Activation Manager

JD GROUP; Bury; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

JD GROUP is looking for a Digital Activation Manager to enhance brand activations across the UK & EU. Responsibilities include leading teams, managing budgets, and delivering innovative, impactful activations in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should have a strong leadership background, proven experience in brand activation, and excellent stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in similar roles (3 years minimum).
• Strong people management skills with a proven track record.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on deadlines and standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning and execution of brand activations.
• Manage budgets and track performance ROI.
• Lead and develop junior team members.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication

Education

Degree in Marketing or related field

Job description

JD Digital Activation Manager

Fascia: JD

Responsible to:

JD Head of Activations UK & EU

Responsible for:

JD Activation Manager

Department:

Marketing

Location:

Bury

Hours:

40

Role Overview:

The Activations Manager at JD Sports is responsible for planning, executing, and managing UK & EU activations. Elevating the JD brand through premium 360 activations that deliver clear business results This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, brand partners, and agencies to deliver impactful activations that align with JD Sports’ strategic objectives.



Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• Activation Management: Oversee the planning, execution, and optimization of JD Sports activations, ensuring they meet performance targets and deadlines.
• Activation WOW: Best in call collaboration with cross-functional teams; JD brands & partnerships teams to plan and execute world-class activations that resonate with JD Sports’ target audience.
• Creative Insights: Stay informed on new & emerging industry trends, be the spokesperson in the team & lead the way on innovation for how we activate.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with all key internal teams, external agencies, and brand representatives to ensure seamless activation execution.
• Budget & Resource Management: Manage budgets for activations, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and staying within financial parameters.
• Reporting & Analysis: Track, measure, and report on the performance of activations to assess ROI and recommend improvements & opportunities for the team.
• Staff Management:Lead and develop junior members of the team. Report to the Head of Activation’s on the, planning and prioritise staff resource to meet objectives and project deadlines.
• Activation Execution:Lead the coordination of all activations, prepare and conduct all pre-event briefings for all staff attending upcoming activations; set clear objectives, roles & responsibilities as well as providing clear concise briefing documents.

Essential Experience & Skills:

• Extensive experience in a similar role at a fast-paced dynamic organisation (3 years minimum experience).
• A strong confident leader, with excellent people management skills & has experience in developing a successful team.
• Proven experience in delivering multiple brand activations; attention to detail & maintaining world-class standards, whilst delivering on time & in budget.
• Advocate for collaboration & best in class communications
• Financial experience in maintaining strict budgets; forecasting & reconciling in line with ROI.
• Detail-oriented self-starter with strong analytical & problem-solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder management, internal & external stakeholders at all levels systematically identifying stakeholders; analysing their needs and expectations; and planning and implementing various tasks to engage with them.
• Abilty to work alongside & manage external agencies/vendors from the initial briefing, research & negotiating phases.
• Flexible approach to work, the willingness to work evenings/weekends.

Personal Qualities

• Focused & driven individual, who proactively takes on initiatives & drives projects from end to finish
• Outstanding communication & interpersonal skills; with a flexible positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• Ability to inspire & motivate by maintaining a positive working attitude that brings an optimistic, can-do approach to all their tasks & responsibilities.
• Confident and outgoing personality, with a genuine interest in music, culture, sports, & fashion.

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree in Marketing, Project Management, Fashion Marketing, Event Management, or Marketing related field.
• Industry experience; leading global brand, retail sector or 360 agencies.
• Knowledge of social media and digital marketing channels.