Partnership Activation Manager

NAPA Auto Parts; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Manager of Partnership Activation at NAPA Auto Parts will oversee day-to-day activation and customer engagement for select partners within the U.S. partnerships portfolio.

The role drives cross-functional collaboration to develop integrated activation plans that align with racing and motorsports business goals. They will lead strategies for brand content, hospitality, media, merchandise, and talent coordination, translating customer insights into effective activation campaigns and measurable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business/marketing or related field.
• Minimum 5 years work experience, ideally with a focus in sponsorship, brand marketing/media and partnerships.
• 2-3 years’ experience managing sports partnerships (league/property).
• Brand and/or agency experience preferred.
• Experience within the North American sports landscape, preferably motorsports.

Responsibilities

• Oversee activation strategy, branding, and execution of NAPA partnerships.
• Coordinate customer engagement elements across partners: content, hosting, media, merchandise, and talent.
• Advise stakeholders across the system on sponsorship activation including agency partners, teams and sponsor partners.
• Manage sponsorship marketing and events schedules and deadlines.
• Provide brand direction for externally produced creative content with agency and sponsor partners.
• Translate customer insights into marketing strategies for sponsorships.
• Create activation plans and present them to NAPA leadership.
• Track, analyze, and report key program metrics against objectives.
• Propose tests and new spaces for the NAPA brand.
• Develop relationships across the NAPA system to deliver value through partnerships.
• Represent NAPA in the sports industry to deepen relationships.

Skills

Sponsorship Activation

Brand Marketing

Partnership Management

Cross-functional Leadership

Project Management

Stakeholder Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The NAPA U.S. Partnerships team manages multiple legacy and emerging partnerships in racing, sports, and entertainment, aligning the NAPA brand with top assets across multiple disciplines in North America. The Manager of Partnership Activation will oversee the day-to-day activation and customer engagement of specific partners within the NAPA portfolio. In addition, this manager will drive key business initiatives within racing and motorsports to develop new business opportunities and growth. They will spearhead cross-functional teams (internal and external) to manage and measure fully integrated activation plans to drive organizational business results.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee and implement the strategy, branding, and execution of NAPA partnership activations, bringing NAPA assets to life for core customers in new and meaningful ways.
• Directly and independently interact with partners to coordinate all elements of customer engagement with NAPA in the context of our partnerships. This will include (but is not limited to) brand content and creative, customer hosting and hospitality, media and social media, promotional items and merchandise, and talent coordination.
• Advise, support, and proactively communicate with stakeholders across the system regarding sponsorship activation including agency partners, teams and sponsor partners, regional field teams, internal sales teams, category teams, vendors, suppliers and individual store owners.
• Initiate and manage the sponsorship marketing and events schedule to plan and coordinate efforts and ensure all deadlines, materials, and other requirements are met.
• Provide brand and creative direction and feedback for all externally produced creative content with agency and sponsor partners.
• Translate customer insights and research into marketing strategies and customer engagement plans within the sponsorship space.
• Create and present activation plans in a strategic, clear manner to NAPA leadership.
• Partner in the collection, analysis and reporting of key program metrics against set objectives.
• Propose strategies to test & learn within new, emerging spaces for the NAPA brand.
• Develop relationships across the NAPA system to better understand business goals and deliver value through our partnerships portfolio.
• Represent NAPA within the sports industry to deepen company relationships and knowledge and be on the cutting edge of customer and fan engagement strategies.

Core Competencies

• Deliver Results and Drive Customer Success: Commit and focus on outcomes to deliver results and make the customer the center of decisions.
• Effective communication: Motivate and inspire others through clear and proactive communication. Expresses oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others and prioritize an accessible and transparent style in all forms of communication.
• Develop and Support High-Performing Teams: Consistently engage with their leader and team to collaborate on innovative solutions, encourage diverse perspectives, and hold each other accountable; Build and maintain positive and productive relationships; Actively contribute as a member of working teams to deliver results.
• Embody GPC Values: Enhance the foundation of GPC. Model and uphold the values of candor, openness, and honesty regardless of internal or external pressure. Act consistently with Genuine Parts Company’s ethical guidelines and organizational core values and beliefs.
• Think Strategically and Make Balanced Decisions: Forward thinker, combines disciplined data-backed decisions and fresh, logical ideas to position the business to win.
• Professional Credibility: Take responsibility for meeting goals, objectives, and obligations; Demonstrate creativity, initiative, and good judgment while representing the mission, vision and values of the organization.

Education And/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business/marketing or related field required
• Minimum 5 years work experience, ideally with a focus in sponsorship, brand marketing/media and partnerships
• 2-3 years’ experience managing sports partnerships (league/property)
• Brand and/or agency experience preferred
• Experience within the North American sports landscape, preferably motorsports

Other Requirements

• Position requires a flexible schedule and the ability to travel 10-25% of the time, weekends included
• Passion for racing and the surrounding cultural space, with a drive to position NAPA as the leader in the automotive space
• Ability to manage a hybrid working schedule, with a minimum of 4 days spent at NAPA HQ each week
• Ability to work autonomously, moving projects forward in an efficient manner with minimal oversight
• Proven track record leading partners, cross-functional teams, and agencies; strong leader with ability to collaborate with colleagues across various disciplines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to present ideas effectively to both small and large groups
• Strong measurement and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; creative design skills and knowledge are a plus

GPC conducts its business without regard to sex, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, status as a veteran, or any other protected characteristic. GPC's policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, assign, transfer and terminate employees based on their own ability, achievement, experience and conduct and other legitimate business reasons.