Activation Manager

Workplace Circumstances

• Environment: Office
• Languages: English, Khmer
• Location: Phnom Penh

Position Summary

JOB CATEGORY: Digital Marketing and Advertising Agency

Department: Service Operations

Working Days: Monday – Friday

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Working Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Monday – Friday); flexibility for evening and weekend work during activations

Report to: Service Operation Director

Salary Range: Negotiable based on experience and qualifications

Job Summary

The Activation Manager leads the agency's brand activation and experiential marketing work, owning the strategy, delivery, and commercial performance of below-the-line (BTL) campaigns for key clients. This senior role translates client business objectives into activation strategies, including roadshows, sampling, in-store and trade promotions, product launches, consumer events, and integrated online-to-offline (O2O) experiences, and oversees their execution nationwide. The Activation Manager leads the activation team, manages budgets and margins, builds long-term client and vendor partnerships, and drives new business growth, while working with the Service Operation Director to set standards for quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Activation Strategy & Campaign Leadership
• Translate client marketing and sales objectives into activation strategies, concepts, mechanics, and measurable KPIs.
• Lead the development of activation proposals, including concepts, location strategy, manpower plans, timelines, and budgets, in collaboration with Account Service and Creative teams.
• Oversee the planning and execution of multiple concurrent activations across Phnom Penh and the provinces, ensuring consistent delivery to brand standards.
• Lead on-ground at flagship and high-risk activations, and act as the senior escalation point for issues during execution.
• Commercial & Budget Management
• Own activation budgets, cost estimates, and quotations, and ensure each project meets agreed revenue and margin targets.
• Review and approve project costs, expenses, and cash advances, and report financial performance and variances to the Service Operation Director.
• Contribute to annual revenue planning and pricing standards for activation services.
• Identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities without compromising activation quality, safety, or impact.
• Team Leadership & Field Force Management
• Lead, coach, and develop the activation team, including activation executives, coordinators, and supervisors; set objectives and conduct performance reviews.
• Plan team structure, resourcing, and workload across projects, and recommend hiring needs to the Service Operation Director.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and management of promoters, brand ambassadors, MCs, and field staff, including grooming, conduct, and attendance standards.
• Build and maintain a reliable pool of promoters and freelance field staff to support large-scale and multi-location activations.
• Client Partnership & Business Development
• Serve as the senior activation lead for key clients, presenting strategies, progress updates, and campaign results.
• Build long-term client relationships and identify opportunities to grow activation scope and retainer business.
• Lead the activation component of new business pitches, including ideas, mechanics, and cost estimates.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and new activation formats, and introduce innovative ideas, including digital and O2O integration.
• Vendor, Logistics, Quality & Safety
• Build and manage a network of strategic activation vendors, including booth fabricators, sound and lighting, staging, transport, printing, and premium suppliers, and negotiate pricing and terms in line with company procurement policies.
• Oversee logistics, venue bookings, permits, and approvals from authorities, malls, outlets, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure activations comply with brand guidelines, local regulations, venue rules, and health, safety, and security requirements, including crowd management.
• Establish risk assessments and contingency plans, and escalate major risks to timelines, budgets, safety, or quality to the Service Operation Director.
• Performance Measurement, Reporting & Process Improvement
• Define activation KPIs and tracking methods, such as consumer reach, samples distributed, sales conversion, leads, and engagement, and ensure accurate field reporting.
• Review and present post-activation reports with results, insights, ROI analysis, and recommendations to clients and management.
• Work closely with Account Service, Creative, Production, and Social Media teams to deliver integrated campaigns.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve SOPs, checklists, and workflows for activation planning, execution, and reporting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• Public holidays and annual leave in accordance with Cambodian Labour Law.
• NSSF registration and coverage as applicable.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.
• Collaborative and professional working environment.
• Seniority Pay

Languages

• Khmer - Good
• English - Good

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Event Management, Communications, or a related field; a master's degree is an advantage.

General & Technical Skills

• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in brand activation, BTL, events, or trade marketing, preferably in an advertising, activation, or event agency, including at least 3–4 years in a managerial role leading a team.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale, multi-location activations and nationwide roadshows for major FMCG, telecom, banking, or consumer brands.
• Demonstrated experience managing activation budgets, project profitability, and senior client relationships.
• Strong knowledge of activation logistics, vendor management, permits, and event safety; proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace.
• Good command of Khmer and English, both written and spoken; willingness to travel to provinces is required, and a valid driving license is an advantage.

Soft Skills

• Strategic thinking and the ability to turn client objectives into effective activation solutions.
• Strong leadership, people development, and team management.
• Commercial acumen, budgeting, and negotiation.
• Client management, presentation, and pitching skills.
• Quick decision-making and problem-solving on-ground and under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with strong attention to quality and safety.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends, with professionalism and integrity.