• 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, and 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, and 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, and 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
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

Everyone wants easier ways to pay; we invent them. Checkout lines are slow; we speed them along. Merchants want more sales; we give them data and insights. People need financial access; we connect them. Corporate purchasing is complicated; we make it simple. Commuters are busy; we speed them on their way. Governments need greater efficiencies; we help create them. Small businesses are virtual; we give them access to a world of buyers. Retailers want to fight fraud; we provide the tools.