Account Director, Partnerships

Who We Are: 

160over90 is an award-winning global marketing agency which forges stronger human connections and creates shared moments where people feel something real. With 800 thinkers, doers, and makers across every cultural corner of the world, the agency offers a full-service, channel-agnostic approach and a deep connection to the people, places, and properties that drive the conversation of tomorrow. 160over90 works with leading brands including AB InBev, Amazon, Coca-Cola, DP World, Macy’s, Marriott International, McDonald’s, Verizon and Visa. 160over90 is part of WME Group, a global representation business comprising the world’s leading talent, intellectual property and brands.

The Role and What You’ll Do:

The Account Director will advise and manage the client’s large sponsorship portfolio – predominantly in college sports and soccer - and spearhead a new sponsorship vertical.  This person will seek to elevate the programming and drive strong ROI, making themselves an expert in the current sports business landscape in order to keep the client informed when relevant to their business. The Account Director will regularly lead communication with key client personnel as well as take ownership of select tentpole properties/programs.

• Interacting daily with corporate clients, properties and multiple agencies/vendors to support sponsorship initiatives
• Developing sponsorship strategy and implementing strategies for clients, including negotiating necessary contractual partnership terms, overseeing assets and third-party vendor involvement, internal/external communications, promotions and onsite activation
• Developing sponsorship activation ideas and execution plans based on client objectives/budget
• Negotiating property and player/Talent deals
• Providing industry insights & sponsorship/property analysis, including incremental opportunities, valuations/assessments, and managing the measurement and reporting duties
• Leading evaluation and a POV of new sponsorship opportunities
• Comfortable presenting to senior level client and ability to develop executive-ready presentations
• Will supervise 2 employees

You Have These:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Business, Marketing or related field
• Experience and passion for college sports and soccer
• A minimum of 10 years of agency or client-based (preferred) or property/event sponsorship/other relevant marketing experience
• Prior experience managing a team/individuals
• Prior experience with sponsorship contract negotiations
• Familiarity and experience with measurement, research, valuations and developing insights
• Experience working with sports & entertainment properties and sponsorships
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with senior client management experience
• Proven track record in developing and implementing creative solutions to marketing challenges
• Ability to lead the development and implementation of marketing programs with a cross-functional team
• Ability to manage day-to-day relationships with clients and other divisions within 160over90
• Intellectual leadership, a problem-solving aptitude, and strong analytical/strategic thinking skills
• Excellent time management, written and oral communication skills
• Enthusiastic and flexible team-first player with a proactive approach
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of client-service deliverables without sacrificing quality 
• Proficient in MS Office Suite       

How we work:

WME Group is at the center of sports, media, entertainment and is a largely relationship-based business. To foster an environment of collaboration, develop our future talent, and build on relationships across leadership, peers, and teams, we work from the office 4 days per week. This position is based in Chicago.

Don’t meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the range shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. The company strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.

Hiring Range Minimum:

$105,000 annually

Hiring Range Maximum:

$140,000 annually