Sponsorship Programming Manager

About The RoleWe are recruiting a Sponsorship Integration Manager to join a dedicated, full-time team embedded in our client's Festival Programming function in Riyadh. The team will support two major events in Saudi Arabia: a multi-week flagship festival in summer 2027 (July to August) and a further event in November 2027.Your job is to turn sponsor contracts into real activations. The client's Commercial team sells the sponsorships and owns the sponsor relationships. You will take what each sponsor has been promised (their entitlements) and turn it into an activation that works on the ground. That means defining:What visitors doHow many people can go throughHow much space and staff it needsWhether it fits the site layout and brand rulesYou will then track every sponsor deliverable and approval through to delivery.This is a hands-on delivery role, not a sponsorship sales role. We are looking for a professional who has personally turned sponsor entitlements into live activations.Key ResponsibilitiesSponsor Programme IntegrationAct as the single point of contact for integrating each sponsor stream into the festival programmeWork closely with the client's Commercial team, which owns sponsor relationships and contracts, so that commercial commitments become deliverable programme elementsMake sure sponsor activations sit naturally within the wider festival programme and visitor experienceEntitlement-to-Activation PlanningTurn sponsor entitlements into programme-ready activation conceptsDefine the full detail of each activation, including mechanics, throughput, space requirements and staffingDesign activations that deliver real value for sponsors and an engaging experience for visitorsDelivery Tracking and ControlTrack all sponsor deliverables, approvals, dependencies and open decisions from concept through to deliveryKeep clear, up-to-date records so the client always has full visibility of sponsor integration statusFlag risks, delays and outstanding decisions early so they can be resolved before they affect deliveryCompliance with Site, Brand and OperationsMake sure every activation fits the site layouts, brand guidelines and operational constraintsWork with the Masterplan, Operations and Brand teams so that activations can be delivered safely and effectivelyChange and Request ManagementRaise sponsor space, design and build requests to the client through the correct channelsManage sponsor-side changes, assessing their impact on space, programme and operationsRequirementsExperienceAt least 8 years of experience in sponsor activation planning or programming for large-scale live events or festivals, at Manager levelExperience across at least two live event seasonsA proven record of personally turning sponsor entitlements into activations. Only experience where you personally produced the work counts towards the requirementIdeal BackgroundA sponsorship activation or brand experience professional who has delivered sponsor activations on the ground at large-scale live events or festivalsExperience delivering activations for global brand sponsors is a strong advantageThis is a delivery role. Candidates whose background is mainly in selling sponsorships will not be a fitLanguagesProfessional English is requiredArabic is preferredWorking ConditionsFull-time and exclusive: you will be dedicated to the client for the full contract term, with no other clients or projectsMobilisation: you must be able to mobilise within 48 hours of contract award, which is expected to be in October 2026On site in Riyadh: you must be in Riyadh for the full operating periods of the summer 2027 festival (July to August) and the November 2027 event, whichever working option you chooseBenefitsA competitive package for the duration of a 14-month contract, with the potential to extend by up to 3 monthsFlexible working, with a remote option during the planning phaseThe chance to deliver activations for leading global brands at a flagship, multi-week festival in RiyadhA senior, hands-on role in a dedicated specialist team embedded with a major clientClose collaboration across commercial, programming, masterplan and operations teamsValuable experience on one of the region's most high-profile live events programmes