The Director, Partnerships Marketing is responsible for shaping and seeing through innovative Partnerships and Promotions strategies for Illumination’s IP. Working directly with a wide range of brands, agencies, and our partners at Universal. The ideal candidate is detail oriented and understand the intersection of brands, audience, and culture for the future of collaboration and brand marketing. An organized creative thinker, driver of ideas, with an existing brand network will bring the perfect mix of experience to this high paced new role.
Responsibilities
- Identify opportunities to break into new categories and unlock relationships that haven’t been tapped in the marketplace before; drive partnerships that unlock the trend setting audience but appeal to all audience for conversion.
- Participate in the development, strategy, and most importantly execution of Partnerships and Promotions within Illumination.
- Partner with Universal on early in a film’s development to properly plan and execute an effective Partnership and Promotions strategy that drives audience engagement and conversion.
- Continually monitor and report on the latest emerging brands and industry trends including music, gaming, fashion, creator, experiential, CP and the digital platforms where audience live.
- Organize large amounts of workflow, detail, and assets through the complexities of Illumination, Universal, filmmaker partners, brands, associated talent.
- Collaborate on promotional program information and creative assets for filmmaker presentations and any other internal presentation needs.
- Responsible for working with Universal on pitch materials, idea generation and organizing pitch meetings to key brands that result in securing significant media and marketing partnerships.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with other Marketing leaders across Brand, Digital, CPG, Music, Experiential, Theme Parks, and Custom Content at Illumination and Universal.
- Review partnership opportunities for brand appropriateness
- Manage related vendors and marketing agencies in briefing and development of custom decks, concepts, or creative as needed.
- Be able to present ideas and updates to the CEO and executive leadership in a clear, articulate, and engaging manner.
- Drive and track the progress on each campaign and assess performance in relation to established goals and KPIs.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 8+ years in brand or marketing experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and/or Business Development is preferred
- Proven track record of participating in breakthrough marketing campaigns that includes promotional partners/packaged goods, retail executions, and consumer products.
- Leads through an organized and systematic attention to details and follow-through approach
- Proven experience overseeing multiple projects, managing resources and partners, and prioritizing workload in a fast-paced environment
- Passion for emerging brands and industry trends including music, gaming, fashion, creator, experiential, etc.
- Clearly established relationships with key marketing executives at brands and agencies in the above-mentioned categories as well as within advertising and media agencies
- Keen understanding of consumer trends, especially as they relate to the changing modes of consumption and viewer demographics
- Demonstrated track record using social and digital as key elements in successful marketing campaigns
- Exceptional creative thinking skills with a clear track record of generating compelling marketing ideas, participating in successful brainstorming sessions, and managing a creative process
- Demonstrated ability to influence, challenge, and partner with senior executives and peers across a highly matrixed, fast-paced, innovative, and highly energetic corporate culture.
- Ability to work under deadline pressures with minimal supervision and a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves to drive tasks to completion.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the demonstrated ability to deliver impactful presentations and pitches to senior business and marketing leaders.
- Proven high proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Keynote.
- Experience in digital and marketing content a plus
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
- Executes on priorities with a strong sense of urgency, ownership, accountability and thoughtfulness with a strong passion to contribute to the team's success
- Passion for all audience entertainment with an appreciation for comedy aligned with Illumination’s sensibilities.
- Excellent attention to detail and quality
The base salary range for this role is $120,000 - $150,000 per year. We rely on market indicators to determine compensation and an offer will consider various factors including experience, qualifications, skills, and training. Our comprehensive and competitive benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and their family, 401(k), paid time off, tuition reimbursement and a variety of other perks.
About Illumination
Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of event-animated films, including Despicable Me—the most successful animated franchise in cinematic history—as well as Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch and The Secret Life of Pets and Sing films. The 2023 release of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie has joined the studio library, now comprising three of the top 10 animated films of all time. Illumination’s iconic, beloved franchises—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—have grossed more than $9 billion worldwide. Illumination has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures.
Illumination is based in Santa Monica, CA and its studio, Illumination Studios Paris, is located in the center of Paris, France.
Illumination's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Illumination will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.
