Partnerships Director - Sport & Entertainment

Publicis Sport & Entertainment (PSE) is part of Publicis Groupe, a global powerhouse in marketing and communications.

PSE delivers integrated solutions that connect brands with audiences through powerful, insight-led experiences — helping brands become more relevant by integrating into communities and culture. By uniting capabilities across strategic consulting, brand partnerships, content innovation, and cultural marketing, we drive meaningful engagement across sport and entertainment.

We have recently launched in New Zealand and working to collaborate with some of the country’s most iconic sporting codes, events and media partners to deliver cutting-edge sponsorship, content partnerships and activation programs for major brands.

We're looking for a commercially minded and culturally attuned Partnerships Director to help build Publicis Sport & Entertainment (PSE) in New Zealand. This is a rare opportunity to join a team at the beginning of its growth journey in New Zealand and play a pivotal role in building something new, with the backing, scale and resources of Publicis Groupe.

Working at the intersection of sport, entertainment, culture, media and brand marketing, you'll lead integrated partnership solutions for some of New Zealand's most recognised brands and most valuable rights holders. From sponsorship strategy and commercial negotiations through to branded content, media partnerships and activation, you'll be at the centre of work that shapes how brands connect with audiences through culture and passion points.

This is a career-defining opportunity for someone who wants genuine ownership, visibility and impact. You'll be empowered to shape client partnerships from strategy through to execution, influence the future direction of the business, and build your profile within a growing division. This role is ideal for a commercially minded project management professional. You will be equally comfortable presenting strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders as you are managing the day-to-day hands on delivery of campaigns and partnership programmes.

If you enjoy owning client relationships, identifying opportunities for growth, and have a genuine passion for sports, culture, and entertainment, we’re keen to hear from you!

What you’ll do.

• Strategic planning and execution that spans sponsorship strategy, rights management, activation, ambassador/athlete partnerships, branded content, media integration and events.
• Own relationships, driving year-round engagement and measurable outcomes alongside managing end-to-end delivery of our client’s Sport & Entertainment partnerships, ensuring campaigns run smoothly, on time and deliver on agreed KPIs.
• Manage project plans, partnership documentation, budgets, forecasting and financial reporting with a high degree of accuracy and accountability.
• Oversee campaign execution, ensuring programmes are delivered on time, on budget and against agreed objectives.
• Identify opportunities to grow client investment through strategic recommendations and innovation and contribute to the achievement of agency revenue and profitability targets.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with sporting bodies, production partners, media partners, talent managers, internal Publicis Groupe agencies, and client partners.
• Contribute to new business development and agency profile-building initiatives.
• Evaluate emerging opportunities across sport, entertainment, culture and content ecosystems. 
• Mentor new members of the team as they are onboarded, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability and collaboration.

What you’ll bring.

• 6+ years in a sponsorship, sports marketing or a content and media partnerships role, preferably within an agency environment.
• Strategic thinking and a self-starting mindset, with creative flair and a passion for sport, entertainment and culture - You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are comfortable rolling up your sleeves to get things done.
• Proven experience developing and delivering integrated partnership, sponsorship or content-led campaigns.
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, and act as a trusted adviser on partnership opportunities, market trends and performance outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to manage budgets, contracts, and reporting with confidence.
• Experience navigating complex partnership ecosystems involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to turn insights into commercially viable and meaningful integrated campaigns.
• Strong understanding of the full campaign lifecycle, from strategy and planning through to execution, reporting and optimisation.
• Outstanding presentation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and capable of managing clients and projects with deadlines.
• Solution focused and able to respond positively to change.
• Able to work independently and thrive in a team environment.

Why Join Publicis Sport & Entertainment?

• Join us at the start of an exciting growth journey in New Zealand, helping shape the future of Publicis Sport & Entertainment.
• Collaborate with some of the biggest names in sport, entertainment and brand marketing.
• Work with a passionate, values-driven team that thrives on creativity, collaboration and pushing boundaries.
• Be part of the Publicis Groupe network – one of the world’s most innovative and well-resourced agency collectives.
• Enjoy flexibility, personal development support, and a clear pathway for career growth.

Additional information

Be a part of the Publicis Groupe network, one of the world’s most progressive and dynamic modern communications businesses, enjoying all the perks that come with our network offering:  

• A comprehensive Wholeself program supporting Physical, Mindful and Financial wellbeing  
• A creative, fun and rewarding office environment backed up by our Publicis Liberté flexibility approach “working your way, with us!”  
• Access to our Global AI Platform, Marcel, connecting Publicis Groupe employees with opportunities for career mobility and collaboration across our global network  
• Extensive Learning & Development opportunities, including more than 15,000 learning programs via our online learning platform Marcel Classes 
• A culture of open feedback and support to reach your goals through our Career Conversations program   
• A committed Diversity, Equality and Inclusion strategy driven through our Viva! Women, Égalité, enABLE and Embrace (reconciliation action plan) programs   
• Work Your World program enabling employees the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world for up to 6 weeks per year  
• A workplace that stands together to provide a more open, supportive, and recovery-forward culture for all employees with life-threatening illnesses. Read more about our Working With Cancer Pledge - Homepage - Working with Cancer Pledge
• Inclusive leave policies such as Fertility Treatment, Menopause, Flexible Public Holidays, Gender Affirmation and Parental leave with up to 18 weeks paid primary carer leave and generous secondary carer benefits  
• Access to counsellors, psychologists, and professionals through Sonder - an all-in-on digital wellbeing technology platform designed to support psychological, medical & safety needs 

If you don’t tick every box in this ad, please don’t rule yourself out. Research suggests that women and other people in underrepresented groups tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. We focus on hiring people who share our values of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, fearlessness, and integrity, rather than ticking boxes – so if this role resonates with you, please apply. 

Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. More than just words, these are part of our DNA. At Publicis Groupe we are committed to the inclusion and recognition of all people; regardless of race, age, culture, ability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status and religious affiliation. We believe that to deliver the best solutions to our clients, our people need to reflect the diverse communities in which our clients operate in. We value diversity and the skills, knowledge and experience that difference brings to our culture and solutions. 

Uniqueness is powerful; without it we wouldn’t be where we are today. So be you – we like it that way.  

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for people with disability or those that require additional support throughout the application process.  If you need any assistance or adjustments, please contact us via [email protected] - your personal information will be kept confidential.