Manager, Influencer and Talent Marketing

Overview

Job Description

The Manager, Influencer & Talent Marketing will be responsible for the build out and management of a world class Influencer program that will expand the overall reach of the League with critical audiences.

An effective candidate must be a true entertainment industry expert with proven experience and ability in: identifying and bringing together emerging and established talent via relationships and creative deal structuring, balancing the needs of talent with the needs of the organization, supporting decisions with data and research, driving new ideas and concepts forward, and contributing to the build out and day-to-day management of a world class influencer and talent program that will garner respect from fans, players, clubs, and League sponsors. The Influencer & Talent Marketing Manager will also provide support in all aspects of Influencer Marketing strategy development and influencer opportunities across NFL stakeholders (e.g. NFL, NFL Network, NFL Social, NFL Films, Football Operations, Communications) ensuring League objectives are being met.

As point person for influencers and talent, this candidate will leverage key NFL assets to broaden reach and drive engagement particularly with fans 12-24 years old. The Manager, Influencer & Talent Marketing will be a pivotal position in building the new Influencer Marketing department while creating “made for social moments” to bolster interest around critical League initiatives (ex; Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Pro Bowl, Combine, NFL Kickoff, “off-season”, etc.).

The ideal candidate is also highly connected, an expert networker with an expansive rolodex of contacts across key industries (fashion, music, sports/fitness, gaming, and culture), with a key focus in fashion and fitness, and has a deep understanding of the multicultural, Gen Z, and young millennial consumer and can help shape fan expression for the NFL brand throughout the season by identifying key influencers and talent that share similar interests and values

In their day-to-day the Manager, Influencer & Talent Marketing will be responsible for building and maintaining direct, on-going relationships with key talent emerging and established talent while creating an expansive roster within specific verticals; Fashion and Fitness (as well as Music, eSports, Gaming and Culture/ Culinary). They will also be responsible for conceptualizing unique ideas for event activations and key NFL moments and bringing these ideas/ events/ programs to life through successful project and event management.

The successful candidate will partner with and report directly to the VP, Influencer Marketing to build and deliver against a highly collaborative, cross-functional business plan and team process that consistently delivers best in class initiatives related to NFL strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement Influencer & Talent Marketing plans in partnership with the greater Influencer Marketing, Music, Collegiate, Club Marketing and Social Teams.
• Assist in the development of our Club Influencer Marketing Support programs (tools and resources)
• Support in conceptualizing and executing unique event activations and experiences and have a proven track record of bringing new concepts to life via successful event management and event production
• Build and maintain the league’s database for Influencers and talent (specifically in the Fashion and Fitness verticals)
• Leverage key relationships to position the league as a tastemaker and industry leader in influencer and talent partnerships
• Build new connections in an expansive, ever-changing entertainment community and create experiences that enable influencers to connect with players, create content, and tell stories in partnership with the social team
• Ability to defend decisions with critical insight, data, and trend analysis
• Measuring, analyzing performance of key influencer initiatives and educate the greater organization oh how to optimize these activations via best practice sharing
• Own the Influencer / Talent identification and outreach and project casting process for brand and advertising partnerships
• Build and maintain direct Influencer/ Talent relationships understand and support their personal growth and development by pairing them with complimentary activation opportunities within the league to avoid pay-to-play moments.
• Have strong, personal relationships and a deep understanding of the goals of individual Influencer/ Talents and working with them at an on-going basis to field ideas and provide feedback for partnerships, activations, collaborations, and social media opportunities– balancing the goals of the influencer/talent with the needs of our organization
• Assist with all aspects of Influencer/ Talent Gifting, working with a vendor on packaging and ensuring FTC compliant messaging and must have a proven track record of influencer / talent supporting gifting initiatives
• Support all aspects of Influencer/ Talent Booking Admin from finance & payment, travel and accommodations, and recap/ reporting
• Build and provide the organization and clubs with a toolkit of resources and support to unlock a deeper understanding of best-in-class influencer marketing
• Coordinate with external partners (e.g. agencies, vendors, platforms) on needs and best practice sharing
• Provide consistent updates on trends and updates in the influencer space applicable to the NFL
• Contributes to creating presentation decks and recap decks, presenting in internal and external meetings, preparations for meetings, writes agendas, prepares facilities, recaps campaigns, etc.
• Gathers information for inclusion in reports or presentation materials.
  

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in managing external talent and relationships
• A minimum of 3 years of quantifiable experience in conceptualizing unique event activations and experiences and proven track record of bringing new concepts to life via successful event management and event production
• Ability to evaluate potential talent on brand fit for the league against a set criteria. Brand, music label, or otherwise talent management experience preferred
• Track record of accomplishments in working with key music festivals, cultural moments, award shows, streetwear brands, etc.
• Track record of accomplishments in the influencer and talent space; specifically in bringing big and new ideas to life successfully
• Proven ability to manage and lead multiple projects under aggressive time constraints with many cross functional stakeholders
• Proven ability to maintain and lead strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Have a deep understanding of departmental business objectives and how/ when Influencer Marketing makes sense and will drive tangible results.
• Excellent presentation, communication, project and event management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish deep and dynamic relationships with partners within the music, gaming, fashion, and fitness genres as well as talent agencies, media partners, publicists, managers, etc.
• BA/BS from undergraduate university with degree in marketing, communications, or related field.
• A sports fan in general, and more specifically an NFL fan. Knowledgeable about football.
• Energetic, Flexible, Resourceful, Collaborative
  

Other Key Attributes / Characteristics

• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities
• Must be willing to work early mornings, nights and/or weekends
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to use good judgement and to exercise discretion in confidential matters
• Must possess outstanding work ethic and be highly self-motivated
  

Terms / Expected Hours of Work

• NFL employees are required to work 40 hours per week
• Flexibility to work nights, weekends and some holidays
• FLSA-exempt
• The NFL places a priority on having an in-person workplace, which enables us to more effectively collaborate, connect and build a workplace culture that will drive our continued success. We remain steadfast in our belief that working together as a team, in our physical office spaces, is critical to the successful execution of our season. For those reasons, we expect employees to work from an NFL office five days a week, except in limited circumstances permitted by NFL policy.
• The NFL is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment that reflects our incredibly diverse fan base. We provide an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all employees and applicants without regard to status as protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
• We also continue to prioritize the health and safety of our NFL workforce. Consistent with that commitment, in light of the substantial and growing body of evidence that vaccinations remain the most effective protection against the spread the COVID-19, we require that members of our NFL workforce be fully vaccinated. Exceptions are available only for those who need an accommodation for a qualifying disability or sincerely held religious belief or practice.