Partnerships Directors

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Job Description

Fanatics are looking for 3 Partnerships Directors to join the business (see listed below).

The Director, Partnerships (x2 roles - Football) will be responsible for managing and developing strategic partnerships with key partners including but not limited to; National Federations, League Clubs across the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Championship plus global governing bodies and associations in Football. You will be the key point of contact for our partners at a strategic level, ensuring that relationships are nurtured, and commercial opportunities are maximized. You will work closely with internal teams to drive revenue growth, enhance brand presence, and deliver exceptional value to our partners.

The Director, Partnerships (x1 role - International Sports) will be responsible for managing and developing strategic partnerships with key partners including but not limited to; Formula One, Olympics, Rugby, and UFC. You will be the key point of contact for our partners at a strategic level, ensuring that relationships are nurtured, and commercial opportunities are maximised. You will work closely with internal teams to drive revenue growth, enhance brand presence, and deliver exceptional value to our partners.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Partnership Management: Lead and manage relationships with associations, leagues and clubs at a Senior level, ensuring the delivery of mutually beneficial outcomes. Develop and implement strategies to enhance and grow these partnerships.

Account Leadership & Management: Oversee all aspects of the account lifecycle including onboarding, regular reviews, escalations and nurturing. Oversees wider internal teams and their day-to-day management of key partners, ensuring seamless communication, and delivery of all partnership commitments.

Account Performance: Lead the full spectrum of performance management, from revenue to profitability to satisfaction. Guide ecommerce teams to drive revenue through partner activations, and collaborative marketing initiatives. Proactively identify opportunities to renew and better commercialise current partnerships. Support in the monitoring and analysing performance metrics to maximize financial returns for both Fanatics and our partners.

Programme Management: Work with internal stakeholders to translate partner requirements into delivery plans; hold teams accountable to deliver to time and on plan.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with senior executives colleagues and internal teams, including ecommerce trading teams, licencing, new business, buying, marketing, and operations, to ensure alignment and delivery of partnership goals.

Innovation & Best Practices: Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor activities, and market developments in the relevant sports. Lead the introduction of innovative ideas and best practices to enhance partnership value and fan engagement.

Client Relationship Building: Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders at partner organizations, acting as a Trusted Advisor to the Partner, as well as the face of Fanatics within the relevant sports community.

Strategic Business Reviews: Lead the process for reviewing performance against contract and business plans with partners, involving internal teams to provide and present appropriate data sets.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience: 8+ years of experience in partnerships, account management, or business development, with a strong focus on the relevant sports industry.
• Leadership: Proven experience in managing senior-level client relationships. Strong leadership, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills.
• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the relevant sports landscape, including club operations, league structures, and fan engagement strategies.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial mindset with a track record of driving revenue growth through strategic partnerships.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and persuade at all levels.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse complex data sets and market trends to inform decision-making and strategy development.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly Desirable: a background and understanding of working within an e-commerce environment and specifically retail.
• Travel: There will be travel internationally required of the role at times
• Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• Strong Work Ethic: Determination to set and meet goals, delivering against high standards and expectations of our Partners
• Highly Personable: A team orientated individual with the ability to build relationships at every level

We are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate diversity and inclusivity at Fanatics. Our commitment to inclusion drives us forward every day; across all races, gender, gender identities, age, sexual orientation, religion & spiritual beliefs, neurodiversity, disability and all identities of our people both current and future. If you have any requirement(s) for reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, and/or to perform essential job functions, please contact us.

About Us

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform. We ignite the passions of global sports fans and maximize the presence and reach for our hundreds of sports partners globally by offering products and services across Fanatics Commerce, Fanatics Collectibles, and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, allowing sports fans to Buy, Collect, and Bet. Through the Fanatics platform, sports fans can buy licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods; collect physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets; and bet as the company builds its Sportsbook and iGaming platform. Fanatics has an established database of over 100 million global sports fans; a global partner network with approximately 900 sports properties, including major national and international professional sports leagues, players associations, teams, colleges, college conferences and retail partners, 2,500 athletes and celebrities, and 200 exclusive athletes; and over 2,000 retail locations, including its Lids retail stores. Our more than 22,000 employees are committed to relentlessly enhancing the fan experience and delighting sports fans globally.

About the Team

Fanatics Commerce is a leading designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and hardgoods. It operates a vertically-integrated platform of digital and physical capabilities for leading sports leagues, teams, colleges, and associations globally - as well as its flagship site, www.fanatics.com.

Fanatics Commerce has a broad range of online, sports venue, and vertical apparel partnerships worldwide, including comprehensive partnerships with leading leagues, teams, colleges, and sports organizations across the world-including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, Formula 1, and Australian Football League (AFL); the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, and Tokyo Giants; the University of Notre Dame, University of Alabama, and University of Texas; the International Olympic Committee (IOC), England Rugby, and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).