At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage global partnerships and ensure exceptional satisfaction for World Tennis partners.
- Company: Join World Tennis, the governing body of tennis, with a focus on growth and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a pension scheme, health cash plan, free lunches, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with top global brands and develop junior team members.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving commercial growth in the exciting world of tennis.
- Qualifications: Experience in partnership management, negotiation, and project management in sports or entertainment.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
REPORTING TO: Head, Partnership Delivery
LOCATION: Southwest London (some international travel may be required)
We currently work to a hybrid model requiring a mandatory minimum of 3 days per week working in the office based in Southwest, London and as part of this, Mondays and Tuesdays are ‘anchor days’ where all staff are obliged to work from the office.
World Tennis is the global governing body of tennis. Founded in 1913, its purpose is to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the sport, delivering tennis for future generations in association with its 214 national and regional member associations.
World Tennis oversees the rules and regulations that govern international and national competition. World Tennis is responsible for the worldwide development of tennis through its highly regarded Development Programme, its Science and Technical department which monitors equipment and technology, and its Officiating department which oversees the education and advancement of officials. World Tennis is the owner and co-owner of the two largest annual international team competitions in tennis, the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) by Gainbridge and manages the Olympic and Paralympic Tennis Events on behalf of the IOC and IPC. World Tennis organises over 3,500 men’s, women’s and junior tournaments on the World Tennis Tour, World Tennis Beach Tour, UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour and the World Tennis Masters Tour. World Tennis upholds the highest standards of integrity and is a partner in the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
Overview of the Department:
The Commercial department is responsible for driving the commercial growth of World Tennis through the development, management, and delivery of global partnerships. The team works with a unique portfolio of assets across major events, professional and junior player pathways, and digital products, creating opportunities for partners to engage with the global tennis community. Working across areas including broadcast, digital, hospitality, fan engagement and community programmes, the team develops and delivers bespoke partnership solutions that maximise impact and support the long-term success of the sport.
The Role:
The Senior Partnerships Manager will have responsibility for managing the delivery of the Partnerships Management function with a key focus on delivering exceptional satisfaction and retention rates for World Tennis partners. World Tennis boasts a high profile set of partners including VISA, Rolex, BNP Paribas, UNIQLO, and many more – giving exposure to major global blue-chip companies and some of the biggest brand investors in sport. Reporting into the Head of Partnership Delivery, and managing a team of direct reports, the Senior Partnerships Manager will establish best in class processes and outcomes with partners and with relevant departments to ensure the smooth planning, delivery, and measurement of rights in line with partner objectives.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the day-to-day management of strategic partners through the management of Partnership Management Team.
- Manage meeting and contact cadence (on a client-by-client basis) to ensure client satisfaction.
- Work with the World Tennis partner portfolio and partnership management team to (i) understand and (ii) deliver success.
- Align key success criteria with each partner.
- Develop the junior members of the team to create a high-performance environment, setting and reviewing objectives.
- Lead relationship and briefing process with Event Ops and Comms managers to ensure the smooth execution of rights across the company in line with partner success criteria.
- Create and deliver new and engaging ways to drive client satisfaction.
- Oversee the design & delivery of surveys and record and benchmark satisfaction levels.
- Internal: Keep key stakeholders updated on progress, successes, and challenges.
- External: updates on events, press releases and news etc.
Criteria:
- Strong partnerships rights delivery track record, working in sports and/or entertainment properties.
- Experience in negotiation and project management skills.
- Proven experience working with global brands, negotiating, and securing upsells and renewals through to contract.
- Success delivering high-quality partnerships in premium, multichannel (experiential, digital) environments with senior stakeholders.
- Commitment to structured, process driven and analytical rights’ delivery approach.
- “Brand marketing aware” with ability to develop integrated brand marketing strategies with partners.
- Dynamic and energetic approach to partner engagement, with strong communication
- and negotiating skills; able to combine trouble-shooting and creative problem solving.
- Proven experience of account managing successful sponsorship relationships, and activation programmes.
- Familiarity using research, data, insights and measurement frameworks to evaluate sponsorship effectiveness, and translate performance results into actionable recommendations for partners.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, with the ability to create high-quality presentations.
- Passion for and understanding of the commercial potential within sport.
- Strong people and time management skills with a high level of care and attention to detail.
- Experience using Adobe Photoshop or similar design tools to enhance client-facing materials.
- Ability to speak languages would be advantageous.
What We Offer...
- Group personal pension scheme, Life assurance and Annual wellbeing allowance.
- Health Cash Plan.
- Ride2Work Scheme.
- Free lunch when working in the office (up to £9 per day).
- Complimentary healthy snacks and fresh fruit when working in the office.
- Working hours: based on 35 hours per week. Normal office hours are 09.00 -17.00zMonday to Friday. Flexible working hours possible, with core hours of 10am-4pm.
Application Process
World Tennis processes your applicant data in accordance with our Privacy Notice – Recruitment, which can be found on our website. The successful candidate may be subject to an enhanced DBS or equivalent level Overseas Criminal Records Check.
Equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI) is a fundamental priority for World Tennis. Our philosophy focusses on embedding inclusive behaviours and processes across every element of our business practice.
Senior Partnerships Manager employer: World Tennis
World Tennis is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions the growth and development of tennis globally. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, benefits such as private healthcare, generous holiday allowances, and flexible working hours are complemented by opportunities for professional growth within a passionate team dedicated to fostering the sport's future. Located at the heart of the tennis community, employees can engage in meaningful work that directly impacts the next generation of players while enjoying a supportive and inclusive culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Partnerships Manager
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Partnerships Manager
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 World Tennis 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 World Tennis
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with World Tennis, 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.
