Partnership Activation Manager

Genuine Parts Company; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Genuine Parts Company, doing business as NAPA, is seeking a strategy-driven leader to oversee activation and execution of NAPA partnership initiatives. You will manage brand content, events, and stakeholder engagement across the sponsorship portfolio to deliver measurable customer impact.

The role requires deep experience in sponsorships and sports partnerships, with strong leadership and communication skills to align internal teams and external partners across North America.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Oversee and implement the strategy, branding, and execution of NAPA partnership activations.
• Directly interact with partners to coordinate all elements of customer engagement with NAPA.
• Provide brand and creative direction for externally produced content with agency partners.
• Translate customer insights into marketing strategies and engagement plans within sponsorships.
• Initiate and manage the sponsorship marketing and events schedule to meet deadlines and requirements.
• Develop relationships across the NAPA system to deliver value through partnerships.

Skills

Partnership activation

Brand marketing

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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. Since 1928, GPC has set the standards for performance and value for our customers and our stakeholders. Today, we’re proud to say we’re the largest global auto parts network and a leading industrial parts distributor, one that offers rewarding careers that combine small company feel with a global scale. Our strengths are in the relationships we build and the value we deliver by merging local expertise with a global force.