Brand Partnerships Director

Job Description

The Mill is a global creative partner for agencies, production companies and brands, working across all media channels and platforms.

We are trusted specialists in visual effects, creative technologies and content production Our projects include the creation of digital products and virtual experiences, as well as world class visual effects and video production.

We are a vibrant network of talented artists, producers, directors and creative technologists from multinational backgrounds. We nurture innovation, flexibility and diverse ideas across our studios in London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Berlin and Bangalore. We are all united by one single ambition: To create extraordinary and memorable work that captivates and excites audiences.

We are The Mill. We create the extraordinary.

The Brand Partnerships Director is a senior position within The Mill, with internal and external responsibilities.

The role is primarily client facing and requires excellent communications and client management skills. The core focus of BPD will be to oversee selected existing client accounts and offer client and relationship management as well as high-level production insight. The BPD will be responsible for interrogating the business/marketing opportunities presented by the clients, or informed through frequent conversations with the clients. Armed with this knowledge and with the support of the Head of Brand Partnerships, the BPD will be responsible for defining the client specific strategies to identify and win appropriate work for The Mill. At times, the BPD will also be solicited to support the New Business direct-to-brand projects and pitches efforts. To both existing and new clients, the BPD will need to display confidence in articulating the Mill capabilities, product suite, core creative services, methodology and values, as well as the Brand Partnerships proposition within The Mill.

The BPD will be expected to get to know the client personnel and the clients core business remit, areas of focus and growth, challenges, opportunities etc.. . as well as The Mill's body of work, our talent (inclusive of Creative Directorial roaster) and use all this knowledge to grow and develop existing relationships. The BPD should be comfortable to approach and present to clients and seek opportunities to speak to our existing proposition and strengths, to identify and grow our client base where the opportunity lends itself.

The BPD should be expected to offer topline production guidance and bring EPs, CDs/Artists and Creative Technologists to the conversations with clients to advise on feasibility of new opportunities, as well as work closely with EPs and producers to provide detailed oversight to the SOW process, ensuring The Mill is setting itself up for success on every Direct to Brand production. Where opportunities lie upstream (strategic and creative development), the BPD will oversee and alongside the BPM lead the project internally. As the projects manifest into the executional remit, the BPD will help to ensure successful transition to EPs /Production to execute the creative content.

Internally, the BPD will need to be a focal point for the team. Providing leadership, management and mentorship for the BP Managers (based in NY and Chicago), to ensure growth and success within their positions. All taking place within working conditions which are in line with The Mill's vision for an energetic, challenging workplace that provides opportunities to grow and develop in a welcoming, friendly and diverse environment. As well as providing the same guidance for the production and creative leads on specific direct-to-brand projects- to help bridge the gap where necessary between the client's ambitions/objectives/requests and the teams approach.

The BPD will report to the Head of Brand Partnerships and work closely with The Mill EPs to ensure we take full advantage of the project opportunities and global Mill resources. The BPD will also be working alongside members of Future Strategy Club (our external strategy resources), the Creative Directors, Business Affairs Manager & Legal team and the Commercial Manager

It is crucial that the BPT works in tandem with the wider Mill. The BPT is considered a layer which supports all departments within The Mill and helps clients understand and appreciate how they can access The Mill at the opportune moment. The BPT is relatively new as a formal entity and it is imperative for the BPD to continue to prioritize connecting with staff internally and becoming an approachable advocate for the new skillset that the team can offer.

Responsibilities:
• Work with the broader BPT, taking ownership over key existing client accounts. Providing outstanding and proactive client service and relationship building.
• Oversee negotiations, statements of work, contracts and bids for upstream strategic and creative development as well as high-end oversight through end-to-end production (live action/VFX etc)
• Comprehensive understanding of client business, in order to develop and manage strategic plan to win new opportunities and grow business with existing client base.
• Demonstrate ability to adapt to various client corporate cultures and needs
• Monitor the satisfaction of existing clients to ensure they continue to partner with The Mill.
• Champion for The Mill: Seeks opportunities to showcase work to current and prospective clients.
• Understanding of industry business trends and disseminate relevant information to broader team. (Attend industry events -physical and digital).
• Ensure most effective use of Mill resources to drive highest creative work with production leads.
• Consider the broader Mill studios and where relevant encourage work share opportunities and driving success of global Mill remit.
• Create quarterly report to HoBP, Director of Production and Commercial Manager to share status and analysis of client relationship
• Understands the sales strategy and revenue/profitability model of The Mill. Helping to determine and negotiate budget needs and vigilantly seek to optimize the studio services and internal resources.
• Develops and mentor BPM.

KPIs:
• Frequent client communication and entertainment to solidify the partnership
• Highly proactive engagement to drive new opportunities
• Timely reporting to HoBP with any relevant issues and quarterly analysis
• Well monitored and managed projects (to client's satisfaction, to budget and timeline) with creative excellence maintained.
• Engaging and well thought out pitches and presentations to exciting and new clients in line with The Mill aesthetic.
• Mentorship and management for the BPMs. Empowering those individuals and helping them on their career journey.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gx6m9o-3-142-119-241-42 in your application.