Senior Manager, Global Strategic Brand Partnerships

Valvoline Global•Lexington, KY

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Valvoline Global Operations, we’re proud to be The Original Motor Oil, but we’ve never rested on being first. Founded in 1866, we introduced the world’s first branded motor oil, staking our claim as a pioneer in the automotive and industrial solutions industry. Today, as an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we are driven by innovation and committed to creating sustainable solutions for a better future. With a global presence, we develop future-ready products and provide best-in-class services for our partners around the world. For us, originality isn’t just about where we began; it’s about where we’re headed and how we’ll lead the way. We are originality in motion. Our corporate values—Care, Integrity, Passion, Unity, and Excellence—are at the heart of everything we do. These values define how we operate, how we treat one another, and how we engage with our partners, customers, and the communities we serve. At Valvoline Global, we are united in our commitment to: • Treating everyone with care.• Acting with unwavering integrity.• Striving for excellence in all endeavors.• Delivering on our commitments with passion.• Collaborating as one unified team. When you join Valvoline Global, you’ll become part of a culture that celebrates creativity, innovation, and excellence. Together, we’re shaping the future of automotive and industrial solutions. The Senior Manager of Strategic Brand Partnerships plays a key leadership role in developing and managing Valvoline Global’s Brand sponsorships and paid influencer programs across global and regional markets. This individual is responsible for leading a team in delivering high-impact partnerships and influencer strategies that drive brand awareness, consumer engagement, and business growth. Reporting to the Senior Director of Global Brand Strategy, this people manager will oversee the planning and execution of brand partnership initiatives with global and regional partners (e.g., Aston Martin, Hendrick, FIFA) as well as with paid influencers. The role includes accountability for relationship development, performance measurement, budgeting, and contract management. As a team leader, today this position will coach and develop a team of two partnership professionals to ensure program excellence and alignment with Valvoline’s partner and brand priorities, and will build out the team further over time as the enterprise grows. The role also requires regular cross-functional collaboration and international travel to support key initiatives and partnerships. Valvoline Global Operations Headquarters is located in Lexington, KY. We prefer local candidates willing to work an in-office work schedule (3 days per week). This position offers a full relocation package for non-local qualified candidates. The ideal candidate for this role is a humble, hungry, and emotionally intelligent leader who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. They value the contributions of others, prioritize team success over personal recognition, and share credit freely. With a hungry mindset, they are self-motivated, proactive, and continuously seeking new challenges to strengthen brand strategy and consumer engagement. Their emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills enable them to effectively navigate complex stakeholder relationships, understand team dynamics, and influence Strategic Brand decisions. This individual combines creative vision with analytical rigor, is adaptable to change, and is deeply committed to delivering partnership strategies that drive business impact. and influencing Strategic Brand decisions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field.
10+ years of experience in partnership, sponsorship, or brand marketing roles
History of creating strategic brand partnership frameworks, roadmaps, and collaborative interactions
Experience having led a team of brand or commercial professionals with demonstrated accountability and drive for results or return on investment
Willingness to travel internationally (up to 30%), including some weekends

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree strongly preferred
Experience working on global brand partnerships
Experience working with global marketing teams in different regions

Responsibilities

Lead Sponsorship & Influencer Programs – Oversee the development and implementation of sponsorship and influencer initiatives aligned with Valvoline’s brand and business goals. Ensure integration across global and regional markets.
Partner Relationship Management – Build and maintain strong relationships with senior executives at global and regional partner organizations. Seek out and land unexpected brand partnerships that grow awareness and drive consideration and purchase. Ensure alignment on brand objectives and maximize ROI.
Team Management & Development – Manage and mentor a team of partnership and influencer marketing professionals. Provide strategic brand partnership direction, performance feedback, and professional development support.
Budget & Contract Oversight – Manage the annual budget for sponsorships and influencers. Lead contract negotiations and oversee performance measurement, reporting, and optimization.
Internal Collaboration & Governance – Partner with brand strategy, commercial, and regional teams to align on the equity roadmap and deliver results. Contribute to the development and implementation of a governance framework for partnership and influencer selection.

Benefits

Health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision)
Health Savings Account (with employer-base deposit and match)
Flexible spending accounts
Competitive 401(k) with generous employer base deposit and match
Incentive opportunity
Life insurance
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Paid vacation and holidays
Employee Assistance Program
Employee discounts
PTO Buy/Sell Options
Tuition reimbursement
Adoption assistance
Terms and conditions apply, and benefits may differ depending on position or tenure.