Head of Partnerships and experiential marketing

Company Description

247 Labs is a Lagos-based technology company and the operator of Betpikr (betpikr.com), a cutting-edge sports betting and gaming platform designed for Africa's dynamic, connected audience, launched in October 2026. More than just a platform for placing bets, Betpikr integrates social interaction, entertainment, and responsible gaming to foster a sense of community and connectivity. With a team of talented engineers, designers, and strategists, 247 Labs is redefining modern betting as smart, social, and seamless. Join us in shaping the future of entertainment and connection in the betting and gaming industry.

Role Description

This is a full-time hybrid role for a Head of Partnerships & Experiential Marketing at 247 Labs, based in Lagos and reporting to the VP of Marketing. You'll lead partnerships and experiential marketing for Betpikr, our flagship product, which went live at betpikr.com in October 2026 and is now in its critical post-launch growth phase. Betpikr is built on community — tipsters, copy-betting, head-to-head games, and the conversations fans are already having around football. This role takes that community off the screen and into the real world. You'll own the Betpikr partnership portfolio end to end, from identifying and negotiating deals with clubs, leagues, media, creators, telcos, and lifestyle brands, to activating them through live experiences that fans actually want to be part of: match-day takeovers, viewing parties, campus and street activations, tipster meet-ups, and brand collaborations. This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who can open doors, close commercial deals, and then turn them into activations that drive acquisition and brand love — not just logos on a backdrop.

What You'll Do

• Own the Betpikr partnerships strategy, pipeline, and portfolio across sport, media, entertainment, creators, telcos, and consumer brands
• Source, structure, negotiate, and close commercial partnership and sponsorship agreements, working with Finance and Legal on commercial terms and contracts
• Manage existing rights and sponsorship relationships, ensuring every asset is activated and every obligation is delivered
• Design and deliver the experiential marketing calendar — match-day activations, viewing parties, fan festivals, pop-ups, campus and community events, and major fixture moments
• Build the partnerships and events budget, and own ROI: tie every deal and activation to measurable acquisition, first-deposit, retention, and brand metrics
• Develop creator and influencer partnerships that extend the Betpikr tipster and community proposition beyond the app
• Lead on-the-ground execution with agencies, vendors, venues, and production partners, including logistics, permits, and health and safety
• Integrate activations with digital, CRM, and social campaigns so live moments drive in-app behaviour
• Ensure every partnership and event complies with Nigerian advertising and gaming regulations (ARCON, LSLGA/FSGRN) and our responsible gambling commitments, including strict 18+ controls at all activations
• Build and lead a small partnerships and events team as the function scales
• Report regularly to 247 Labs leadership on pipeline, deal performance, activation results, and spend
  

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years in partnerships, sponsorship, brand, or experiential marketing, with at least 3 years in a leadership or function-owning role
• A proven record of originating and closing commercial partnerships — you can show the deals, the terms, and what they delivered
• Hands-on experience planning and delivering live events and brand activations at scale, from concept through to post-event reporting
• A strong, active network across Nigerian sport, entertainment, media, or consumer brands
• Commercial fluency: comfortable building business cases, negotiating rights and fees, and managing six-figure budgets
• A data-driven approach to experiential — you measure activations by what they do for acquisition and retention, not just footfall
• Deep understanding of Nigerian football fan culture and how bettors engage with the game, online and offline
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and relationship-management skills at senior levels
• The ability to operate in a fast-moving startup where you set the strategy and roll up your sleeves to deliver it
• A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
  

Nice to Have

• Experience in sports betting, gaming, or a regulated consumer category
• Existing relationships with Nigerian or international football clubs, leagues, federations, broadcasters, or rights holders
• Experience working with creator and influencer platforms and managing talent agreements
• Background on the agency side in sponsorship, experiential, or brand activation
• Familiarity with advertising and gaming compliance requirements in Nigeria
• Working knowledge of Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo