Media & Sponsorship Manager

About the Role:Baird is seeking a Media & Sponsorship Manager to lead the strategy, planning, and execution of media and sponsorship investments across the firm. This role connects business priorities to effective media and partnership strategies, ensuring investments are well-managed, measurable, and aligned to brand and growth objectives. Serving as both a strategic advisor and hands-on contributor, you will partner across Marketing & Communications, business units, community partners, and external vendors to deliver integrated, high-quality programs while leading and developing a small team.The Impact You'll Make:Develop and execute media and sponsorship strategies aligned to brand and business objectivesGuide mix of media investments, across a broad set of channels, overseeing budget allocations and campaign timing decisions across initiativesIdentify emerging media and sponsorship opportunities and recommend innovative approaches while balancing stakeholder prioritiesEvaluate, negotiate, and manage sponsorship and naming rights investments across sports, nonprofit, and community partnershipsBuild and manage sponsorship portfolios aligned to firm and business-unit prioritiesTranslate media and sponsorship investments into measurable business and marketing outcomesServe as a trusted advisor to Marketing & Communications and business stakeholdersPartner with marketing colleagues to translate business objectives into actionable media and sponsorship strategiesBuild and maintain strong relationships with vendors, partners, and internal teamsMonitor performance against goals and leverage data and insights to optimize outcomesManage budgets with discipline, accountability, and transparencyEnsure high-quality, consistent execution across multiple initiatives and workstreamsLead the media and sponsorship function, including managing and developing a team while remaining actively engaged in key initiativesWhat You’ll Bring to Baird:Bachelor’s degree in Advertising, Marketing, Business, or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience15 years of relevant professional experience with 7–10+ years of experience in media planning, buying, and sponsorship strategy.Financial services experience is preferredExperience supporting enterprise-level initiatives and multiple business units with aligned strategies and an ability to connect marketing investments to business outcomesExcellent negotiation skills and understanding of how to add incremental value and communicate that to our clientsExperience in leading people and building a teamStrong understanding of both traditional and digital media channels as well as sponsorship marketingExperience and knowledge of Salesforce, RFP processes, demos and selection of media and sponsorship planning/buying software toolsFamiliarity in using AI tools, especially for tasks like ideation and researchProven ability to manage vendor relationships, work across teams and influence stakeholders at all levelsStrong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detailCompensation and Total Rewards Package: $102,000 - $156,900 annual salary rangeBonus potential up to 25% of base salaryCompensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or firm profitability and locationCheck out our Total Rewards at Baird, which is a summary of our benefits and compensation#LI-AK1Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.SummaryLocation: WI-Milwaukee; IL-ChicagoType: Full time