Associate Manager, Commercial Affairs

ASSOCIATE MANAGER, COMMERCIAL AFFAIRS

Be part of building a national brand. Headquartered in Toronto, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is a national, private, not-for-profit organization committed to high-performance sports excellence. We are the largest private supporter of high-performance sport in Canada and we are responsible for all aspects of Canada’s involvement in the Olympic Movement, including the participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Partnerships, Business Development and Commercial Affairs, the Associate Manager, Commercial Affairs plays a key role in the delivery of the COC’s Commercial Affairs function, including informing the overall commercial rights management strategy and related workstreams. The Associate Manager is responsible for managing key aspects of commercial rights assessments, brand protection, internal and external brand use management, and strategic partner relations. This role serves as a key resource in assessing commercial implications of wide-ranging organizational decisions including evaluating opportunities and risk management, as well as manages the COC’s licensing programs and other commercial projects as required. This individual excels at taking care of the details, communicating complex subject matter in simple ways, solving problems, strategic thinking, building relationships, and working in a fast-paced environment.

LOCATION

This role will be located in one of the COC’s offices (in Montreal, QC, at 500 René-Lévesque Boulevard West; or in Toronto, ON at 250 Yonge St. Suite 3000). We offer a hybrid work model that allows for up to two days of remote work each week.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PRIORITIES 

Commercial Rights Strategy & Approach

• Assist in the development and execution of the COC's commercial rights strategy, including the overall commercial rights management approach and related workstreams
• Serve as a primary internal resource and subject matter expert for evaluating commercial matters, including analysis of applicable guidelines, understanding existing obligations, and tracking consistency in decision making

Brand Protection 

• Execute on the COC’s brand protection strategy and assist in its development and ongoing evaluation
• Implement the COC’s Games-time brand protection program, including but not limited to:
  • Manage a team to monitor marketplace for unauthorized uses of the Olympic brand; identify and resolve infringements 
  • Execute Games-time monitoring and case management function 
  • Work with Marketing Partnerships and legal teams to develop and administer ambush-prevention tools
• Lead the delivery of the COC’s Rule 40 program, including stakeholder education and approvals process
• Oversee the delivery of the COC’s Rule 50 (competition uniform approvals) program

Brand Use Management & Strategic Partnerships

• Oversee the commercial and non-commercial use of the Olympic brand in Canada including but not limited to:
  • Support the day-to-day management of all internal/external requests for use of the Olympic brand and approvals 
  • Oversee all internal/external stakeholder (internal staff, athletes, agents, NSOs, business community, etc.) commercial rights education including educational presentations to stakeholders as required 
• Manage NSO commercial rights relationships, including but not limited to:
  • Serve as commercial rights liaison for Canadian Sport System
  • Assist NSOs with partnerships and commercial rights education 
• Manage the ongoing evolution of brand guidelines and other educational resources for internal/external stakeholders
• Keep internal/external stakeholders informed of commercial rights-related programs and activities

Marketing Partner Approvals Support

• Facilitate and provide guidance to the Marketing Partner activation approvals process and tools, and serve as a subject matter expert to support the Marketing Partnerships team:
  • Oversee the approvals workflow including intake process and tracking of partner activations
  • Manage and update Marketing Partner Activation Guidelines and lead partner education 
  • Maintain consistency of approvals function and provide issues management support to the Marketing Partnerships team 

Commercial Management & Operations

• Manage the COC’s licensing programs, including but not limited to: NSO licensed products, pins, IOC licensing program, and net new opportunities 
• Assist in the evaluation, development, execution and administration of commercial development programs and/or brand extensions to new properties (e.g. Olympic Trials, Games Anniversaries, etc.) as determined by COC’s strategic plan
• Support Business Development team with evaluation of net-new partnership and/or commercial opportunities

Team Management

• Manage direct report(s) and oversee external resources to ensure all team members are executing with defined roles and responsibilities within the Commercial Affairs function
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting on an annual and quadrennial basis
• Inform annual strategy & planning including objective setting
• Other duties, as assigned
   

QUALIFICATIONS AND CRITICAL SKILLS

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary degree or equivalent experience in Marketing, Sport Business, or a related field
• 4-6 years of proven marketing experience, in partnerships and/or sports marketing

Skills and Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communications skills. Bilingualism (French, English) is an asset
• Strong time management skills to meet deadlines and deploy resources in areas that have greatest positive impact on results
• Passionate about sport from grassroots to high performance
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated best in class client service experience
• Curiosity for and desire to learn more about the business of sport
• Self-starter, with the ability to work effectively within a team environment
• Strong balance between attention to detail and the bigger picture
• Ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with various internal and external colleagues/stakeholders.
• An affinity for building strong relationships
• Digital/social media familiarity, experience with platforms an asset
• Strong computer software expertise required, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook
• Proven leadership and/or people/team management experience
• Demonstrates and embodies the COC values of Accountability, Excellence, Fun, Respect and Bravery

COMPENSATION

Competitive salary based on experience, excellent benefits package. 

CONTACT

Please submit your cover letter and resume through ADP by October 22, 2025.

The COC is committed to ensuring our recruitment and selection processes and work environment are inclusive and barrier-free. At the COC, we celebrate and welcome the diversity of all employees and believe that having a team of individuals with different backgrounds, views, experience, and capability working together makes us stronger and better as an organization.

Accommodation is also available upon request for individuals taking part in all stages of our recruitment and selection processes. Please advise the recruiter to ensure your accessibility needs due to a disability are accommodated. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.