Director of Partnerships

Director of Partnerships – North America

The Director of Partnerships – North America is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the development, management, and expansion of Merlin's partnership portfolio across North America. This role focuses on delivering innovative and commercially successful partnerships through multi-channel activations including brand promotions, sponsorships, marketing collaborations, and experiential partnerships. The Director will play a key role in accelerating partnership revenue, expanding marketing reach, strengthening brand equity, and enhancing the guest experience across Merlin attractions. Working closely with the VP Go-To-Market NA, this role ensures regional partnership initiatives align with Merlin's global partnership strategy, delivering high-impact programs that drive commercial growth and brand visibility.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Partner with the VP Go-To-Market NA to define and execute the regional partnership sales strategy.
• Identify high-value partnership categories and brands to drive incremental revenue.
• Lead commercial negotiations and secure long-term strategic brand partnerships.
• Develop partnership models that enhance Merlin's market presence and deliver measurable commercial impact.

Partnership Portfolio Management

• Lead and grow the North America partnership portfolio, delivering against revenue targets.
• Build deep strategic relationships with key partners and drive joint business planning initiatives.
• Expand partnership engagement across marketing, experiential, and promotional channels.

Creative Campaign Development

• Lead the development of innovative, high-impact partner activations that maximize earned media and commercial return.
• Collaborate with partners on major attraction launches and marquee events.
• Ensure strong integration of partner brands within Merlin's experiences while maintaining brand integrity.

Global Collaboration & Best Practices

• Act as an active member of Merlin's Global Partnerships community.
• Participate in global forums to share insights, best practices, and partnership opportunities.
• Ensure regional partnership strategies align with Merlin's global objectives.

Commercial Alignment & Channel Strategy

• Work closely with the Revenue Management team to align partnership offers with pricing and distribution strategies.
• Ensure partnership campaigns maximize commercial value without impacting core revenue channels.

Performance Tracking & Optimization

• Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for partnership campaigns.
• Monitor campaign results and optimize strategies to improve ROI and engagement.
• Deliver insights and reporting to senior leadership on partnership performance.

Contract Governance & Compliance

• Oversee execution of partnership agreements and contractual deliverables.
• Work with Legal, Finance, and internal teams to ensure compliance, risk mitigation, and timeline adherence.

Agency & Vendor Management

• Manage agencies and external vendors supporting partnership delivery.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic objectives.

Marketing & Sales Enablement

• Support the development of partnership sales materials including pitch decks, partner toolkits, campaign assets, and activation materials.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the North America partnerships team.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture focused on innovation and results.
• Provide mentorship, training, and performance feedback to team members.

Key Stakeholder Interfaces

Stakeholder Purpose of Collaboration

• Regional Partnership Leads Align on global partnership opportunities and share best practices
• Global & Regional Marketing Ensure partnerships align with marketing strategy and campaign timing
• Global Brand & Content Teams Maintain brand consistency and creative alignment
• Regional Operations & Managing Directors Coordinate partnership activations across attractions
• Revenue Management Align partnership offers with pricing and distribution strategy

Qualifications & Experience

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or related field
• 8+ years of experience in partnership, sponsorship, or commercial brand roles
• Proven track record managing large strategic brand partnerships in the US
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated revenue growth through partnerships
• Experience aligning regional strategies with global brand initiatives
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience building and leading high-performing commercial teams
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities

Skills & Competencies

Strategic Thinking

Ability to develop partnership strategies that support commercial objectives and brand growth.

Marketing & Brand Expertise

Strong understanding of partnerships, brand marketing, media activations, and consumer promotions.

Communication & Influence

Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Networking & Relationship Building

Strong industry network with the ability to establish and grow high-value partnerships.

Project Management

Ability to manage multiple high-profile partnership campaigns simultaneously.

Leadership

Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop high-performing teams.

Merlin Leadership Behaviors

Soulfully Curious

Leaders who actively seek knowledge, explore diverse perspectives, and remain open to new ideas.

Results Focused

Leaders who set clear goals, track progress, and consistently deliver measurable outcomes.

Extraordinary Teammate

Leaders who collaborate across the business, share knowledge, and contribute to a positive culture.

Develops People

Leaders who coach, mentor, and support the development and growth of their teams.

Benefits

Your Adventure Awaits! At Merlin Entertainments North America, we believe in not just rewarding your work but enhancing your journey with an exhilarating array of benefits that go beyond the ordinary. Get ready for a ride of a lifetime as we unveil the extraordinary perks waiting for you!

Your Benefits Odyssey Begins Here:

Competitive Salary:

• Brace yourself for a salary that not only recognizes your talents but propels you to new heights.

Generous PTO:

• Time off is your passport to recharge. Enjoy a generous PTO policy to explore, relax, and rejuvenate.

Affordable Health Plans:

• Dive into the comfort of affordable medical, vision, and dental plans that prioritize your well-being.

Global Access Pass:

• Picture this – free entry to all Merlin attractions worldwide! Your golden ticket extends to family and friends, unlocking a world of wonder.

Secure Your Future:

• Safeguard your legacy with company-paid life insurance – because we care about your peace of mind.

Continued Growth:

• Joining Merlin isn't just a job; it's a thrilling expedition. Expect continuous growth in an exciting, global organization that values your journey.

Pay Range

Competitive