Manager Sponsorship Account Management

Team: Sponsorship

Activity: Full-time

Role grade: Manager (6)

Direct reports: 0

Indirect reports: 0

Reporting to: Senior Manager Sponsorships

Role location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Purpose: As the Manager, Sponsorship Account Management, you will serve as the primary commercial steward for the Esports World Cup’s most critical global and regional partners. You will move beyond transactional service to manage relationships at a Headquarters level, acting as a strategic consultant who translates partner brand objectives into a "360-degree" ecosystem of world-class activations. This role demands an international profile capable of navigating complex stakeholder maps and ensuring that every deal delivers mutual value and brand alignment.

You will orchestrate the cross-functional execution of sponsorship rights, managing the workflow across Marketing, Content, Broadcast, PR, Event Ops, and Digital teams to deliver campaigns that resonate with the gaming community. Responsible for retention and satisfaction, you will oversee the full lifecycle of the partnership, from onboarding and activation planning to performance tracking and renewal, ensuring the EWC remains a vital component of the partner’s marketing mix.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Partner Stewardship & Retention

• Serve as the lead operational point of contact for a portfolio of sponsors/partners, cultivating deep, trust-based relationships with brand stakeholders and their agency partners.

• Translate high-level contractual rights into bespoke activation strategies that align with the EWC brand, protecting the partner’s investment while ensuring community authenticity.

• Proactively identify opportunities to "plus-up" partnerships, driving incremental value through upselling assets or expanding the scope of collaboration into new verticals.

• Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and strategic planning sessions, presenting data-driven insights to secure long-term renewal and account growth.

Cross-Functional Activation Delivery

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of sponsorship rights, acting as the central hub between the partner and internal departments (Content, Broadcast, Production, Live Event, Social, Finance).

• Develop and own the "Critical Path" for all partner activations, converting broad objectives into detailed project plans, timelines, and cross-functional briefs.

• Coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder projects—such as branded docuseries, broadcast integrations, or physical on-site builds—ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and to spec.

• Troubleshoot operational bottlenecks and resolve conflicts in real-time during live events, serving as the guardian of the partner’s interests on the ground.

Creative Strategy & Content Oversight

• Collaborate with internal Creative and Content studios to generate "gaming-native" campaign concepts that resonate with the esports demographic and avoid community backlash.

• Provide consultative guidance to non-endemic brands (e.g., FMCG, Banking) on how to authentically engage with the esports ecosystem and navigate the speed of the industry.

• Oversee the approval process for partner-produced content and co-branded materials to ensure strict adherence to brand guidelines and IP rights.

Performance Reporting & Data Analysis

• Maintain rigorous documentation, including activation trackers, asset registers, and delivery risk logs to manage the high volume of assets.

• Utilize data and analytics tools to measure campaign performance (reach, engagement, sentiment) against agreed KPIs.

• Produce comprehensive Post-Event Reports (PERs) that clearly demonstrate ROI and value delivered, serving as the foundation for renewal conversations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Creative Industries, Sports Management, or similar.

• 5+ years of experience in sponsorship account management, brand activation, creative agencies, or esports/gaming ecosystem.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic Account Management: Ability to manage relationships at a senior/HQ level, understanding the corporate nuances of global conglomerates.

• Project Management Mastery: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex accounts simultaneously under strict deadlines and pressure.

• Industry Fluency: Deep understanding of the esports and gaming culture (teams, publishers, communities) is a distinct advantage; ability to learn quickly is mandatory.

• Communication: Elite written and verbal communication skills; able to articulate complex ideas to C-suite stakeholders and creative teams alike.

• Crisis Resolution: Proven ability to remain calm and solution-oriented during high-pressure live event scenarios.

• Language: Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in Arabic or Mandarin is a significant plus.

Benefits

• Relocation support

• Transportation allowance

• Competitive compensation

• Housing allowance

• VIP medical insurance

• Opportunity to work on a new exciting project with a group of passionate professionals. You will get the freedom to excel and make a real impact

Diversity disclaimer

Our mission is to build a diverse organization where our members, regardless of background or identity, have a sense of belonging. We genuinely believe that thanks to creating a collaborative environment where different perspectives are valued, we can achieve more. Together, we want to reshape the boundaries of what is achievable in the esports domain.

Compliance Notice:
Elevate Talent is working in partnership with Esports World Cup for this recruitment process. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your personal data will be collected, managed, controlled, and stored by both Elevate Talent and Esports World Cup in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations.