📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: New Partnerships Lead
🔹 Company: Tennis Australia
🔹 Location: Melbourne VIC, Australia
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Sports
🔹 Date Posted: May 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Securing new commercial partnerships across Tennis Australia’s events and participation products
- Managing end-to-end sales processes and leading strategic brand conversations
- Driving revenue and contributing to strategic go-to-market plans
- Collaborating with a high-performing global partnerships team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong sales background and a deep understanding of global sports and entertainment. Successful candidates will be strategic thinkers with excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Drive revenue by securing new commercial partnerships across the TA ecosystem
✅ Manage a strong sales pipeline and lead complex, multi-faceted commercial deals
✅ Identify new category opportunities and contribute to strategic go-to-market plans
✅ Use insights and trends to shape compelling, brand-led partnership proposals
✅ Lead strategic brand conversations across digital, media, and community channels
✅ Report on sales activity and collaborate across teams to deliver commercial goals
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong self-motivation and time management skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field
Experience: 2-5 years of experience in new business development or a similar role within the sports and entertainment industry
Required Skills:
- Proven experience and success within a new business development position
- Deep understanding of global sports and entertainment
- Strategic thinking and strong analytical skills
- Excellent research and communication abilities
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially PowerPoint and Excel
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Ability to be flexible regarding working hours and arrangements
ASSUMPTION: While a degree is preferred, relevant experience and a strong portfolio may be considered in lieu of formal education.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: AU$80,000 - AU$120,000 per annum, based on experience and industry standards for similar roles in Melbourne
Benefits:
- Career development opportunities
- Tickets to the Australian Open
- Superbox tickets to concerts and events at Rod Laver & Melbourne Arenas year-round
- Monthly health & wellbeing activities through the Thrive program
- Onsite gym & tennis facilities
- Flexible working practices
- Free car parking
- Salary packaging
- A range of discounts from sponsorship partners
Working Hours: Full-time position with flexible hours based on event schedules and deadlines
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in Melbourne. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Tennis Australia operates within the spectator sports industry, contributing to Australia's sporting and cultural heritage. The organization is responsible for marketing tennis as a sport and brand, staging international events, and growing the tennis community.
Company Size: Tennis Australia has 201-500 employees, providing a mid-sized organization structure with opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: 1904, with a rich history and strong reputation in the Australian sports landscape.
Company Description:
- Tennis Australia is the governing body for tennis in Australia and the organizer of the iconic Australian Open (AO).
- The organization delivers world-class sports and entertainment experiences to local and global audiences.
- Tennis Australia fosters a workplace that is diverse and equitable, encouraging applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with a disability, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Company Specialties:
- Events (Australian Open, United Cup, Brisbane International, Adelaide International, Hobart International, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Australian Pro Tour)
- Tennis programs and coaching
- Broadcast and sports marketing
Company Website: www.tennis.com.au
ASSUMPTION: Tennis Australia's mission is to create a playful world through tennis for everyone, emphasizing the importance of a positive and engaging work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for an experienced professional looking to advance their career in business development within the sports and entertainment industry.
Reporting Structure: The New Partnerships Lead will report directly to the Head of Partnerships and work closely with the global partnerships team.
Work Arrangement: This is an on-site, full-time position with flexible hours based on event schedules and deadlines. The role may require working evenings and weekends during major events.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to senior roles within the partnerships team or other departments within Tennis Australia
- Expanding industry networks and gaining experience in global sports and entertainment
- Developing skills in strategic planning, sales, and account management
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on high-profile events and collaborate with international brands, providing valuable experience and exposure.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Tennis Australia's headquarters is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with additional offices in Brisbane, Queensland; Sydney, New South Wales; Perth, Western Australia; and Hobart, Tasmania.
Office Location(s): Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, AU
Geographic Context:
- Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia
- The city is known for its vibrant arts scene, sports culture, and diverse food and wine offerings
- Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate, with warm summers and mild winters
Work Schedule: Full-time position with flexible hours based on event schedules and deadlines. The role may require working evenings and weekends during major events.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a strong focus on collaboration and teamwork.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- In-person or video interview with the hiring manager and relevant team members
- Final interview with the Head of Partnerships
- Reference checks and background screening
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales and business development skills
- Understanding of global sports and entertainment
- Strategic thinking and analytical skills
- Communication and presentation abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Tennis Australia's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Tennis Australia's mission and values in your application materials
- Prepare examples of successful sales pitches or partnership proposals to discuss during the interview
- Research recent Tennis Australia events and partnerships to show your enthusiasm and knowledge of the organization
ATS Keywords: New business development, sales strategy, revenue generation, global sports, strategic thinking, analytical skills, communication skills, project management, team collaboration, Microsoft Office, flexibility
ASSUMPTION: Tennis Australia uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume and cover letter can help your application stand out.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable using a range of tools and technologies to support their work in business development and sales.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for tennis and creating memorable experiences
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Integrity and accountability
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Strong focus on collaboration and teamwork
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines
- Results-driven and goal-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Tennis Australia's mission to create a playful world through tennis for everyone?
- How comfortable are you working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities?
- How do you approach collaboration and teamwork in a sales role?
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong cultural fit with Tennis Australia's values and work style, as well as a passion for tennis and creating memorable experiences.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of sales leads and maintaining a strong pipeline
- Working evenings and weekends during major events
- Adapting to changing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Competing with other organizations for high-profile partnerships
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and maintain a strong work-life balance in a fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Business Development Manager or New Business Development Executive within the sports and entertainment industry
- Unlike other roles, this position focuses specifically on securing new partnerships for Tennis Australia's events and participation products
- Career progression may include senior roles within the partnerships team or other departments within Tennis Australia
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities to work on high-profile events and collaborate with international brands, providing valuable experience and exposure.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic go-to-market plan for a new event or product launch
- Conducting market research to identify new partnership opportunities
- Creating and presenting a compelling partnership proposal to a potential client
- Managing the end-to-end sales process for a complex, multi-faceted commercial deal
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have experience working on similar projects and be able to provide examples of their achievements during the interview process.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does this role contribute to Tennis Australia's overall business strategy?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within the partnerships team?
- How does Tennis Australia support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare for them?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of successful sales pitches or partnership proposals to discuss during the interview
- Research recent Tennis Australia events and partnerships to show your enthusiasm and knowledge of the organization
- Follow up with Tennis Australia within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
