Manager Athlete Partnerships - Fanatics Collectibles

The Manager, Athlete Partnerships is responsible for the management of autograph and promotional licensing agreements between athletes within all Topps' Licensed Portfolios (UEFA, Bundesliga, F1, Cricket etc) and Topps, including autograph, memorabilia, licensing, and marketing deals. The position acts as a center point for all information between athletes, celebrities, agencies and Topps in the procurement of rights, content and services for trading card products. The Manager, Athlete Partnerships will work closely with internal resources including Product Development, Operations, Legal, e-Commerce, Digital, Marketing, Content, Customer Service, as well as manage relationships with external agencies. The Manager, Athlete Partnerships will work closely with the brand team to ensure that autograph content is aligned with all product requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the generation, signing, accounting and managing of all talent and agent interactions.
• Manage the autograph and relic licensing program including negotiating deals with talent and agents across sports and entertainment properties.
• Generate KPI reports for senior leadership team, which analyze current autograph status across entire trading card product portfolio and identify support needed for specific talent relationships.
• Work directly with brand teams to create/review product subject lists, provide guidance on talent relations, give cost insights on a per-talent basis, analyze procurement needs and manage operational deadlines.
• Manage and communicate autograph procurement developments and ongoing issues to brand and operation teams on ongoing basis.
• Oversee lifecycle of contracts while monitoring dates of legal significance such as expirations and options.
• Ensure compliance to contractual obligations ensuring all services are executed.
• Foster and maintain relationships with league licensors, player associations, agents and industry contacts.
• Spearhead talent activations and marketing/licensing events.

Requirements:

• 6+ years of experience in related field in a progressively responsible role, plus a minimum of 2+ years in management (sports agency, athlete management),
• Several years of experience closing complex, high value and visibility deals, must be a savvy negotiator
• Self-confident, energetic, pro-active, organized, highly detailed and goal oriented.
• Independent thinker, excellent judgement and professional demeanor.
• Proven track record of generating, negotiating and finalizing deals.
• Work well under pressure, able to meet tight deadlines and thrive in changing circumstances; enjoys a fast-paced environment.
• Team oriented with ability to interact with personnel across the organization.
• Strong passion and comprehensive knowledge of European Football, F1 and Cricket
• Exceptional written and oral communication; proven ability to manage relationships
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of Topps business and product lines.
• Schedule flexibility for travel.
• Bachelor's degree.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Subject to applicable laws, Fanatics Collectibles may choose to run a background check.