Partnerships Manager

Partnerships Manager

Full-Time 40000 - 50000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Women's Super League Football

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and activate partnerships to elevate women's football in England.
  • Company: Join the Women's Super League Football, a leader in transforming women's sports.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, vibrant work culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with a commitment to innovation and inclusivity.
  • Why this job: Be part of a movement that champions female athletes and engages passionate fans.
  • Qualifications: Strong relationship management skills and experience in partnership activation.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.

The incorporation of WSL Football marks the beginning of a new era for women's professional football in England. Led by our CEO, Nikki Doucet, the new company is founded on a new vision and mission to transform women's football by building the most distinctive, competitive and entertaining women's football club competition in the world for the players and fans of today and tomorrow. Women's football in England has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, marked by increased fan engagement, rising attendance at matches, and a surge in participation at all levels. WSL Football is fiercely committed to building on this momentum by creating a thriving landscape which prioritises the welfare and development of players, fosters and excites a vibrant fan community, and nurtures the sport's growth.

To support us on this exciting next stage of transformational growth, we are searching for a Partnerships Manager who will play a leading role in managing and activating WSL Football's growing roster of commercial partners.

Key accountabilities
  • Overall responsibility for the management and delivery of a selection of WSL's Football commercial partners.
  • Liaising with internal (Performance Development, League Operations, Broadcast, Partnerships, Marcomms and Content) and external teams (Clubs and agencies) to ensure successful rights delivery, including troubleshooting any delivery issues.
  • Drive value through impactful activation programmes and ensure alignment with the strategic priorities of WSL Football.
  • Oversee liaison with BWSL and BWSL2 clubs on management and delivery of club-led commercial rights for WSL Football partners.
  • Oversee the creation of ground dressing assets each season and approvals for Club and WSL Football Partners.
  • Manage the insights and research support for allotted partners to demonstrate the ongoing success of the partnership.
  • Support the Head of Commercial Partnerships in delivering partnership renewals with key partners as relevant within each partnership term.
  • Manage and oversee the budget requirements across allotted partners, liaising with other divisions and teams as required.
  • Champion world‑class service delivery of league and club services; obtain customer feedback and make any improvements as necessary.
  • Execute additional tasks as required to meet changing priorities.
  • Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.
Essential skills
  • Excellent relationship and stakeholder management skills at all levels.
  • Ability to understand brand objectives to shape partnership strategies that deliver both Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Objectives (ROO).
  • Proven experience in leading and developing partner activation plans and campaigns.
  • Proven experience in sponsorship programme creation and sale/negotiation.
  • Experience working with cross-functional project teams.
  • Outside of the box thinking and an ability to challenge convention to drive projects end-to-end from concept to creation.
  • Digital native.
  • Proven experience in working with commercial contracts and legal teams.
  • Ability to blend creativity with commerciality and prioritise key revenue-driving or value-additive activity for WSL Football and our Partners.
  • Proven experience in managing and supporting direct reports and channelling their professional growth.
  • Skills and experience of working alongside Marketing, Content, Brand and Communications.
  • Strategic thinker able to consider wider and longer-term impacts.
  • A desire to learn and continuously improve, ensuring the Commercial Partnerships team is seen at the forefront of innovation.
  • Experience in sponsorship research and insight measurement.
  • Interest and knowledge of sport and sponsorship markets.
  • Interest and knowledge of women's football.
  • Understanding of the digital marketing landscape.
  • Experience of working with broadcasters and the media.
  • Strong presentation and reporting skills.
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. We have the courage to push boundaries, innovate boldly and continuously rewrite the playbook.
  • FIND A WAY TO WIN, TOGETHER – We move as one – lifting each other up and having each other's backs. Together, we unite players, clubs, fans, and communities to achieve greatness.
  • CHAMPION THE FEMALE ATHLETE, ON AND OFF THE PITCH – We celebrate and support female athletes, empowering them to shine in their football careers and beyond.
  • PUT FANS IN THE FRONT ROW – Fans are the VIPs at the heart of our game. We must thrill, inspire, and connect with them to build lifelong loyalty.

Please note that the Women's Super League Football office is based in Farringdon in Central London. Women's Super League Football welcomes applications from everyone. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application. As part of the Women's Super League Football's commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone in football, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

Partnerships Manager employer: Women's Super League Football

At WSL Football, we are not just transforming women's football; we are creating a vibrant community that prioritises player welfare and fan engagement. Located in the heart of Central London, our dynamic work culture fosters innovation and collaboration, offering employees exceptional growth opportunities within a passionate team dedicated to championing female athletes. Join us to be part of a movement that celebrates the love of the game and drives meaningful change in the world of sports.

Women's Super League Football

Contact Detail:

Women's Super League Football Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Partnerships Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the women's football scene. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

Tip Number 2

Show your passion for women's football! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm shine through. Share your ideas on how to elevate the game and engage fans – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its partners. Understand their goals and challenges, and think about how you can contribute. Tailor your answers to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their mission.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the WSL Football family. Let’s make this happen together!

We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Manager

Relationship Management
Stakeholder Management
Partnership Strategy Development
Return on Investment (ROI) Analysis
Sponsorship Programme Creation
Negotiation Skills
Cross-Functional Team Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Women's Football:When you're writing your application, let your love for women's football shine through! Share any experiences or insights you have about the game and how it inspires you. We want to see that you're as excited about this role as we are!

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the key accountabilities listed in the job description. We’re looking for someone who can drive value and create impactful activation programmes, so show us how you can do just that!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. We appreciate a well-organised application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm at a glance.

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 role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about WSL Football and what we stand for!

How to prepare for a job interview at Women's Super League Football

Know Your Partnerships

Before the interview, dive deep into WSL Football's current partnerships and understand their objectives. This will help you demonstrate how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can drive value through impactful activation programmes.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to liaise with internal teams and external partners, as this is crucial for the Partnerships Manager role.

Be Ready to Discuss ROI and ROO

Since the role focuses on delivering Return on Investment and Return on Objectives, come prepared with specific examples of how you've achieved these in past partnerships. This will show that you understand the commercial side of partnerships.

Emphasise Your Creativity

Think outside the box! Be ready to discuss innovative ideas you've implemented in previous roles. WSL Football values creativity, so showcasing your ability to challenge convention will set you apart from other candidates.