At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial partnerships to boost revenue and enrich lives through Rugby.
- Company: Join the RFU, a key player in England Rugby's success.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, mentorship opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team driving innovation in Rugby partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sports while developing your career in a vibrant industry.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The RFU’s Commercial Partnerships Programme currently generates in excess of £39M per annum for England Rugby and is a major component of our investment back into the game to fulfil our core purpose of enriching lives through Rugby. The Commercial Partnership Lead will help maximise the organisation’s commercial revenue in line with both the Commercial Partnership Strategy and the RFU’s 2030 Strategy. The role will lead on both new prospects sales and renewals, working closely with external Sales Agencies and the internal Partnership team.
What will you be doing? Some key responsibilities include:
- Sales – shape and execute the ‘go to market’ strategy of major assets; direct and lead existing Sales Agency to develop leads, secure meetings and build relationships with prospective partners at senior levels through outbound approaches, existing corporate relationships and generally building an industry network and profile.
- Building a Business Case – Define and champion the RFU’s partnership narrative incorporating core belief/purpose, collaborating with internal senior stakeholders to shape commercial assets and properties to help secure new commercial partners to the organisation.
- Asset Development – lead cross-departmental initiatives at the RFU to evolve and diversify valuable partnership assets in line with the needs of the business.
- Strategic Renewals & negotiation – Lead on renewal discussions, in line with the Commercial Partnership Strategy, implementing competitive frameworks to maximise long‑term revenue streams.
- Talent Development & Mentorship – Provide strategic direction and professional mentorship to the Commercial Partnership Sales Executive, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring departmental targets are met.
- Executive Support & Business Acumen – Act as a strategic advisor to the Commercial Senior Leadership Team, contributing to broad-scale commercial projects that impact the organization's long‑term financial health.
- Insight-driven Business Development – Direct the research and analysis of emerging business models and prospective partners, leveraging data to build compelling, evidence-based business cases for investment.
- Research Analysis – Liaison with the RFU’s current commercial partnerships research agency as well as the commissioning of new research reports to provide robust data and analysis to support the business case for an RFU partnership.
- CRM Management – Lead the evolution of the CRM ecosystem, governing data integrity and lead‑tracking processes to ensure a transparent, high-performing sales pipeline.
- Contractual Process – Lead the conclusion of complex partnership agreements, presiding over commercial term negotiations and partnering with Legal to ensure robust risk management and contractual compliance.
Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU at all times, including the promotion of the RFU Core Values. Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the RFU.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Significant experience of undertaking the full sales process from the initial outreach right through to closing out high value commercial deals. Rights holder experience preferential.
- Proven track record of building valuable commercial relationships and the ability to influence and sell new concepts at a senior level.
- Demonstrable track record of developing and sustaining internal relationships across multiple business units / departments to aid the scoping and packaging of commercial propositions.
- An ability to construct best‑in‑class sales materials and presentations.
- Understanding and utilisation of a CRM system to help deliver against specific business objectives.
- Credible experience of effectively commissioning, utilising and analysing research and insight data to develop lead generation.
- Good knowledge and understanding of sponsorship and sports marketing industry.
Skills and Personal Attributes:
- Proven sales experience.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- First class relationship builder.
- Organised and process driven.
- Financially literate.
- High commercial acumen.
- Passion, energy and drive with a results-oriented approach.
Commercial Partnership Business Development Lead employer: England Rugby
The RFU is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions personal and professional growth within the vibrant world of rugby. With a strong focus on enriching lives through sport, employees benefit from a collaborative culture, comprehensive mentorship opportunities, and the chance to contribute to significant commercial initiatives that shape the future of rugby in England. Located at the heart of the sport, the RFU provides a unique platform for passionate individuals to thrive while making a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Partnership Business Development Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks, attend events, and engage on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a killer pitch that highlights your experience in sales and relationship building. Be ready to discuss how you can drive revenue and develop partnerships that align with the RFU’s goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Research is key! Dive deep into the RFU’s current partnerships and understand their commercial strategy. This will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the RFU team.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Partnership Business Development Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Commercial Partnership Business Development Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in sales and relationship building, and show how you align with the RFU’s core values and 2030 Strategy.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in previous roles. Use numbers and data to illustrate how you've maximised revenue or built valuable partnerships, as this will resonate well with us.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We want to see your passion for rugby and your drive to enrich lives through the sport. Share why you’re excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application gets to the right people quickly and helps us keep track of all candidates efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at England Rugby
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with the RFU’s financials and commercial partnerships. Being able to discuss how the £39M generated annually impacts the game will show your understanding of the role's significance.
✨Craft Your Partnership Narrative
Prepare a compelling narrative that aligns with the RFU’s core beliefs and purpose. Think about how you can shape commercial assets to attract new partners, and be ready to share your ideas during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Sales Process Expertise
Be ready to discuss your experience with the full sales process, from outreach to closing deals. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully built relationships and influenced senior stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Data Savvy
Familiarise yourself with CRM systems and be prepared to talk about how you’ve used data to drive business decisions. Discuss any experience you have with research and analysis in developing business cases for partnerships.
