Brand Partnerships & Activation Manager

We are EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses. We bring together the expertise of two industry pioneers, one in advanced lens technologies and the other in the craftsmanship of iconic eyewear, creating a vertically integrated business that is uniquely positioned to address the world’s evolving vision needs. We craft exclusive eyewear brands Ray-Ban, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, Persol, Costa and more, alongside esteemed licensed brands such as Tiffany & Co, Burberry, and CHANEL whilst our cutting-edge lenses Varilux and Transitions lead the industry in innovation. In Australia and New Zealand, we operate the iconic retail and eye care brands: Sunglass Hut, Oakley, OPSM, Ray-Ban and Laubman & Pank. Every day, EssilorLuxottica’s 190,000 employees in 150 countries work towards a common mission to help people see more and be more.

We’re looking for a dynamic, partnership focused and influential, Brand Partnerships & Activations Manager to lead the strategy and execution of Athlete and Ambassador led storytelling and brand partnerships across Australia and New Zealand.

The role is responsible for driving the development and execution of the local Sports Marketing Plan, including Media and Communications, according to business objectives and brand priorities. The position will be responsible for leading athlete, ambassador, events and Partnerships for Australian and New Zealand across Oakley, Costa del Mar and Bliz.

In this high impact role, you’ll sit at the intersection of sport, culture and communications -  driving powerful athlete communications, securing premium partnerships, and ensuring our brand shows up at the moments that matter most. From negotiating sponsorships and leading large-scale brand activations to integrating athletes into product launches and media campaigns, you’ll be responsible for translating global brand direction into locally relevant, performance-driven outcomes that elevate visibility and accelerate commercial growth.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to shape the voice of the brand through authentic athlete advocacy, strategic partnerships and culturally connected moments - while delivering measurable impact across wholesale and direct to consumer channels.

Your Responsibilities 

• Drive the development and execution of local Athlete led communications plans.
• Execute ATL media campaigns, ensuring creative is prepared according to Brand Guidelines and where possible drives to Wholesale Partners.
• Partner with content creators, photographers, and PR teams to deliver compelling athlete-driven stories.
• Collaborate with PR to ensure influencer partnerships link to Wholesale partners or verticals.
• Leverage athlete social platforms to amplify brand messages and product launches.
• Track engagement, content performance and brand exposure from athlete and brand partnerships, providing regular performance reports to stakeholders.
• Build recommendations for, and maintain, a diverse partner portfolio supporting key categories and business objectives.
• Identify event and partnership opportunities within the market that align to brand and commercial objectives.
• Manage deep, value-led partnerships with key customers and partners acting as senior escalation point and joint partnerships planning lead
• Lead athlete and brand participation in brand events, competitions, and promotional activities.
• Ensure Oakley athletes are front and centre at high-visibility sporting and cultural moments.
• Negotiate mutually beneficial agreements, including contra deals, sponsorships and collab campaigns.
• Lead end to end coordination of all brand activations.
• Oversee contract negotiations, renewals, and compliance with brand and legal requirements

About you 

• Degree in Business specialising in Marketing/Communications, Sports Management, Business or related discipline.
• 3-5+ years’ experience in sports marketing, talent management, or athlete relations, ideally within premium lifestyle or performance brands.
• Experience working alongside Communications Agencies.
• Proven track record of building strong relationships with athletes, agents, and sporting bodies.
• Experienced in managing contracts, budgets, activation plans, and delivering high-impact events under tight deadlines.
• Understanding of Media channels mix and basic design skills to brief artwork requirements. 
• A deep understanding of sports culture, performance eyewear, and Oakley’s brand DNA.
• Fast-paced, high-performance mindset with flexibility to travel, work events, and align with global initiatives.

Working at EssilorLuxottica

A career with EssilorLuxottica will offer you rewarding experiences and the opportunity to develop your skills every day. Working at our head-office located in North Sydney, you will enjoy:

• Generous yearly $1,500 product allowance and Family & Friends discounts of up to 50% off to splurge across all our brands – OPSM, Sunglass Hut, Oakley, Ray-Ban, Laubman & Pank and EyeQ
• Up to 50% off Oakley eyewear and apparel throughout the year.
• Wellness amenities including reformer a Pilates studio, Yoga classes, Personal training and Bike storage.
• Abundance of local cafes, a major shopping centre and close to public transport facilities
• Volunteering with our charity partner OneSight, including volunteer leave and iChampion ambassador opportunities.
• Wide range of career opportunities across the EssilorLuxottica network
• Complimentary full-time concierge services offering an exclusive hotel-style experience!
• Options for a hybrid working environment

Next Steps

To be considered for this opportunity, please click apply and send your resume today.