At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead athlete brand marketing and exciting collaborations to elevate women's football.
- Company: Join WSL Football, transforming women's professional football in England.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model, competitive salary, and a chance to shape the future of women's sports.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a movement that empowers female athletes and engages younger fans.
- Qualifications: Experience in athlete brand marketing and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Welcome to a new era for women's professional football in England. With the creation of WSL Football, an independent company solely dedicated to the women's professional game, we can transform women's football in this country. And by transforming football, we transform society. WSL Football will accelerate the sustainable growth of the women's game. Our leagues (Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2) are already the pinnacle of domestic women's club football.
This role focuses on two of our most exciting growth areas: Athlete Brand Marketing and Brand Collaborations. This season, we piloted an Athlete Brand Marketing Programme with 6 of our 24 clubs, and we're looking to expand the pilot for 2026/27, bringing more clubs in and evolving the model as we go. You'll lead the strategy and delivery (with agency support), working closely with players to help them build their personal brands and commercial prospects.
In summary, you'll own day-to-day planning and delivery across clubs, agencies and partners - scaling and improving our Athlete Brand Marketing Programme, while creating collaborations that bring WSL Football to new audiences and build our connection with younger fans. This role is advertised as a fixed-term contract for up to a period of 12 months.
What will you be doing?
- Athlete Brand Marketing Programme - Strategy & Expansion: Lead the expansion of the Athlete Brand Marketing Programme pilot from 2026/27, including iteration of the delivery model and selection of clubs.
- Athlete Brand Marketing Programme - Delivery, Agency & Evaluation: Oversee end‑to‑end execution of the programme, including the management of skills lab sessions in club environments and day‑to‑day operational planning.
- Club Relationships & Partner Integration: Build incredibly strong working relationships with clubs, providing clear guidance, proactive communication and consistent support throughout the season.
- Brand Ambassadors: Lead the relationship, planning and marketing execution with WSL Brand Ambassadors, ensuring activity supports league priorities.
- Brand Collaborations & New Audiences: Collaborate with the Head of Brand Marketing on the creation of new brand IP targeted at Gen Alpha.
- Budget Management: Oversee management of the budget associated with your workstreams, tracking spend and ensuring activity is delivered efficiently.
- Coaching: Support the Marketing Team Coordinator and oversee workload delivery and coaching.
- Other: Execute additional tasks as required to meet Women's Super League Football's changing priorities.
What are we looking for?
Essential For The Role:
- Proven athlete brand marketing experience.
- Brilliant communication skills.
- Experience designing and scaling programmes.
- Strong delivery and operations capability.
- Excellent club and stakeholder relationship management.
- Proven agency management.
- Strong collaboration and influencing skills.
- Analytical mindset.
- Budget and resource management.
- Digitally confident and highly organised.
- Very flexible approach to working hours and travel.
Beneficial To Have:
- Strong understanding of women's football and the evolving fan/cultural landscape.
- Experience working directly with football clubs and / football talent.
- Experience collaborating with broadcasters, social platforms or major commercial partners.
- Exposure to licensing and IP development.
- Comfortable in a growth‑phase organisation.
Living The Values Through Our Behaviours:
- FOR THE LOVE OF THE WOMEN'S GAME – Every decision we make drives the growth, quality, and impact of women's football for future generations.
- GREATNESS NEVER SETTLES – We have the relentless drive to keep the women's game growing and reaching for more.
- FIND A WAY TO WIN, TOGETHER – We move as one – lifting each other and having each other's backs.
- CHAMPION THE FEMALE ATHLETE, ON AND OFF THE PITCH – We celebrate and support female athletes.
- PUT FANS IN THE FRONT ROW – Fans are the VIPs at the heart of our game.
The Women's Super League Football office is based in Farringdon in Central London. The team are working within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. Women's Super League Football welcomes applications from everyone.
Marketing Manager - Athlete Brand & Brand Collaboration (FTC) employer: Kick it Out
At WSL Football, we are not just transforming women's football; we are creating a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions innovation and collaboration. Based in the heart of Central London, our hybrid working model offers flexibility while fostering strong relationships with clubs and players, ensuring every team member has the opportunity to grow and make a meaningful impact in the sport. Join us in shaping the future of women's football and be part of a passionate team dedicated to empowering female athletes and engaging fans like never before.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Marketing Manager - Athlete Brand & Brand Collaboration (FTC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for women's football and athlete branding shine through. Share your ideas on how to engage fans and elevate the game – it’ll make you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio or examples of past work that highlight your experience in athlete brand marketing. Whether it’s campaigns you’ve run or collaborations you’ve facilitated, having tangible proof of your impact will impress hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about making connections and finding the right fit. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our exciting journey in women’s football!
We think you need these skills to ace Marketing Manager - Athlete Brand & Brand Collaboration (FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your love for women's football shine through! We want to see how passionate you are about the game and how that passion can translate into your work with us.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in athlete brand marketing. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've worked with athletes to build their brands. The more tailored your application is, the better!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to understand. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with WSL Football.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kick it Out
✨Know Your Athlete Brand Marketing
Make sure you brush up on your athlete brand marketing knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've helped athletes shape their personal brands and the impact it had. This role is all about building relationships with players, so show them you understand their world!
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Brilliant communication is key in this role. Prepare to demonstrate how you've built rapport with players and club staff in the past. Think of anecdotes that highlight your ability to connect and collaborate effectively, as this will be crucial for success.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Programme Scaling
Since you'll be leading the expansion of the Athlete Brand Marketing Programme, come prepared with ideas on how to iterate and scale programmes. Share your experience in designing and executing similar initiatives, and be ready to discuss how you would approach this challenge.
✨Understand the Women's Football Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in women's football and the cultural landscape surrounding it. Be prepared to discuss how you can leverage this knowledge to create brand collaborations that resonate with younger audiences. Showing your passion for the game will definitely set you apart!
