Sponsorship Account Manager

Initiate; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Initiate is seeking a Sponsorship Account Manager in Johannesburg to own the delivery and execution of high-value partnerships within South Africa's horse racing, betting and gaming sector.

You will act as the operational lead after contracts are signed, ensuring commitments are delivered on time and to a high standard. The role entails cross-functional collaboration, performance reporting and opportunities for renewal and expansion.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years' experience in Sponsorship Management, Partnership Management, Account Management or Client Services.
• Experience in sports, racing, betting, gaming, media or entertainment sectors is advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience managing commercial partnerships from execution to delivery.
• Comfortable coordinating projects across multiple functions and channels.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of sponsorship agreements after signing.
• Ensure all assets and benefits are delivered across digital, broadcast, content and events.
• Provide regular delivery updates and post-campaign reports with ROI insights.
• Build strong relationships with sponsorship partners and respond to requests promptly.

Skills

Account management

Organisational skills

Communication

Project management

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Education

Marketing or Business degree

Job description

Are you passionate about bringing sponsorships to life and ensuring every partnership delivers real commercial value?

Our client, a well-established organisation within South Africa's horse racing, betting and gaming industry, is looking for an experienced Sponsorship Account Manager to take ownership of the delivery and execution of high-value commercial partnerships.

What You'll Be Doing

As the Sponsorship Account Manager, you'll become the operational lead once sponsorship agreements have been signed, ensuring every commitment is delivered accurately, on schedule, and to the highest standard.

Your responsibilities will include:

Partnership Delivery

• Manage the end-to-end execution of sponsorship agreements after contract completion.
• Ensure all contracted sponsorship assets and benefits are delivered across digital, broadcast, content and event channels.
• Track campaign milestones, deliverables, timelines and approvals to ensure nothing is missed.
• Proactively identify potential delivery challenges and implement solutions before they affect partner satisfaction.

Account & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for sponsorship partners.
• Build strong, trusted relationships through excellent communication and service delivery.
• Respond to partner requests efficiently while ensuring contractual expectations are consistently exceeded.
• Demonstrate measurable value through reporting, campaign insights and performance reviews.

Commercial Growth

• Work closely with senior commercial stakeholders to identify contract renewal opportunities.
• Spot opportunities to expand existing partnerships through additional sponsorship or activation opportunities.
• Support renewal discussions with performance data, campaign results and partnership insights.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with internal marketing, content, broadcast, digital and event teams to ensure sponsorship commitments are integrated into business planning.
• Coordinate branding, hospitality, activations and media placements across multiple departments.
• Escalate risks or resource challenges where necessary to ensure successful delivery.

Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate records of sponsorship agreements, communications and deliverables.
• Monitor contract compliance and provide regular delivery updates.
• Produce post-campaign and post-event reports highlighting ROI and overall partnership success.

What We're Looking For

Experience

• 3–5 years' experience in Sponsorship Management, Partnership Management, Account Management or Client Services.
• Previous experience within sports, racing, betting, gaming, media or entertainment sectors will be highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated experience managing commercial partnerships from execution through to delivery.
• Comfortable coordinating projects across multiple business functions and channels.

Skills

• Exceptional organisational and project management abilities.
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to delivering contractual excellence.
• Outstanding client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Confident analysing campaign performance and presenting meaningful reports.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Marketing, Business, Sales or a related discipline preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Based in Johannesburg or willing to work from Johannesburg.
• Valid driver's licence and own reliable transport.
• Flexibility to attend client events, activations and functions outside of normal business hours when required.