Partnerships Manager - Operations Specialism

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Partnerships Manager - Operations Specialism

🔹 Company: Two Circles

🔹 Location: London, England, United Kingdom (Remote)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

🔹 Category: Sports & Entertainment Marketing

🔹 Date Posted: April 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (occasional European travel)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Managing key sponsors within a portfolio, initially for UEFA Women’s Football
• Building and managing day-to-day relationships with partners
• Fulfilling rights packages, including strategy, activation, analysis, and evaluation
• Leading on the relationship with the rightsholder’s Commercial Operations team
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including agencies, social, digital, CRM, legal, and more

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the sports sponsorship industry and proven experience in managing and activating partnerships for major brands within sports or entertainment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Account manage key sponsors within a portfolio, initially on behalf of UEFA Women’s Football

✅ Build and manage day-to-day relationships with partners

✅ Fulfil rights packages, including strategy, activation, analysis, and evaluation

✅ Lead on the relationship with the rightsholder’s Commercial Operations team, focusing on onsite delivery for partners, as well as projects such as accreditation, ticketing, and commercial events

✅ Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: This role involves occasional European travel and requires a proactive, can-do approach to account management, constantly interrogating our work and suggesting new solutions/opportunities.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Business, or a related discipline)

Experience: Proven experience managing and activating partnerships for major brands within sports or entertainment

Required Skills:

• Expertise in commercial operations – both on and off site
• New ideas and an entrepreneurial approach to delivering value for sponsors
• A proactive, can-do approach to account management
• An interest in building lasting relationships with clients, sponsors, and stakeholders
• Experience in delivering commercial or corporate events
• A thorough understanding of the sports sponsorship industry
• Excellent time management, organisational skills, and attention to detail
• Fluent written and spoken English

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with UEFA or other major sports organizations
• Fluency in additional languages

ASSUMPTION: Strong communication, interpersonal, and project management skills are essential for success in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on experience and industry standards for a mid-level marketing role in London)

Benefits:

• Private healthcare (Vitality) and/or Health Care Plan (Medicash)
• Mobile phone contribution
• Gym membership contribution
• Sport Challenge contribution
• 2x annual kit drops
• 23 standard days of holiday (+ 1 Birthday, +2 for a ‘Big Life Event’ and +1 Admin Day), closure of office over Christmas (plus Bank Holidays)
• Discretionary Bonus based on company performance
• Performance Reviews every 6 months with discretionary salary increases

Working Hours: Full-time, with occasional European travel required

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a mid-level marketing role in London. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Sports & Entertainment Marketing

Company Size: Medium (501-1,000 employees)

Founded: 2005 (as a privately held company)

Company Description:

• Two Circles grows audiences and revenues for the world’s leading sports and entertainment organizations by knowing fans best
• Manages billions of fan data interactions on behalf of over 950 clients around the globe
• Works with organizations across the world of sport and entertainment, including the NFL, Premier League, Wimbledon, World Rugby, EA SPORTS, and UEFA

Company Specialties:

• Sports CRM
• Sports Marketing
• Commercial Strategy
• Digital Marketing
• Management Consultancy
• Customer Relationship Management
• Sports Data Management
• Data driven
• Insight
• Consumer Research
• Content
• Social Media
• Production
• Creative
• And Technology

Company Website: http://www.twocircles.com

ASSUMPTION: Two Circles is a well-established company in the sports and entertainment marketing industry, with a strong focus on data-driven insights and a global client base.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level marketing role with opportunities for growth and progression within the organization

Reporting Structure: The Partner Manager will report directly to the Head of Partnerships within the Sponsorship team

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (occasional European travel required)

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression within the Partnership Management function
• Expansion into other areas of the business, such as digital, social, or CRM
• International opportunities, as the company continues to grow its global presence

ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong potential for career growth and development within the organization, as well as the opportunity to work with high-profile clients in the sports and entertainment industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (occasional European travel required)

Office Location(s): London, England, United Kingdom

Geographic Context:

• London is a major global city with a vibrant sports and entertainment industry
• The city is home to numerous sports teams, events, and organizations
• Two Circles' London office is located in the heart of the city, providing easy access to public transportation and amenities

Work Schedule: Full-time, with occasional European travel required

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility and a good work-life balance, while occasional European travel provides opportunities to work with clients and stakeholders in person.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR team
• First-round interview with the hiring manager
• Second-round interview with the team or additional stakeholders
• Final interview with the Head of Partnerships or another senior leader
• Offer and onboarding

Key Assessment Areas:

• Understanding of the sports sponsorship industry and relevant experience
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Proactive approach to account management and problem-solving
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Project management and organizational skills

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Demonstrate your understanding of the sports sponsorship industry and Two Circles' business
• Prepare examples of your past work that showcase your ability to manage partnerships and deliver value for sponsors
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team after your interview to express your interest in the role

ATS Keywords: Partnership Management, Commercial Operations, Account Management, Relationship Building, Event Delivery, Time Management, Organizational Skills, Attention to Detail, Proactive Approach, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Stakeholder Collaboration, Fluent English

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is thorough and designed to assess the candidate's fit for the specific requirements of the position, as well as their cultural fit with the company.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the client and project requirements.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Fan-centric
• Data-driven
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Ambitious

Work Style:

• Proactive and entrepreneurial
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Adaptable and flexible

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach building lasting relationships with clients and stakeholders?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you delivered value for a sponsor through a proactive and entrepreneurial approach?
• How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively when working on multiple projects simultaneously?

ASSUMPTION: Two Circles values candidates who are passionate about sports and entertainment, data-driven, collaborative, and ambitious, with a strong work ethic and a commitment to delivering excellence.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple partners and projects simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
• Occasional European travel, which may disrupt personal schedules and routines
• Working with high-profile clients and stakeholders, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Keeping up-to-date with industry trends and best practices, as the sports sponsorship landscape continues to evolve

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong project management skills, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and development.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other partnership management positions within the sports and entertainment industry, but with a specific focus on commercial operations and onsite delivery
• Unlike some other roles, this position requires a thorough understanding of the sports sponsorship industry and relevant experience managing partnerships for major brands
• Career progression in this role may lead to opportunities in other areas of the business, such as digital, social, or CRM

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of partnership management, commercial operations, and onsite delivery, making it an attractive opportunity for candidates with relevant experience and a strong interest in the sports sponsorship industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Managing the onsite delivery for a major sponsor at a high-profile sporting event
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan to activate a sponsor's rights package, driving fan engagement and revenue growth
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to deliver a commercial event, from planning and logistics to onsite execution

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of responsibilities and challenges that the Partner Manager may face in this role, requiring strong project management, communication, and interpersonal skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the Partnership Management function?
• How does Two Circles support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Two Circles approach collaboration and knowledge-sharing across different teams and functions?
• What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of working in partnership management at Two Circles?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the company culture, team dynamics, and expectations for success in this role.

📌 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, demonstrating your understanding of the sports sponsorship industry and Two Circles' business
• Prepare examples of your past work that showcase your ability to manage partnerships and deliver value for sponsors
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions
• If you are offered the position, consider the following timeline for onboarding and training: within 2-4 weeks of starting, you will receive a comprehensive induction to the company, your team, and your role. Within 3-6 months, you will have a clear understanding of your priorities and how to deliver them effectively.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.