At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial growth through strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships in professional sport.
- Company: Join a purpose-driven organisation focused on social impact and commercial success.
- Benefits: Generous salary, flexible working, private medical insurance, and mental health support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and international engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the sports industry while building valuable connections.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in commercial partnerships or business development within professional sport.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 48000 £ per year.
£40,000 - 48,000 plus generous commission
25 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 28 with service
Additional discretionary days: birthday, wellbeing day and one volunteer day
Flexible working
Private medical insurance and medical cashback plan
Myndup - free coaching and mental health support with a trained psychologist
Death in service benefit
Access to financial planning advice and retail discounts
Employee Assistance Programme
Training & Development opportunities
Role Overview
The Senior Sports Commercial Partnerships Manager is responsible for driving commercial growth through the development of strategic partnerships, stakeholder relationships and new business opportunities across professional sport and adjacent sectors. Operating across the UK and North America, and with a remit to support expansion into new territories and sectors, this role will focus on building meaningful relationships with clubs, leagues, governing bodies, federations and industry partners that enhance EPIC's reach, influence and revenue. Reporting to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will lead partnership development, business growth and commercial opportunities across EPIC's portfolio of education, consultancy, training and awareness services. They will be a credible ambassador for EPIC, comfortable engaging with senior leaders and decision-makers across global sport. This is a hands-on commercial role for someone who thrives on relationship building, industry networking and creating partnerships that deliver both commercial success and meaningful social impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Partnerships & Business Growth
- Own and deliver against individual revenue targets, with accountability for pipeline performance and commercial outcomes.
- Develop and manage a portfolio of strategic partnerships that generate sustainable revenue and long-term organisational value.
- Build, manage and convert a high-quality pipeline across sports organisations, educational institutions and strategic partner networks.
- Lead commercial discussions from initial engagement through to proposal development, negotiation and contract completion.
- Identify opportunities to grow existing partnerships and expand EPIC's footprint across new sectors, audiences and territories.
- Drive revenue growth across EPIC's full suite of services, including consultancy, education, training, awareness and digital solutions.
- Sports Industry Engagement & Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clubs, leagues, governing bodies, player associations, rights holders and other key stakeholders.
- Develop partnership opportunities aligned to the priorities and challenges facing modern sporting organisations.
- Represent EPIC at industry events, conferences, networking forums and stakeholder meetings to build profile, influence and commercial opportunity.
- Leverage existing networks while proactively developing new relationships that support EPIC's strategic objectives.
- Work closely with the marketing team to develop partnership campaigns, thought leadership and business development initiatives.
- Strategic Partnerships & Market Development
- Identify, assess and pursue new partnership opportunities that support EPIC's growth ambitions and social impact objectives.
- Conduct market and stakeholder research to identify emerging trends, opportunities and areas for expansion.
- Develop commercial cases and go-to-market approaches for new sectors, services and territories.
- Establish partnerships that enhance EPIC's visibility, credibility and access to new audiences.
- Contribute market intelligence and stakeholder insight to support commercial planning and strategic decision-making.
- Commercial Planning & Performance
- Maintain accurate pipeline management, forecasting and reporting through CRM systems and commercial dashboards.
- Produce regular performance updates and commercial insights for the Senior Leadership Team.
- Manage pricing, proposals and contract negotiations within agreed commercial frameworks.
- Ensure commercial activity is tracked, measured and evaluated against agreed KPIs and revenue objectives.
- Maintain high standards of commercial governance, reporting accuracy and stakeholder management.
Person Specification
Essential
- 3+ years' experience in commercial partnerships, sponsorship, business development or revenue generation within professional sport or a related sector.
- Demonstrable success building and managing strategic partnerships that deliver measurable commercial outcomes.
- Strong personal network across professional sport, including clubs, leagues, governing bodies, rights holders, educational institutions or sports-related organisations.
- Strong understanding of the sports industry landscape and stakeholder ecosystem.
- Proven track record of achieving commercial and revenue targets through relationship-led business development.
- Experience engaging, influencing and building credibility with senior decision-makers and stakeholders.
- Experience operating across multiple markets or territories.
- Excellent relationship-building, stakeholder management and networking skills.
- Strong pipeline management and CRM discipline, with the ability to forecast accurately and manage commercial activity effectively.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage confidently at executive and board level.
- High levels of energy, initiative and commercial curiosity, with a proactive approach to identifying and creating opportunities.
- Genuine alignment with EPIC's mission and values, with an appreciation of the balance between commercial growth and social impact.
Desirable
- Experience working with sports rights holders, sponsorship programmes or commercial partnership activation.
- Existing relationships within professional sports clubs, leagues, governing bodies, or player associations in the UK or North America.
- Experience within international sport, sports consultancy, sports marketing or athlete welfare environments.
- Experience representing an organisation at industry events, conferences and stakeholder forums.
- Experience working within a purpose-led organisation or social impact sector.
- Knowledge of athlete welfare, safeguarding, integrity, mental wellbeing or gambling harm prevention within sport.
- Experience using CRM platforms, Monday.com or similar commercial management systems.
Senior Sports Commercial Partnerships Manager in Guildford employer: EPIC Global Solutions
EPIC is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary alongside generous benefits such as flexible working, private medical insurance, and dedicated mental health support. With a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation, employees are encouraged to build meaningful relationships within the sports industry while contributing to impactful social initiatives, making it a rewarding place to advance your career in commercial partnerships.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Sports Commercial Partnerships Manager in Guildford
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like EPIC Global Solutions. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including EPIC Global Solutions. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Sports Commercial Partnerships Manager in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining EPIC Global Solutions aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at EPIC Global Solutions
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with EPIC Global Solutions, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
