Brand Lead Innovation and Partnerships

This role is for a highly creative and connected Senior Manager Innovation and Partnerships to drive the EPDM zone's partnership strategy. This role will be responsible for leading large TTL campaigns on partnerships, building the 3-year partnership roadmap, leading global iconic sponsorships, and managing brand partnerships through associations (with creator strategy and leveraging earned media). This person reports into Julie Veryser, Sr Director Brand Building.

Key Responsibilities

• EPDM Strategic Roadmap: building the partnership strategy and pipeline (vision board and outreach) and building the 3-year EU partnership roadmap (Sports, Entertainment, Music, AFH connection).
• Global Lead: iconic partnerships and global sponsorship opportunities within sports and entertainment.
• End-to-End Execution: lead the entire partnership lifecycle – from outreach and creative concepting (together with our creative agency) to commercial negotiations and global toolkit distribution.
• Impact Measurement: define KPIs for partnership success to understand brand and commercial impact within a short term and longer term time horizon.
• Agency Management: oversee specialized partnerships (tbc), PR and media agencies to amplify collaborations across social and traditional media.
• Brand Partnership Associations into Creator Strategy: Building on the 'Cultural Flywheel' together with our internal cultural agency, the Kitchen i.e. turning partnerships into social conversation and earned talkability.
• Mentorship: mentorship responsibilities within the team.
• Key KPI’s: sub-category innovation brand growth, campaign adoption and partnerships in pipeline to execution.
• Scope: across EPDM, with a high potential for global scale.
• Stakeholder Management: global team collaboration (including VP, global CMO) to make global opportunities happen.
• People Management: tbc – depending on need.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• 10+ years of marketing experience in a global FMCG company.
• Brand Partnerships expertise: 5+ years senior experience in establishing multi-year, large-scale opportunities.
• Brand Management: significant experience in understanding brand equity, brand architecture, innovation and multi-category brand management.
• Proven track record of defining brand identity and executing marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness.
• Cultural navigator: strong awareness of what is resonating in culture to drive cultural relevance and earned media, but also where the biggest commercial and brand opportunities lie.
• Negotiation skills: expertise in navigating complex IP licensing, talent contracts, legal implications, and multistakeholder agreements.
• Content deployment: Ability to develop comprehensive brand guidelines and playbooks for consistent market activation.
• Stakeholder management: strong communication and collaboration skills with an ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Media channel experience: experience with integrated campaigns (TTL) across media channels.

Professional Attributes

• Communication Skills – Excellent interpersonal skills to take care of all kinds of different collaborators.
• Confident / Ability to give pushback – Go-getters who are not easily thrown off their game.
• Resilience – Ability to bounce back after a disappointment or setback.
• Ability to Simplify – Skills to provide simple solutions dealing with sophisticated challenges.
• Commercial Sense – Seeking opportunities to expand business and build savings while over-delivering targets.
• Analytical – Ability to translate complex data into simple solutions.
• Result driven – Focus on what’s best for the company.
• Curiosity, positivity & passion – Known as the driver of the team.
• Project management skills – Organized and structured with an overview of all deliverables.
• Networking skills – Constantly expanding your network.
• Empathy – Known for emotional intelligence and understanding customers.
• High pressure – Energised by a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Team player – Achieving results together with teammates.

What We Offer You

• An ambitious employer; we only want the best for you.
• A fast career track like only a few other companies can match.
• A competitive salary and excellent bonus structure (above market); at Kraft Heinz we strongly believe and live by ownership and meritocracy.
• A hybrid working model; based on a modern, adaptable, and agile workplace culture.
• A wide range of discounts with Kraft Heinz’s partnerships on fashion, electronics, travels and many more!
• If you have an idea, please let us know, and we can set it in action!

Location(s): London – The Shard. Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.