Job Title: Partnerships Lead
Department: Commercial Partnerships
Job Function: World class & strategic partner management with a view to delivering industry-leading servicing and maximising potential for investment into Chelsea Football Club
Main Responsibilities:
• Senior management role within the Commercial Partnerships Department, supporting the Head of Global Partnerships in leading a world class servicing team and ensuring club values are endorsed and advocated by all team members
• Provide full range of senior sponsorship expertise to selected club partners and agencies involved in sponsorship or partnership marketing – covering strategy, activation, measurement and evaluation
• Support on partnership renewal strategies, for relevant partners, from the commencement of contracts and throughout terms, ensuring where possible partnerships are extended ahead of contractual completion dates
• Commitment to retaining partners through developing strong relationships at all levels with all client contacts, proactively developing the relationship and being a trusted business partner and respected advisor
• Work cross-function with commercial and marketing colleagues to develop a long term strategy for commercialising new and existing assets and initiatives for sustainable growth. Support club’s partnership sales function, including strategic advice, creation of world class case studies, involvement in pitches and new business activities
• Responsible for internal stakeholder management and creating marketable stories as part of the Clubs ongoing commercial programme
• Lead on selected special projects and events as and when they arise or on an annual basis, ensuring all club partners are fully integrated and engaged
• Creation of a culture that ensures club partners are able to network amongst themselves and work effectively with other members of the partnership team, when opportunities arise for collaboration between club partners
• Senior management of selected partnerships, with support from Senior Partnership Managers, focused on advising, trouble-shooting and escalating situations to Head of Global Partnerships when necessary
• Line management of Senior Partnership Managers, Partnership Managers and Operational Executives, focused on developing an entrepreneurial approach when constructing creative global activation plans to meet strategic goals
• Supporting Head of Global Partnerships in development of future team strategic planning & growth
• Work alongside Head of Global Partnerships to create a positive team environment, in which proactivity and professionalism are encouraged, enabling the club to deliver world class partner servicing
• Work closely with all other departments within the club, with a specific focus on marketing and communications, to instil a partnership mentality. This will ensure partners are well represented in all club comms
• Remain abreast of market trends and provide feedback and suggestions as to how the Club can use these to its competitive advantage
• Continue to cultivate and maintain solid relationships with a variety of brands, rights holders and industry figureheads, leveraging these relationships to support partners and gain insights for club activations
Measures of Performance:
• Delivers against business objectives and KPIs
• Effectively manages Senior Partnership Managers and Partnership Managers and ensures development within their roles
• Drives organic growth from existing partners
• Develops and maintains a healthy and proactive relationship with all partners
• Develops and maintains first class relationships with internal stakeholders
Person Specification:
• Minimum 8-10 years’ experience within the sports/entertainment sponsorship and marketing industry
• Experience of account managing brands on a global scale
• Experience of activating integrated brand campaigns across digital media
• Strategic & analytical capability and mindset
• A commercial, results driven individual with entrepreneurial capabilities
• Excellent communication and influencing capability
• An experienced team leader, capable of working with less senior team members to manage workflow and ensure team resources are utilised efficiently
• A proven team player who is calm, professional, works well under pressure and is diligent and detail orientated
• Willing to work between locations and to be flexible with working hours (including working weekends and international travel)
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
At Chelsea we recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths and we are taking positive action to ensure our existing colleagues and job applicants can fully be themselves and bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to Chelsea FC. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.
If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter, who will be able to advise and support you.
Chelsea FC and the Foundation is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate.
This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.
