Sports & Entertainment Partnerships Manager

Sports & Entertainment Partnerships Manager Introduction

IBM is redefining what’s possible at the intersection of technology, sports, and entertainment—helping fans experience the moments they love in smarter, more connected ways. From golf and tennis to motorsports, football, and music, IBM technology powers the data, insights, and storytelling that bring these experiences to life.

We are seeking a dynamic, results-driven Partnerships Manager to join our team. This role will be pivotal in leading IBM’s UFC and Fantasy Football partnerships, while supporting other programs across our Sports & Entertainment portfolio. You’ll play a key role in developing and executing activation strategies that drive brand awareness, client engagement, and business impact for IBM.

• Lead partnership activations for UFC and Fantasy Football across paid, owned, and earned channels, as well as B2B hospitality programs, to enhance IBM’s brand visibility and engagement in line with strategic priorities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hospitality, marketing, communications, and technical program teams to ensure consistent storytelling and successful execution.
• Manage agency and internal partners to deliver best-in-class activations—including advertising, social, case study videos, on-site experiences, and event collateral.
• Track, analyze, and report on partnership performance, using insights to inform and optimize future activations.
• Oversee large-scale sports and entertainment budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation, compliance with internal processes, and on-target spending.
• Represent IBM externally within the sports and entertainment partnership industry to strengthen relationships, stay ahead of trends, and advance IBM’s leadership in client experience.

Master’s Degree

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Management, or a related field (MBA or relevant certifications preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in brand, experiential, or sports marketing with a proven record of delivering high-impact campaigns.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across teams and leadership levels.
• Strong project management skills, able to balance multiple priorities, partners, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical and data-driven mindset, using insights to inform creative strategies and measure performance.
• Experience with sports sponsor ships, activations, and event execution, ideally across global or enterprise-scale programs.
• Creative problem-solver with a passion for storytelling and innovative marketing solutions.

Mid-Senior level

Full-time

Business Development and Sales

IT Services and IT Consulting