Senior Client Manager, Sponsorship & Consultancy

We are looking for a Senior Client Manager to join the MKTG team to work on delivering and implementing some of the most exciting collaborations in Sport and Entertainment.

As a Senior Client Manager in Sponsorship + Consultancy, your role is to lead in managing the client’s business and keep day‑to‑day activities running smoothly. You will support the wider team in delivery on accounts, manage the capabilities and team to ensure on‑time delivery and excellence in execution. This is a key role in driving collaboration internally and externally with the client and partners. This role will be responsible for leading and managing client relationships, activation plans, projects and client servicing across a set of industry‑leading football partnerships and football talent partnerships, with a particular focus on ambassador management.

Responsibilities

• Client Servicing / Account Management: Manage day‑to‑day client relationships. Own client connections and relationships. Understand the client’s business and the wider industry competitor set. Know what makes clients tick, how to make them stand out, and support them in achieving marketing goals. Lead by example on client service excellence. Adhere to excellent time management. Have ownership and accountability for client/account fees and activation budgets. Understand and report on the commercials of client responsibilities.
• Project Management: Effectively and efficiently manage retained client work and project work, including end‑to‑end project management, partnership rights and utilisation, merchandise, campaign planning, and activations across key moments of the season. Hold overall responsibility for ensuring the project delivers above client expectations. Be accountable for setting timelines, expectations, and meeting deadlines. Support Directors with the management of resources and workloads across designated projects.
• Administration: Ensure timesheets for self and direct reports are completed on time and accurately. Oversee and act as the key point of contact for finance‑related activities on the account. Report on account time on a monthly basis, working closely with the Director.
• Culture & Values: Lead key culture initiatives and demonstrate the importance of our culture & values to the junior team.
• New Business & Marketing: Support the new biz function by participating in new client proposals and pitch processes. Look to build opportunities from current clients and new clients across the business. Put together proposals and costings for small to mid‑size projects with support from Directors. Participate in regular thought leadership in written, presentation, and verbal format.
• Self‑Development: Be knowledgeable about the industry and strive for expertise. Ensure you understand and can confidently present sponsorship processes. Be curious and focus on personal development through team management and leadership training. Support junior members of the agency in developing their understanding of the industry and latest news.
• People Management: Act as a mentor and coach to direct reports to help them develop in their role and career, promoting an inclusive environment. Provide regular on‑the‑go feedback and structured one‑on‑ones focusing on performance. Discuss and agree clear performance objectives and L&D opportunities, supporting both business and personal ambitions, identifying strengths and weaknesses.

What We’re Looking For

You have the technical knowledge of sponsorships and partnership marketing, as well as attention to detail and drive to manage and develop existing activation programmes. You take pride in your work, thrive in managing projects, and are comfortable with strategic thinking to develop campaigns, activations and integrated marketing solutions. You also thrive under pressure, enjoy working on sports/events, and like to be part of a close‑knit team.

Proven, consistent experience in marketing, either agency side, client side or with a rights holder. Proven, consistent experience working on sport, ambassadors, music or entertainment sponsorships and activation programmes. Proven experience in managing talent and talent agents. Experience in football is preferred. Demonstrable experience in project management and client servicing excellence. A good understanding of the wider marketing landscape. Superstar project management skills. A strategic and logical thinker who can provide counsel to clients and suppliers in delivering best‑in‑class solutions. Acumen to look at business performance for our clients and how to measure sponsorship assets to make them more accountable. A team mentality, building high‑performing teams both through line management and brilliant project work.

Why MKTG Sports + Entertainment is the right place to do it

MKTG Sports & Entertainment is a global integrated agency that helps brands and rights holders move at the speed of fans. For over 20 years, we have ignited fandom and innovated activation in the world of sports and entertainment, strategising, creating and driving partnerships for some of the world’s biggest brands and emerging power brands. With one aligned goal – to make something worth noticing, engaging, liking, sharing and remembering.

We are part of Dentsu Sports International, a global sports network comprised of MKTG Sports & Entertainment and Dentsu Sports, a leading sports rights holder including federations, leagues, events, teams and venues.

Inclusion and Diversity

At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners and communities. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status or any other protected characteristic. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We recognize the importance of work‑life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements for all roles. If you need reasonable adjustments due to a disability or medical condition during the recruitment process, please contact accommodations@dentsu.com, quoting the reference number of the role that you are applying for. Your needs will be handled with respect and confidentiality to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.