Director, Sponsorships

Mastercard•19h ago

United KingdomOnsiteFull-timeDirector Level10+ yrs exp

Apply now

Our Purpose Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. Title and Summary Director, Sponsorships Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships -Sports/ Football Overview The Sponsorships and Partnerships function in Europe owns the regional strategy, governance
performance of sponsorship investments, with accountability for delivering consistent, high impact activation, executional excellence
measurable outcomes across markets. The function operates as a regional center of gravity for sponsorship decision making, ensuring assets are selected, managed
activated to maximize brand differentiation, commercial return
long term enterprise value. The Director, Sponsorships and Experiential Marketing serve as the regional owner for sponsorship strategy and delivery, with end to end responsibility for portfolio performance across Europe. This role sets direction, establishes standards
drives alignment across local, regional
global stakeholders, ensuring sponsorship assets are deployed with discipline, scale
impact. The Director is accountable not only for execution, but for the business results sponsorships deliver, including brand strength, consumer engagement, partner value
revenue contribution. A core mandate of the role is to architect and steward a strategic portfolio of assets that clearly differentiates the brand in a competitive market
ensuring those assets are activated through integrated marketing, product
experience platforms that accelerate business growth. Sponsorships are treated as growth engines — tightly connected to product integration, issuer and merchant priorities
measurable consumer outcomes. The role also leverages sponsorships as a platform for category leadership, with Football serving as a flagship vertical across Europe. Through ownership of the football ecosystem — spanning clubs, leagues, federations
major tournaments — the Director positions the brand as a credible, influential
value creating partner within the sport, using scale, expertise
innovation to shape industry conversations and elevate regional leadership. Responsibilities You will be responsible for setting functional objectives within your area, delivering strategies
leading the work efforts of teams (internally and externally) that have a direct impact on the business. This position oversees a strategic portfolio of sponsorship assets and experiential platforms, capitalizing on consumer passions — with Football as a primary vertical — to influence behavior and drive profitability for Mastercard and partners.
Ensure the application of business and marketing priorities and the use of relevant data in the selection of sponsorship marketing partnerships, acquisition of rights, benefits, assets and incentives, with a strong focus on football ecosystems including clubs, leagues, federations, and tournaments
Ensure activation plans are aligned with segmentation, marketing, and business strategies to drive revenue and long term brand equity
Support the construction, evolution, and governance of the sponsorship marketing portfolio to support consumer, issuer, and merchant initiatives, anchored by Football as a lead passion point across Europe
Spot, anticipate, and leverage emerging consumer and cultural trends to refine segment strategies, prioritize consumer passions — including evolving football fandom and participation patterns — and gain efficiencies in sponsorship investments
Develop and execute sophisticated marketing solutions to support Mastercard marketing and business initiatives, including turnkey solutions for issuers and merchants, hospitality and CRM programs, premiums
other sponsorship management and delivery tools
Oversee on site activation and event delivery for priority sponsorship properties, including major football matches and tentpole events
Identify business development opportunities with issuers and merchants, in partnership with Partner Marketing, Services
Business Development teams, through the strategic application of sponsorship assets and the pursuit of new revenue streams
Lead the creation of offline and online content for product and marketing programs, leveraging synergies across marketing platforms and football led storytelling opportunities
Drive fully integrated activation of sponsorship properties within broader marketing campaigns, collaborating with key Mastercard functional groups including product, digital, corporate communications, media, and brand marketing
Support and contribute to the ongoing development of standardized metrics and measurement tools to assess the effectiveness and ROI of sponsorship investments and initiatives
Provide senior level guidance and best practices for property identification, negotiation
activation to maximize the commercial and brand impact of the sponsorship portfolio, with deep expertise in football partnerships
Manage compliance tools, charitable support programs, and work with the legal team on sponsorship/ambassador contracts, terms/conditions, consumer waivers and creative reviews.
Develop, manage, and maintain executive level relationships with front , middle , and senior line managers of select partners, property owners, and retailers, including senior stakeholders across the football industry
Manage the Sponsorship budget and deliver against annual revenue, performance, and budget goals
Ensure compliance with internal policies, procedures, and audit requirements related to sponsorship and asset management
Utilize consumer data and program results to continuously optimize program performance
Lead and manage external agencies responsible for the activation and delivery of sponsorship properties Experience / Qualification
10+ years of Global and/or regional sponsorships and promotions experience, preferably in the media, packaged goods or financial service industries (agency experience a plus)
Advanced skills in sponsorship management, event planning, event management and consumer activation
Direct experience in negotiating and optimizing sponsorship contracts
Direct experience with digital and social marketing and AI tools
Experience in building and managing a large sponsorship program with top national brands
Demonstrated expertise in activating sponsorships with consumers as well as B2B channels
Proficiency in budget management and financial forecasting
Strong problem-solving skills to identify critical issues and opportunities, evaluate options and provide clear recommendations for business and brand growth Education & Experience BA or MBA in Marketing/Finance preferred Skills / Abilities
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
Expert communication and presentation skills
Proven people management skills (cross-functional, internal and external agencies and properties)
Strong customer management and relationship skills
Strong negotiation & sales skills
Leadership and project management skills
Thrives in a fast-paced environment
Proficient in handling multiple projects at a time
Strong cross-functional team and relationship building skills
Knowledge of how to navigate through heavily matrixed managed organization
Strong leadership and influencing skills
Strong people and budget management skills
Willingness for occasional travel
Strong MS Office skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word) Corporate Security Responsibility All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must: Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices
Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed
Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

Required skills

Security