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- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships with football clubs and governing bodies to drive revenue growth.
- Company: Join Fanatics Commerce, a leader in licensed sports merchandise with a passion for fans.
- Benefits: Competitive benefits package, hybrid working, and a culture of collaboration and support.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the sports industry while working with top-tier talent.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in partnerships or business development, preferably in sports retail.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
At Fanatics Commerce, we're more than just a leader in licensed sports merchandise - we're a team united by a relentless passion for our fans and a commitment to innovation. We live by our BOLD Leadership principles: We Build Championship Teams, we're Obsessed with Fans, we embrace a Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and we approach every challenge with a Determined and Relentless Mindset. If you're ready to contribute to a dynamic, fast-paced environment that thrives on collaboration and growth, we want you to be part of our team.
Role Profile
The Director, Partnerships will lead and develop strategic relationships with key partners, including National Federations, Premier League, League 1, and Championship clubs, as well as global governing bodies and football associations. As the primary strategic contact, you will nurture relationships and maximise commercial opportunities. Collaborating closely with internal teams, you will drive revenue growth, elevate brand presence, and deliver exceptional value to our partners retail business.
How you will make an impact
- Strategic Partnership Growth: Lead senior-level relationships with associations, leagues, and clubs, ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes. Develop and execute strategies to grow and commercially enhance partnerships. Proactively identify renewal and new commercialization opportunities. Monitor and analyze performance metrics to optimize financial returns for Fanatics and partners.
- Leadership & Management: Provide strong leadership to inspire confidence, and drive effective change. Manage the full partnership lifecycle: onboarding, ongoing reviews, escalations, and relationship nurturing. Oversee internal teams, ensuring seamless communication and delivery of commitments.
- Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with senior leadership, ecommerce, product development, licensing, new business, buying, marketing, and operations to align on launches, partner goals. Drive revenue growth through partner activations and joint marketing initiatives. Hold teams accountable to deliver on time and within plan.
- Innovation, Marketing & Best Practices: Stay current with industry trends, competitor activities, and developments in sports retail. Introduce innovative ideas and best practices to enhance partnership value and fan engagement.
- Relationship Management & Retention: Build and maintain trusted advisor-level relationships with senior stakeholders in partner organizations, ensuring mutual satisfaction. Represent Fanatics as the face of the brand within the sports community. Ensure ongoing partner satisfaction.
- Strategic Business Reviews: Lead performance reviews against contracts and business plans with partners, involving internal teams to present relevant data.
What you bring to the team
- Experience: 8+ years in partnerships, account management, or business development, preferably in sports.
- Retail & Ecommerce: Proven experience in a sports retail-focused or ecommerce businesses.
- Leadership: Demonstrated ability managing senior client relationships; strong negotiation and strategic thinking skills.
- Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of football club operations, league structures, and fan engagement strategies.
- Commercial Acumen: Track record of driving revenue growth through strategic partnerships.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to influence at all levels.
- Analytical Skills: Skilled in analysing complex data and market trends to inform strategy.
- Problem-Solving: Capable of managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Highly Desirable: Background in ecommerce and retail environments.
- Travel: Willingness to travel internationally as required.
- Education: Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Sports Management, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Work Ethic: Driven to meet goals and exceed partner expectations.
- Personable: Team oriented, able to build relationships at all levels.
Where you will be based: Manchester, hybrid working 3 days per week.
At Fanatics, we value transparency and honesty. If you don't meet every single requirement, that's okay - we still want to hear from you! We believe in the power of diverse experiences and talents. If you're excited about the role and confident that you can contribute, don't hesitate to apply. We're genuinely interested in how your unique skills and perspective can help us build something amazing together.
Culture: Join a team where you're surrounded by top-tier talent, driven by a shared passion to relentlessly enhance the fan experience. With a focus on collaboration, support, and continuous development, you'll be empowered to help shape our culture that celebrates both individual and team successes.
Benefits: At Fanatics, we're dedicated to supporting you in all aspects of work and life; as such we offer a range of competitive benefits tailored to each country in which we operate. Specific details regarding the benefits package applicable to your location will be shared and discussed during the interview process.
Partnerships Director - Football in Manchester employer: Fanatics, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Fanatics, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Partnerships Director - Football in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the football industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners on LinkedIn. Building relationships is key to landing that Partnerships Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for football! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your insights on current trends in the sport and how they could impact partnerships. It’ll set you apart from the crowd!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tough questions! Think about how you would handle various scenarios related to partnership management and revenue growth. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re all about making connections and want to see your application come through. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Fanatics and contributing to our mission of enhancing the fan experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Director - Football in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for football and partnerships shine through. We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our commitment to fans and innovation.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in partnerships and sports retail. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to drive revenue growth and manage relationships effectively.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your skills and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Fanatics.
How to prepare for a job interview at Fanatics, Inc.
✨Know Your Partnerships
Before the interview, dive deep into the partnerships that Fanatics has established. Familiarise yourself with their key partners, especially in football, and think about how you can contribute to enhancing those relationships. This shows your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or managed senior client relationships. Highlight your negotiation skills and strategic thinking, as these are crucial for the Partnerships Director role. Be ready to discuss how you inspire confidence and drive effective change.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles that drove revenue growth through partnerships. Use data and performance metrics to back up your claims, as this will demonstrate your analytical skills and understanding of financial returns.
✨Engage with Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in sports retail and fan engagement strategies. Bring insights to the interview about how these trends could impact Fanatics and suggest innovative ideas that could enhance partnership value. This will show your proactive approach and passion for the industry.
