Sponsorship Marketing Lead – Connecticut

Position Overview:

The Sponsorship Marketing Lead is responsible for managing and activating M&T Bank's Connecticut sponsorship portfolio, with primary responsibility for the University of Connecticut partnership, Gampel Pavilion naming rights, Hartford Athletic, Quinnipiac University, and future Connecticut-based sponsorship investments. The role serves as the day-to-day relationship manager for key partners while ensuring sponsorship assets are executed effectively and aligned with brand, business, community, employee, and client engagement objectives.

This role is focused on partnership management, activation planning, execution, stakeholder coordination, and operational delivery. Individual contributor within the Brand Marketing team, this person has subject matter expertise pertaining to partnership and sponsorship marketing. While the position contributes to sponsorship recommendations and market insights, overall sponsorship strategy, portfolio decisions, budget governance, and enterprise planning remain the responsibility of Sponsorship Marketing leadership.

Primary Responsibilities:

Partnership & Relationship Management

• Serve as day-to-day relationship lead for Connecticut sponsorship partners, including UConn Athletics, UConn Gampel Pavilion naming rights, Hartford Athletic, Quinnipiac University, and other regional properties.

• Manage partner communications, planning sessions, contract obligations, asset tracking, and annual review processes.

• Ensure sponsorship benefits are delivered accurately and fully utilized.

Sponsorship Activation & Execution

• Develop and execute annual activation plans for Connecticut sponsorships.

• Manage event logistics and on-site execution for sponsorship programs.

• Ensure all partnership assets are activated according to contractual agreements.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with brand and growth marketing, community markets, regional leadership, and communications to maximize sponsorship value.

• Facilitate internal planning meetings and stakeholder engagement related to Connecticut partnerships.

• Coordinate agency, vendor, and partner resources supporting sponsorship activation.

UConn & Gampel Pavilion Leadership

• Lead day-to-day management of the UConn relationship.

• Coordinate naming rights implementation activities across signage, communications, launch planning, experiences, and asset utilization.

• Act as primary liaison with UConn Athletics and university stakeholders.

• Support long-term activation planning for the Gampel Pavilion partnership.

Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Track sponsorship performance against established KPIs.

• Maintain sponsorship scorecards, asset utilization reports, activation recaps, and budget tracking.

• Provide recommendations to improve activation effectiveness and partner value.

• Support renewal evaluations and annual business reviews.

Market Development

• Monitor the Connecticut sponsorship landscape and identify emerging opportunities.

• Maintain strong relationships with community, sports, education, and business organizations throughout Connecticut.

• Provide market insights and recommendations to Sponsorship Marketing leadership regarding future sponsorship opportunities.

Education & Experience Required:

• Bachelor's Degree required.

• 5-7 years of experience in sponsorships, sports marketing, partnership marketing, events, brand marketing, experiential marketing, or related discipline.

• Experience managing external partners, agencies, and stakeholder relationships.

• Strong project management and execution skills.

• Ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.

• Strong communication, presentation, and organizational skills.

• Experience working across matrixed organizations and influencing stakeholders.

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