Business Director, Partnerships

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.

With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth.

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale.

Clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

Role Summary and Impact

The Manager, Development is a key role within WPP Media Sports & Entertainment, responsible for delivering outstanding creative, content, and partnership solutions across a defined client portfolio.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Development, this role sits at the intersection of brands, culture, and media, driving the day-to-day development, planning, and activation of best-in-class content and partnership campaigns.

You will respond to client briefs, manage campaign delivery, and build strong relationships with clients and partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with clients to handle requests professionally, timely, and accurately, building effective relationships.
• Act as a specialist advisor to clients and partner agencies, maximising partnership and content opportunities within the sports and entertainment space.
• Support the Director, Development as a trusted strategic partner for key client accounts, championing sport, entertainment, and culture in driving brand growth.
• Respond to client briefs with innovative creative and content solutions spanning branded entertainment, sponsorships, sport, influencer campaigns, digital, social, experiential, radio, talent, and TV partnerships.
• Collaborate with partners – media owners, rights holders, production companies, talent and creators – to develop best-in-class partnership campaigns that meet client business needs.
• Contribute culturally resonant ideas that deliver tangible brand and business results, connecting brands to major entertainment ecosystems.
• Identify and embed emerging products and capabilities based on industry trends and client needs.
• Lead end-to-end planning and activation of content and partnership campaigns, from brief response through to delivery and reporting.
• Collaborate with wider WPP Media Sports & Entertainment teams to generate creative executions and effective campaign delivery.
• Apply performance frameworks that demonstrate the business and cultural value of entertainment-led work, using data and insight to continuously refine solutions and report ROI.
• Develop expertise in WPP Media Sports & Entertainment's processes and commercial model.
• Support delivery of commercial targets by contributing to organic growth within your client portfolio.
• Partner with the Director, Development to identify opportunities for client expansion and integration.
• Provide oversight and support to junior team members, contributing to their development and day‑to‑day output.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture prioritising creativity, innovation, and commercial excellence.
• Maintain proactive relationships with partners and stay informed of innovations in the sports and entertainment landscape.
• Work closely with Development colleagues and specialist disciplines to deliver integrated client solutions.
• Share learnings, case studies, and best practice across the wider Sports & Entertainment community to drive consistency and excellence.
• Leverage WPP technology and media systems to maximise efficiency and effectiveness across the development process.
• Core Skills
• Effective Communication – lead clear dialogue between technical and non-technical stakeholders, present complex information concisely, and challenge ideas constructively.
• Relationship Management – cultivate, nurture, and grow relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking & Planning – use analytics, data, and market knowledge to solve client challenges and adjust plans to emerging trends.
• Creative Idea Generation – facilitate the creation of new ideas and creative solutions to client briefs.
• Partnership Management – own content and partnership campaigns from start to completion, applying best practices.
• Multitasking & Prioritisation – adapt to rapid changes, balance multiple projects, and maintain focus on deliverables.
• Technical Skills – knowledge of media and campaign management systems such as Media Explorer, Prisma, AURA, WPP Open, or equivalent platforms.

Experience & Skills

• 4–7 years’ experience in creative, content, partnerships, or sponsorship roles – ideally within a major agency network, media owner, or entertainment/sports business.
• Demonstrated experience responding to client briefs and delivering content and partnership campaigns across multiple channels and formats.
• Solid understanding of the branded entertainment, sport, and cultural marketing landscape.
• Strong creative instincts paired with growing commercial awareness.
• Experience managing or working with junior team members.
• Confident engaging with clients and partner stakeholders professionally and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• What Success Looks Like
• Client briefs answered with innovative, high-quality creative and content solutions that exceed expectations.
• Campaigns delivered on time, on brief, and demonstrating measurable brand and business impact.
• Strong, trusted relationships built with clients, partners, and internal teams.
• Junior team members supported and growing in capability and confidence.
• Recognition as a reliable, creative, and commercially minded contributor within WPP Media Sports & Entertainment.
• Life at WPP Media & Benefits

We create an open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes competitive medical, group retirement, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination. This UK‑based role requires the right to work in the UK.

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