of suppliers, and communications to Discovery communities, including social media and PR management.
• Putting together strategies and business plans, as well as presenting and getting buy from senior leaders is essential.
• Liaising with advertising agencies, writing and managing creative briefs. Ensuring that briefs are met timeously.
• Ensuring that events are planned and executed appropriately, as well as dealing with crisis management.
• Managing the production of print, merchandise and promotional items for sponsorships.
• Managing procurement and budget control processes.
• Ensuring that all sponsorship queries are responded to timeously.
• Monitoring the implementation progress of experiential marketing plans for sponsorships.
• Production of monthly reports, status reports, project reports and ROI on sponsorships.
• Managing sponsorship queries and feedback - telephonic and written.
• Unpacking complex business needs and providing creative solutions considering all stakeholders.
• Create integrated solutions, which are consistent across all Discovery brands/businesses and communities and which meet best practice marketing and sponsorship principles.
• Ensure solutions are in line with Discovery’s marketing model.

Development and management of people by: 

• Coaching, guiding and developing direct report to successfully manage and market sponsorship properties.
• Build and maintain relationships with key business people, both at a strategic and operational level.

Proactive by:  

• Bringing ideas & innovation to the business.
• Measuring impact and drive corrective action.
• Ensuring effective implementation of plans.
• Managing conflict.
• Be responsive to business needs.

Competencies

• Strategic thinker
• Flawless execution 
• Lateral thinker
• Influence and persuade people to get things done
• Experienced negotiation skills
• Excellent presentation skills to sell ideas
• Multi-task projects
• Leadership skills: guide, develop and motivate others
• Effective decision maker
• Solve complex problems
• Build trusted partnerships
• Manage trade-offs
• Instill confidence in others
• Communicate well in English (written and verbally)
• Attention to detail

Attributes

• Empathetic
• Diplomatic
• People and relationship focused
• Sociable
• Team Player
• Trustworthy
• Resilient
• Able to work under pressure and provide answers and direction to others
• Flexible and adaptable
• Tenacious and persistent
• Dynamic and energetic
• Driven
• Passionate
• Have initiative, be a self-starter
• Naturally inclined to work hard
• Action oriented (doer)
• Solution driven
• Detail oriented
• Ability to think outside the box

Education and Experience

• Minimum 3-year undergraduate degree (marketing or communication focused)
• Minimum 10 years of experience in marketing, sponsorships and events coordination/ management
• Relevant industry experience
• Post graduate qualification in marketing preferable