At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead partnerships to drive revenue and enhance relationships in the world of golf.
- Company: Join The R&A, a passionate team dedicated to growing golf globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus scheme, and 35 days holiday each year.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse perspectives and experiences.
- Why this job: Shape the future of golf while working with top brands and events.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in partnerships, sponsorship management, and financial forecasting.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We are The R&A.
Our mission is to open golf to the world.
We have over 300 employees who are passionate about uniting golf and golfers through common rules and governance, inspiring through the staging of world class championships including The Open and AIG Women’s Open and leading through working to shape the future of golf with our partners.
The R&A governs the Rules of Golf, the World Handicap System, equipment standards and rankings in partnership with the USGA, while supporting both established and emerging formats of the game.
In the next five years we aim to attract 22 million additional golfers, generate more than £1.5 billion in economic benefit through our championships, create more than £25 billion in social value, establish more than 200 strategic partnerships and generate more than 5 billion fan interactions.
As our Head of Commercial Partnerships, you will lead and implement on the medium to long term sponsorship strategy by cultivating existing relationships to drive additional spend that grows organisational revenue and positively impacts overall departmental objectives.
You will work with the Director and other senior leaders in the organisation to play an active role in setting the strategic direction of Partnerships and communicating this internally and externally to key stakeholders.
You will have shared accountability for budgets relating to finance, profit, and expenditure, and be expected to lead on forecasting.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading and managing the partnership management team in the successful delivery of all Supplier sponsorship rights, working with multiple departments and external agencies regarding event planning, staging, operational aspects and reporting at The Open, AIG Women’s Open, and other Championships as required.
- Leading the decision making that drives positive impact on the departmental P&L specifically relation to Patrons Hospitality programmes including the management of our hospitality consultants, agencies, and multiple contractors.
- Collaborating extensively with stakeholders across the organisation.
Gathering and collating departmental requirements, influencing, negotiating, and persuading as required whilst ensuring relationships are managed and maintained, escalating where required to the Director, to enhance the opportunities for our commercial partners across The R&A and championships, developing new rights, concepts and driving innovation.
- Developing activities and actions that deliver against incremental revenue targets through negotiating contracts with strong partner upsells of at least six figures, renewals increasing year on year that are supported by creative asset ideation and use of progressive reporting techniques, data, and insights.
- Accountable for the holistic contract process from negotiation, influencing to completion with third parties for all patrons for revenue that is in excess of seven figures.
- Contributing personally and oversees the team’s ability to effectively manage risk and consequent implications on customer confidence, external reputation and financial performance of the Partnership function.
- Responsible for ensuring the partnerships function is constantly evolving and improving the delivery of rights and partnership management support to The R&A commercial partners to the highest industry standards.
- Lead the budget management forecasting, tracking, and invoicing of current partners across multiple P&L’s, highlighting potential impacts and providing profitable solutions.
- Proactively grow relationships and collaborate with key stakeholders within the company, department, and external agencies to drive best practice and ensure we are aligning with organisational objectives.
- Review and evaluate the creation and distribution of Partnership propositions, proactively identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
Work with the Director and other members of the senior management team to set and review the strategic direction of the proposition over a 1–3-year period, in line with departmental aims.
What we are looking for
- Extensive experience in a senior partnerships or commercial role, ideally within the sports or media industries.
- Advanced knowledge and experience of working in sponsorship account management.
- A proven track record in effective management of involved sales process specifically relating to high-net-worth individuals by way of effective negotiation and influencing skills.
- Experience in advertising, marketing, digital rights delivery, and brand development, including but not limited to, dealing with and presenting to brands.
- European Sponsorship Diploma or relevant experience.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, both internally and externally.
- Extensive experience in financial management including budgeting and forecasting.
What we offer
We offer a great benefits package including the following
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme
- Company Pension Scheme and Sick Pay
- Life Insurance Cover
- Enhanced Maternity/Partner Pay
- 35 Days Holiday Per Year
- Free tickets to The Open and AIG Women’s Open each year (and other relevant R&A Championships)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
- Contribution towards glasses for VDU use
- Discounts available across 800 UK retailers and local businesses, such as gym membership
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
Bring your perspective. Shape the future of golf.
Everyone is welcome at The R&A
We want to build a workplace where suitably qualified people from all backgrounds, perspectives and experiences can thrive.
We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience and workplace.
We're committed to making our recruitment process accessible and offering reasonable adjustments.
If there's anything we can do to help you participate fully in any stage of the process, please let us know.
We'll be happy to discuss what would work for you.
We will need to confirm you have the right to work in the UK.
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Head of Commercial Partnerships employer: The R&A
As an Operations Manager at The Open, you will join a dynamic and collaborative team dedicated to delivering world-class sporting events. Our company fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment. Located in the heart of the UK, we provide a unique chance to work on high-profile championships while engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders, ensuring your contributions are both meaningful and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Partnerships
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Partnerships
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 The R&A 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 The R&A
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with The R&A, 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.
