Partnerships Retail Lead

Partnerships Retail Lead

Leeds Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Leeds United

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead retail partnerships and enhance commercial outcomes for Leeds United.
  • Company: Join the passionate team at Leeds United, a leading football club.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free gym access, staff tickets, discounts, and personalised training support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with top partners.
  • Qualifications: 4+ years in retail partnerships, strong analytical skills, and excellent relationship management.
  • Other info: Flexible hours required; be part of a supportive team that values your voice.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

Join to apply for the Partnerships Retail Lead role at Leeds United

Location: Elland Road Stadium – LS11 0ES

Reports to: Head of Partnership Activation

Application Deadline: 1st October 2025

At Leeds United, we know that success on the pitch starts with strength behind the scenes. We are seeking a driven and detail-oriented Partnerships Retail Lead to join our expanding Partnerships team. This new position has been created as part of an evolving retail operations model and presents an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in aligning retail initiatives with strategic partnership goals. Reporting to the Head of Partnership Activation, the successful candidate will execute the delivery of key retail operations, manage partner retail rights & activity, and collaborate across departments to enhance commercial outcomes.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will be responsible for planning and executing high-quality retail deliverables that support both club-wide retail strategies and bespoke partner objectives. You’ll ensure alignment across internal stakeholders, external partners, and third-party providers. Your work will be instrumental in strengthening Leeds United’s retail offering, enhancing partner satisfaction, and contributing to the club’s commercial growth.

  • Manage the day-to-day relationship with the retail operator with a focus on driving club alignment, data analysis and reporting, helping to identify new product opportunities and appropriate retail growth areas.
  • To deliver specific contractual brand requirements and be the club lead on internal retail working groups to ensure alignment.
  • Manage the day-to-day relationships with the technical kit partner and retail partners to ensure effective and efficient delivery of contractual rights and partnership assets.
  • Coordinate licensing approvals and key processes with the dedicated retail operator.
  • Manage all relevant club and dedicated retail operator product approvals to ensure correct application of Club IP and support brand management and IP protection across all retail and partner materials.
  • Manage the clubs key design and approval processes, leveraging input from relevant internal departments to align on first team product design and endorsement plans that are critical to the Club and Technical kit partner success.
  • Management of technical kit partner orders and product buy for the Club. This key role will ensure that team kits, staff allocations and Club orders are processed efficiently and to the highest standard. You will oversee the entire order process from forecasting, ordering through to tracking, delivery and distribution. You will work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure orders are processed and fulfilled.
  • Oversee all Club-related product fulfilment, retail deliverables & partnership operations
  • Help define and implement a Partnership and Club wide gifting process to service the needs of the organisation and commercial requirements.
  • Work alongside relevant retail stakeholders to define and implement an effective process for partners to secure premiums and co-branded product to support partnership activation requirements.
  • Develop and manage relationships with key suppliers, partners, agencies and internal stakeholders

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone proactive, personable, and who thrives in a busy environment.

You’ll ideally have:

  • Minimum of 4 years’ experience in retail partnerships, merchandise buying, ecommerce and licensing, preferably within a sports or entertainment environment.
  • A strong understanding of order management and inventory systems is essential
  • Strong analytical experience across retail sales and performance data
  • Experience managing product processing, delivery and fulfilment, ideally with Technical Kit partners and sportswear brands.
  • Experience with Microsoft Suite, including Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word
  • Experience building excellent working relationships and dealing with senior stakeholders, both internally and externally
  • Flexible approach to working hours there will be a requirement to work weekends/evenings to attend matches and events.

Why Should You Join Leeds United?

Whether you are on the pitch or behind the scenes here, we’re united by passion, pride, and a drive to always improve. You’ll be joining a supportive people team where your voice is valued and your development matters. In return for your dedication, you’ll receive a competitive salary package and pension scheme, along with a range of exciting perks, including but not limited to:

  • Free on-site gym access & free parking
  • A variety of healthy food options available on-site
  • Personalized annual Training and Education support
  • Enhanced family-friendly policies and support
  • Access to staff football tickets
  • Exclusive discounts at our club shop
  • Special offers and enhanced discounts through our key sponsors and partners
  • Plus, many more unique benefits that come with being part of our club community

If you’re looking to take the next step in your career and want to be part of a club that’s as committed to its people as it is to performance, we would love to see your application.

Apply here: https://www.leedsunited.com/en/club/careers

Seniority level

  • Associate

Employment type

  • Full-time

Job function

  • Other

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Partnerships Retail Lead employer: Leeds United

At Leeds United, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions personal and professional growth. As a Partnerships Retail Lead, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits including free gym access and staff discounts, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment at the iconic Elland Road Stadium. Join us in our commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch, where your contributions will directly impact our club's success and community.
Leeds United

Contact Detail:

Leeds United Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Partnerships Retail Lead

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those connected to Leeds United. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the club’s recent partnerships and retail initiatives. Show us you’re not just passionate about football but also understand how retail plays a role in the club's success. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with our goals.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in retail partnerships and how you can contribute to Leeds United’s commercial growth.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Partnerships Retail Lead position.

We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Retail Lead

Retail Partnerships Management
Merchandise Buying
Ecommerce
Licensing
Order Management
Inventory Systems
Analytical Skills
Data Analysis
Product Processing
Delivery and Fulfilment
Microsoft Suite (Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word)
Relationship Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Flexibility in Working Hours

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Partnerships Retail Lead role. Highlight your retail partnerships experience and any relevant achievements to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit for Leeds United. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role involves data analysis, be sure to mention any experience you have with retail sales performance data. We love candidates who can demonstrate their analytical prowess and how it can benefit our team.

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 the Partnerships Retail Lead position. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds United

✨Know Your Retail Partnerships

Before the interview, dive deep into Leeds United's retail partnerships and their recent initiatives. Understanding how they align with club goals will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can contribute to their success.

✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used data analysis in previous roles. Highlight your experience with retail sales performance data and how it has influenced your decision-making. This will demonstrate your ability to drive commercial outcomes effectively.

✨Build Relationships

Think of examples where you've successfully managed relationships with partners or stakeholders. Be ready to share how you navigated challenges and maintained strong connections, as this role requires excellent interpersonal skills.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific situations, like managing product fulfilment or coordinating with multiple departments. Practise your responses to these scenarios, focusing on your proactive approach and problem-solving abilities.

Partnerships Retail Lead
Leeds United
Location: Leeds
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