Senior Manager, Brand Ambassadors, Trade Advocacy

Position Title: Senior Manager, Brand Ambassadors, Trade Advocacy

Location: New York, NY, US, Remote

Careers that unlock the magic of human connection 

Who we are 

Pernod Ricard is a global premium spirits and wine company. We’re the team behind leading brands such as ABSOLUT® Vodka, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, and Avión™ Tequila, as well as many more superior wines and exquisite champagnes! 

Working at Pernod Ricard is all about igniting conviviality in that all that we do. Derived from the French word, convivialité…it means human connection, authenticity, friendly, and jovial. Conviviality is energy and spirit with a splash of je ne sais quoi and is a core philosophy around how we live and work at Pernod Ricard. Here, we are team players, dream makers, trailblazers, movers and (cocktail) shakers. We have a passion for living life to the fullest, making a new friend every day, and realizing our potential as people and as a business! 

The salary range for this role, based in New York is $130,200.00 to $162,700.00, range will vary if outside of this location.  Base salaries are determined during our interview process, by assessing a candidate’s experience, skills against internal peers and against the scope and responsibilities of the position.

Position Summary

Own the development of clear strategies and tools to ensure PRUSA re-gains our place as a “best in class” ambassadorial function driving trade advocacy, engagement, and education. Align closely with Brand & Organizational strategy to drive executional excellence of category and brand objectives nationally through a highly visible and impactful team. Build a team of influential brand ambassadors who drive advocacy through a clear and measurable strategic and tactical executional plan.

Job Scope

Impact priority category and brand reputation for PRUSA by leading a team of 30+ (mix of internal & agency) brand ambassadors to support the PRUSA growth ambition. Lead the development of processes, tools, and procedures in order to build a best-in-class infrastructure to support the PRUSA brand ambassador pillar.

• Fulfil national scope through a blend of internal and agency managed national and regional ambassadors situated in key priority states & commercial divisions.
• Be a strategic partner to cross-functional teams within priority categories across the Irish Whiskey, American Whiskey, Agave, Gin, French Wines categories in order to manage development of Ambassador programming, develop key success metrics, manage annual budgets, and lead internal and external socialization of BA activities.
• As part of the PRUSA Commercial Marketing Team, anticipate, identify, and satisfy trade and consumer needs by developing inspiring, iconic, and disruptive initiatives and action plans which translate into local success.
• Support and communicate brand vision, objectives, strategies, and national initiatives.
• Reporting to: VP Field Marketing.
• 6 Direct Reports including agency management responsibility (team of 25-30 BAs).
• Key Internal Relationships: Brand HQ teams, Commercial Marketing, HR, Finance, Legal, Corporate Communications, and Commercial org. 
• Key External Relationships: Agency housing the external BA program, Trade & industry leaders, and key distributor leaders.

 Key Responsibilities for this Role

• Contribute to PRUSA’s growth by leading a high-calibre, highly visible team of Brand Ambassador’s, and implement a successful program structure in three key areas: Recruitment, Training/Support Tools, & In Market Management & execution.
• Attract, recruit & retain high quality talent via best-in-class program:
  • Manage & work closely with HR and Agency lead to support hiring requirements.
  • Research and keep abreast of the latest Trade Advocacy and Ambassador strategies and programmes, and adapt to changing market conditions, always keeping one step ahead of competitors.
  • Instil a culture of inclusion and conviviality making the PRUSA BA team an aspirational group.
  • Create career progression model and talent development plan.
• Own development of planning & program execution expectations & guidelines, inclusive of KPIs & Training/Resources:
  • Create & develop an effective planning cycle and management process that is integrated into the PRUSA Planning process.
  • Create a best-in-class training program & plan to support successful onboarding of new team (internal & agency).
  • Own development of full suite of Brand Ambassadors tools to support BA role in driving executional excellence.