Senior Manager: Sponsorships - Johannesburg at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To manage Group sponsorship properties in alignment with brand and marketing strategy and objectives. Additionally, you will oversee the efficient and effective implementation thereof and be responsible for creating compelling and commercially viable brand experiences

Job Description

Strategic Planning and Thought Leadership:

• Support Head of Sponsorships in integrating the overarching Brand, and Marketing & Communication Strategy into the sponsorships agenda.
• Work and collaborate with rest Group Marketing and Communications to drive and ensure integrated marketing and internal / external communications.
• Manage sponsorship plans in line with the strategic direction of the group.

Marketing campaign & sponsorship execution:

• Develop integrated marketing campaigns that change consumer perception, improve consideration and drive business outcomes.
• Select and execute sponsorship properties against Group and business unit strategic agenda.
• Execute Group sponsorship properties to the agreed strategy, while driving synergies and integration with the marketing and business objectives.
• Use Sponsorship properties as a platform to build and drive a single minded campaign view.
• Identifying the appropriate marketing channels to drive sponsorship initiatives, and ensure optimal placement.
• Work with the Product and Channel marketing teams to identify commercialisation opportunities

Project Management:

• Collaboratively define, coordinate and lead the successful execution of the Sponsorship properties
• Establish and articulate project scope, strategy and objectives on the sponsorship properties
• Work closely with Head of  Sponsorship  in driving all aspects of sponsorship project s, including (but not limited to): 
• Meeting deadlines, contingency planning, approval channels, procedures, budgeting, monitoring and governance etc.
• Oversee the channel mix roll-out from initial concept to finished product and execution
• Plan and use internal and external resources effectively to ensure maximum ROMI
• Research, plan and evaluate project impact at various intervals (pre-, during- and post project reviews)
• Manage risk and compliance

Stakeholder Management:

• Build and maintain positive and collaborative working relationship across the business and with external parties
• Network and interact with various internal and external stakeholders to promote and drive integration
• Liaise closely with and manage third party supplier relationships to adhere to good governance  ensure adherence to agency SLA’s

Risk Management:

• Ensure that processes, control requirements and risk management frameworks that have been designed in accordance with the Sponsorship standard are adhered to
• For audit findings that have an impact on the area, work with the Head of Sponsorship to understand what actions are required to close out findings. Implement required actions.
• During scheduled audits and management assurance reviews, ensure that all information required by the auditors are provided timeously.
• Log all Risk and Loss events as a result of error or fraud highlighted in the department. Ensure that the issues are thoroughly investigated and closed or escalated as per policy.
• Ensure that the team understands all compliance requirements and highlight gaps to the Head of Business Development.
• Monitor Sponsorship governance compliance is adhered to by team members requesting sponsorships
• Ensure that all regulatory requirements are adhered to.

People Management:

• Assist and support the Head of Sponsorships with People Management activities where required
• Encourage frequent knowledge sharing between team members.
• Assist determine and analyse development needs for the team and ensure that identified training requirements are budgeted for and executed.
• Interview and recruit new members of the team, including determining appropriate compensation levels with input from Human Resources.
• Motivate team members and ensure that their efforts are recognised.

Education and experience:

• B Degree in Commerce or equivalent NQF 7 level qualification
• Minimum of 10 -12  years’ experience in  retail, FMCG and  banking Marketing with at least 3 years at a Senior Marketing / Group Marketing Manager level

Knowledge and skills: 

• Business Planning & Financial Management
• Strategic brand management
• Branding and advertising (traditional and digital)
• Project management
• People management and capacity planning
• Budget management
• Research and trends analysis
• Consumer behaviour and insights
• Risk Management (Legal, reputational, operational, etc.)

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Marketing (Required)