Director, Global Sponsorship & Activation

PayPal•New York, NY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

PayPal is seeking an experienced Director of Global Sponsorship & Activation to lead the strategy and execution of our sports and music portfolio. This role will be responsible for maximizing the business impact of our premier partnerships—including our global NFL league sponsorship (League, Super Bowl, NFL Draft, International Games), five NFL team deals, Liverpool FC global sponsorship, and Live Nation festival portfolio (Bonnaroo, BottleRock, Lollapalooza US, and Lollapalooza Germany)—while driving measurable growth for both consumer and business objectives.

Requirements

10+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
15+ years of experience in brand marketing, sports marketing, sponsorship strategy, and activation
Proven track record of managing large-scale sports and/or entertainment partnerships with measurable business impact
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated activation strategies that drive consumer and B2B outcomes
Strong cross-functional leadership skills with experience building stakeholder alignment across complex organizations
Experience managing teams and external agency partners
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and analytical capabilities
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to influence at all levels including C-suite
Self-starter with ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced environments

Nice To Haves

Experience with NFL, Premier League/global football, live music festivals, or other premium sports/entertainment properties
Background in fintech, payments, or digital commerce industries
Experience managing multi-million dollar sponsorship portfolios across multiple markets/regions
Established relationships within the sports and entertainment marketing ecosystem
International marketing experience and cultural fluency across diverse markets

Responsibilities

Establish and execute the overall marketing strategy for the organization
Influence executive-level decision-making on marketing initiatives
Collaborate with executive leadership to align marketing strategies with business objectives
Lead large-scale marketing projects and programs with significant impact
Analyze market trends and competitive landscape to inform strategic decisions
Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to marketing team leaders
Own the strategic direction and business objectives for PayPal's NFL league sponsorship, four NFL team partnerships, Liverpool FC global sponsorship, and Live Nation festival portfolio
Develop and implement comprehensive activation strategies that drive measurable business outcomes across consumer acquisition, engagement, and B2B growth
Establish and oversee disciplined asset management processes to maximize ROI across the sports and music investment
Identify opportunities to scale impact, optimize spend, and drive efficiencies across the portfolio
Lead end-to-end activation planning and execution for all NFL, Liverpool FC, and Live Nation partnerships, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and business priorities
Develop integrated marketing campaigns that leverage sponsorship assets to drive product adoption, brand awareness, and revenue growth
Partner with Product, Sales, Brand, and other cross-functional teams to ensure activations are connected to broader business initiatives
Oversee agency partners to deliver best-in-class creative, production, and on-site experiences across domestic and international markets
Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across Marketing, Product, Sales, Finance, Legal, and Communications
Lead cross-functional alignment to secure buy-in, resources, and support for activation plans
Communicate portfolio performance, insights, and recommendations to executive leadership
Navigate organizational complexity with diplomacy and influence to drive decision-making and momentum
Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3-4 direct reports, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability
Manage external agency relationships, ensuring strategic alignment, quality output, and cost efficiency
Set clear goals, provide ongoing feedback, and create development opportunities for team members
Define success metrics and KPIs for each partnership, tracking performance against business objectives
Analyze activation results, generate insights, and apply learnings to optimize future programs
Deliver regular reporting and readouts to leadership on portfolio performance and business impact