Research Manager - Sports

BRAND: Publicis Media Sports and Entertainment
Job Function: Client Management
Location: London, United Kingdom
Experience Level: Intermediate
Workplace Type: Hybrid

Company description

Publicis Sport & Entertainment (PSE) manages projects on behalf of brands and rights holders, including measuring the media impact and value of properties, measuring fan engagement and consulting on the most appropriate partnerships and content opportunities for brands.

PSE has an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join our Media Research account team, which services several of the world's most prestigious sports rights holders.

Our remit extends to the compilation and analysis of global audience statistics for sports events, trending viewing behaviours across sporting and entertainment genres, and understanding media consumption habits across an increasingly dynamic digital landscape.

Our insights into fan viewing behaviour sit at the heart of measuring ROI and ROO for our clients' partners, and help rights holders and commercial agencies to maximise media rights opportunities and revenues.

Overview

Sitting within the media Research Team, Account Manager, you'll be responsible for managing multiple global audience projects, leading a team of researchers, and delivering high-quality client servicing at a senior level.

The Account Manager will act as the key day-to-day client contact across several high-profile accounts, ensuring PSE delivers best-in-class insights, consultancy, and reporting. The role requires a strong balance of analytical rigour, strategic thinking, and commercial awareness, combined with an ability to coach, motivate and develop junior colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Client Leadership
• Act as the primary client contact on assigned accounts, ensuring strong, trusted relationships with rights holders, agencies, and brand stakeholders.
• Anticipate client needs, provide proactive recommendations, and advise on the most effective measurement and insight solutions.
• Represent PSE in client presentations, workshops, and pitches.
• Project & Team Management
• Lead multiple global audience research assignments, overseeing project design, workflow, and delivery to the highest standard.
• Manage and mentor junior team members, providing guidance, training, and quality assurance across their outputs.
• Ensure effective resource allocation across accounts and maintain oversight of timelines and budgets.
• Insight & Analysis
• Deliver advanced analysis of broadcast, digital, and social audience data to provide meaningful insights that inform client strategy.
• Contextualise sport event performance within the wider broadcast and entertainment landscape, identifying market trends and growth opportunities.
• Lead the preparation of regular reports, ensuring outputs are both accurate and impactful for senior client stakeholders.
• Commercial Growth & Innovation
• Support the Head of Department in growing client revenues through upselling, cross-selling, and proactive identification of new opportunities.
• Contribute to new business pitches with strategic insights and case studies.
• Drive innovation in methodologies, tools, and services, helping to keep PSE at the forefront of media research and analytics.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in media research, audience measurement, or a related data insights role, ideally within sport, entertainment, or media.
• Strong client servicing and relationship management skills, with experience in presenting insights and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, mentor junior colleagues, and manage complex projects with multiple deliverables.
• Advanced analytical skills with strong proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with TV ratings systems (e.g. Techedge, Infosys) essential.
• Exposure to data transformation techniques and dashboard platforms such as PowerBi highly desirable.
• Commercial mindset with a track record of contributing to account growth and new business success.
• Knowledge of, or experience using SQL, Python, ETL tools, and data visualisation dashboards such as Power BI or Tableau would be an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic Ability: Future-oriented, able to anticipate trends and position clients for success.
• Client Focus: Dedicated to exceeding client expectations, acting as a trusted partner.
• Leadership: Strong team player who fosters collaboration and develops talent within the team.
• Results Driven: Energetic, proactive, and committed to delivering excellence.
• Innovative: Curious, open to new ideas, and committed to driving continuous improvement.
• Publicis Sport & Entertainment Champion: Embodies PSE values, promotes our expertise internally and externally, and builds our profile in the industry.

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Additional information

Publicis Sport & Entertainment has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Plans. We also offer;

• WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS - Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well-being and self-care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS 24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level. Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT. Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES We provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity. Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP & BIRTHDAY DAY OFF You are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.

Full details of our benefits will be shared when you join us!

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office-based three days during the working week.

We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG's (Employee Action Groups).