Senior Communications Manager, Sports Entertainment Partnerships

Avature; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Communications Manager to lead global communications for their FIFA partnerships. This role offers a unique opportunity to craft impactful strategies that amplify brand visibility through high-profile sports events. You will collaborate with diverse teams globally, manage external agencies, and drive media narratives that resonate with football fans. If you have a passion for sports marketing and a proven track record in communications, this is the perfect chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in sports/entertainment communications, agency or in-house.
• Experience with global sports and ability to work in multicultural environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead global communications strategies for FIFA partnerships.
• Manage media coverage and cultivate media relationships.

Skills

Sports Marketing

Communications Strategy

Media Relations

Project Management

Cross-Channel Narratives

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing

Master's degree

Job description

* United States of America - Florida - Miami

* United Kingdom - Hampshire - Farnborough

* United States of America - North Carolina - Morrisville

Why Work at Lenovo

We are Lenovo. We do what we say. We own what we do. We WOW our customers.

Lenovo is a US$57 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #248 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world’s largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo’s continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere.

Description and Requirements

Role Overview:

Lenovo’s Corporate Marketing Group seeks a seasoned Senior Communications Manager with extensive experience and a proven track record in leveraging sports and entertainment partnerships to amplify global brand visibility. This role will primarily focus on leading communications for Lenovo's position as the official technology partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, while also supporting other key sports and entertainment initiatives. This newly created position offers an exciting opportunity to build a comprehensive communications strategy from the ground up. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with both Lenovo's core FIFA team and the global corporate communications team. Reporting to the Executive Director of Partnerships & Events based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and with a dotted line to the VP of Global Corporate Communications based in the UK, the role requires a driven self-starter with the ability to navigate a complex, global, matrixed environment and effectively partner with stakeholders at all levels. The ideal candidate will bring global experience and a multicultural mindset, gained through living, studying, or working in diverse environments. They must also demonstrate the flexibility to work beyond traditional hours to accommodate global collaboration and time zones.

Role Description:

1. Lead and execute global communications strategies and campaigns for Lenovo’s FIFA partnerships, targeting both external audiences and internal stakeholders.
2. Build and maintain a strong partnership with FIFA, balancing Lenovo’s objectives with those of the rightsholder.
3. Drive media coverage of Lenovo’s technology story through established media relationships and the cultivation of new ones.
4. Create cross-channel narratives (paid, earned, owned, and social) that showcase Lenovo’s technology through the lens of football fans.
5. Bring industry insights and expertise in sports marketing to enhance Lenovo’s communication strategy.
6. Collaborate across Lenovo’s communications network (business groups, regions, and markets) to seamlessly integrate FIFA partnership initiatives.
7. Inspire and manage external agencies and partners to deliver exceptional results within budget and scope.
8. Develop a measurement framework to evaluate the success of FIFA partnership communications, aligning with Lenovo’s broader reputation metrics.
9. Serve as a spokesperson for Lenovo’s FIFA partnership when necessary.

Required Qualifications:

1. Direct experience working with football (soccer) or similarly high-profile global sports, including live events, e-sports, or gaming, either on the brand or rightsholder side.
2. 10+ years of experience in a sports/entertainment communications role, either agency-side or in-house.
3. Global experience and mindset gained through living, studying, or working in multicultural environments.
4. Flexibility to work outside of traditional hours to accommodate global collaboration and time zones.
5. Ability to travel as needed to support global events.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Native or bilingual English speaker with exceptional oral and written communication skills.
2. Verifiable existing relationships with sports media professionals.
3. Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, and matrixed environment.
4. Skilled at influencing decentralized communications teams to drive unified results, with a focus on collaborating across Lenovo’s business groups and geographic markets.
5. Adept at building trust and fostering strong relationships with senior leaders, blending strategic advisory expertise with hands-on execution.
6. Self-motivated with a results-oriented mindset, capable of delivering under pressure.
7. Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field, Master's degree preferred.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any federal, state, or local protected class.