Partnerships Manager

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. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working. For more information, visit wppmedia.com . About WPP Media Sport & Entertainment In a fragmented media landscape, audiences expect brands to show up meaningfully in the spaces they love. Cultural relevance is a key driver of growth—and partnerships are one of the most powerful ways to earn attention with credibility. WPP Media Sport & Entertainment is WPP Media’s cultural marketing powerhouse and specialist partner for sponsorship, entertainment-led partnerships, and cultural engagement across the WPP network. For 15+ years, we’ve operated at the epicentre of Australian passion points—sport, music, fashion, gaming, and entertainment—delivering partnerships that cut through and create cultural moments that matter. We are part of WPP Media’s Content Ecosystem: WPP Media Sport & Entertainment – cultural partnerships & sponsorship strategy WPP Media Influence – creator-led content & influencer partnerships Motion Entertainment – entertainment IP, production & content development Role Summary and Impact The Sport & Entertainment Partnerships Manager supports the planning, delivery, and optimisation of partnership activity across media partnerships, entertainment, live experiences, and cultural platforms. You combine deep cultural awareness, strong organisational skills, and operational excellence to ensure partnerships are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard. You are a trusted day‑to‑day operator for internal teams, media, production partners, and clients—ensuring smooth workflows, clear communication, and strong delivery. This role reports into the Partnerships Director - Sport & Entertainment and is part of the engine room that ensures world‑class executions and high client satisfaction. Three Best Things About This Job: Culturally Impactful Work: Help deliver partnerships across Australia’s most culturally powerful passion points (sport, music, fashion, gaming, and entertainment). Diverse Portfolio: Work across a rich mix of content, activations, live experiences, talent, and Intellectual Property (IP). High-Visibility Execution: Be part of the engine room that ensures world‑class campaign execution and client satisfaction. Core Responsibilities Client & Internal Team Support Manage Day-to-Day Communication: Act as the primary day‑to‑day contact for clients on assigned projects, managing expectations and escalating issues to the Associate Director when necessary. Deconstruct Briefs: Translate client briefs into actionable deliverables, detailed timelines, and clear project next steps. Develop Pitch & Renewal Materials: Support the team in developing high-quality responses to client briefs, renewal proposals, and partnership pitches. Protect Brand Guidelines: Ensure all agency and client output strictly aligns with brand guidelines, approval processes, and stakeholder expectations. Partnership Delivery (End-to-End Management) Cultivate Key Relationships: Build strong, trust-based relationships with clients, media partners, and production teams to deliver high-quality partnership campaigns. Asset & Rights Coordination: Coordinate and track partnership assets, intellectual property rights usage, and specific contract deliverables. Workflow Execution: Manage project timelines, run‑sheets, media flighting schedules, and physical production requirements. Support Physical Activations: Support content shoots, creator invo…