Senior Partnerships Manager (12m FTC)

We help brands make BOLD MOVES. Nowadays, brands want rapid, spectacular growth and they expect media to deliver it. Clients used to give us media briefs that said “deliver 80% awareness” or “give me an impactful Christmas campaign.” Now we hear “Take me from 4th to 1st in my category” “Help me grow 10% in a market declining 10%” “Make me the most loved brand in my industry.” These are huge asks of media that can’t be met through tweaking the media plan of two years ago. Decades of advertising research prove that without a big change, large brands stay large and small brands stay small. This is why Zenith helps brands make BOLD MOVES. Bold moves are big, brave changes to media strategy, delivering more impact for brands and more value for consumers. Bold moves are backed up with a solid forecast – they are a better path to growth. Bold moves build a partnership – we believe in this approach so much we link our growth to your success. Bold Moves bring bigger ROI. This approach works for our clients, our people and consumers – it’s why we are recognised as the UK’s best media agency.

Our Commitment

At Zenith UK, we believe that fostering an inclusive culture where all talent can thrive makes our company stronger. It enables a greater idea exchange, which fosters innovation and creativity, and enriches our perspective. We are committed to Publicis Groupe’s wide variety of talent engagement and inclusion programming, and encourage our people to take an active role in continuing to drive positive change within our agency.

Job Description

Reporting into the Partnerships Director, you’ll create and deliver impactful branded content partnerships across a range of clients, sectors, and media channels. You’ll own the end-to-end delivery of campaigns across sponsorships, product placement, and advertiser-funded programmes (AFPs), ensuring they run smoothly, on time, and against agreed KPIs.

What you’ll do:

• Develop strategic branded content partnerships that respond to client briefs and business objectives.
• Project manage integrated partnerships across sponsorship, AFPs, and product placement.
• Challenge media owners to deliver innovative, high-quality solutions aligned to client KPIs.
• Negotiate best value across partnerships, ensuring deals are structured in the client’s best interest and align with pricing agreements.
• Support new business pitches with creative ideas and research when required.
• Deliver clear, insightful reporting to inform future campaigns.
• Line manage and develop a Partnerships Executive, setting clear roles, responsibilities, and milestones.
• Manage day-to-day client relationships, lead status meetings, and escalate issues when needed.
• Build strong relationships with clients, media owners, and internal teams to support growth and retention.
• Create cost plans and manage budgets, ensuring financial accuracy and compliance with billing processes.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience delivering branded content partnerships across multiple media channels.
• Strong creative, project management, and negotiation skills.
• Structured, process-driven approach with experience using research and measurement tools.
• Ability to analyse campaign performance and deliver insightful reports and PCAs.
• Strong relationships with media partners.
• Comfortable working at pace under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing budgets and mentoring or managing team members.

Benefits

Zenith UK has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Plans we also offer:

• WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS - Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well-being and self-care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS 24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level. Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT. Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES We provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity, Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP.