Senior Manager, Commercial Accounts (France)

The Senior Manager, Commercial Accounts will be responsible for successfully managing all partners who have sponsorship rights in France to meet annual revenue targets.

The role will require someone who possesses strong leadership skills with experience of working cross functionally and championing partner programs internally. Results will be measured against team performance, sponsorship revenue, activation, and satisfaction, along with increased and improved fan engagement metrics.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Exceptional Partnership Management:

• Develop relationships with existing NFL partners and be adept at resolving partner issues, thinking creatively and efficiently to reach solutions.
• Identify and contact key decision makers at C-suite level.
• Lead on local renewals process for Partners and support the team on upsells to meet revenue targets, collaborating closely with the global team to capitalize on available activation funds.

Support Revenue Growth through New Business

• Support Global New Business by providing market perspectives, identifying relevant local targets / contacts, and recommending / prioritizing white space opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with NFL Marketing and Consumer Products teams to develop integrated partnership solutions that align sponsor objectives with NFL fan growth and engagement priorities.
• Proactively identify opportunities and revenue streams including exploitation of traditional inventory and digital opportunities
• Analyze opportunities for growth in new areas to drive profitability and conduct regular analysis to mitigate any potential risks.
• Provide support using key sponsorship and valuation metrics during contractual discussions.
• Build innovative and tailored propositions that attract and convince potential sponsors to partner with the NFL.
• Manage local sales agencies ensuring they execute their scope of work and provide support as needed.
• Adopt a proactive approach to secure incremental revenue, working closely with the international team as well as Marketing and Consumer Products department.

Flawless In-Market Activation Execution

• Work with the Global Sponsorship Team, to ensure a consistent look and feel is achieved and a joined-up approach, where relevant is adopted.
• Manage local activation agencies to ensure they execute their respective scopes and provide support as needed.
• Lead and oversee the activation and asset development of key League priorities including International Games, and in-market tentpole activations (e.g., Kickoff Watch Parties, Super Bowl watch parties)
• Support Club Business Development with team activity and new partnerships, advising on local guidance based on local partner rights.

Serve as an In-Market Leader

• Oversee the partnership delivery program to ensure assets are available and inventory is being carefully managed.
• Actively provide feedback for continuous improvement based on market knowledge and executional requirements.
• Maintain strong marketplace knowledge about industry trends and company spend in sponsorship/ marketing.
• Act as a local expert on French consumer behavior, sports marketing trends, sponsorship innovation, and emerging fan engagement opportunities.
• Champion a marketing-first approach to partnership development by identifying opportunities where brand storytelling, content, and experiences can drive greater commercial impact.

Collaborate with and Manage Internal Stakeholders

• Provide updates to Country Manager, France, and US Global Sponsorship Team on day-to-day partner management matters, including efficient pipeline and status reporting.
• Successfully navigate through a complex matrix business with poise and maturity, whilst ensuring the best interests of the team and commercial partners are protected.
• Responsible for the discretionary commercial budget and reporting into, Country Manager, France, NFL Finance team and US Global Sponsorship Team regularly.
• Align with the reporting process internationally to ensure that all internal departments are engaged with NFL Partners and provide the necessary support to deliver against Partner objectives, with constant communication and collaboration.
• Foster the best possible professional relationships with Partners, agencies, internal stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Collaborate with other departments, including finance, legal, public relations, and marketing, to ensure the successful contracting and sign-off of any new program.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7 years’ experience in commercial, sales, partnerships or with agency
• 3 years management experience
• Fluent in French and English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Sports background
• Experience working within sports marketing, brand partnerships, consumer marketing, advertising agencies, media companies, or entertainment organizations
• League or Club experience
• Client management experience
• Sales/Revenue generation
• Additional language proficiency preferred.

Other Key Attributes / Talent Characteristics:

• Commercial marketer, with strong business acumen who understands how to connect fan passion, brand objectives, and revenue generation
• Communicates clearly and inspires the team through action
• Excellent organizational skills, multi-tasker, and confident presenter
• Proven evidence of planning, forecasting, and decision making
• Adept with research, evaluation and industry analysis tools and methodologies
• Self-reliant and able to work well unsupervised and demonstrate initiative, yet equally a team player who can follow instruction and support others
• Effective management and delegation
• Ability to develop direct reports’ skillsets and create career development paths.
• Understanding of a multi-faceted business operation
• Has a flexible and 'hands-on' approach
• Ethical and diligent with a strong personal commitment to deliver at pace.
• Works well under pressure adapting to tight deadlines and differing demands.
• Possess good judgement and behavioral maturity.
• Ambitious and hungry for opportunity

Physical Demands:

• Event execution

Travel:

• Up to 25% (within country/market & international)

Terms /Expected Hours of Work:

• NFL employees are required to work 40 hours per week.
• Some weekend/global travel work for hosting clients.