About
The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds in excess of 100km/h (60mph). Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its sixth season.
Summary
SailGP is seeking a full-time Senior Partnerships Manager to join its team centrally in London. This role serves as the strategic lead for all technology partnership management across the league, overseeing a portfolio of partnerships within the technology space.
This role focuses on the strategic planning and implementation of technology partnerships, reporting in to the Head of Partnerships and working closely with the SailGP Technology department to deeply integrate partnerships into SailGP’s infrastructure and narratives, providing best-in-class fulfilment of partnership rights, creative partnership activation and relationship management of all technology partners.
This role will manage a Partnerships Manager, who works across a variety of SailGP partnership delivery, and will guide and support partnerships team-mates working with technology partners and projects.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone that is looking to grow their career in an exciting international organization, working in a fast-paced, demanding, and dynamic environment where they will work with industry-leading brands and drive forward an area of the business with exciting growth-potential.
Key Responsibilities
- Report to SailGP Head of Partnerships, working collaboratively with other partnership managers.
- Act as the strategic lead for the technology partnership portfolio, defining and executing the strategy for all technology partners.
- Manage the operational execution and day-to-day delivery of partnership rights, ensuring high-quality activation and consistent service standards.
- Collaborate closely with the SailGP Technology Department to ensure seamless technical integration of partnerships into the league’s infrastructure, narratives, and digital ecosystems.
- Design and drive strategic, creative campaigns that align with partner objectives, deliver measurable ROI, and elevate the SailGP brand and the partnership.
- Serve as the primary partnerships contact for key technology partners, fostering long-term relationships and proactively identifying opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Influence internal stakeholders across the organization to champion the technology partnership agenda and ensure cross-functional alignment.
- Deliver the end-to-end partnership lifecycle, including onboarding, strategic planning, campaign performance tracking, rights delivery (ensuring all contractual rights are maximized and delivered) and reporting (ongoing value reporting, mid season and end of season).
- Identify and develop new value-add opportunities for technology partners, ensuring SailGP remains at the cutting edge of sports technology innovation.
- Deliver all on-event partnership activation including branding, partner guest programs and experiences, and VVIP attendance experiences.
- Host SailGP partners during and outside of event periods.
- Drive forward renewals and uplift opportunities alongside the commercial sales team and head of partnerships.
- Create ongoing case studies of partnership delivery.
- Other duties as reasonably required by SailGP to ensure the success and expansion of the technology partnership portfolio and in support of the wider partnerships function.
Background Qualifications
- Minimum of 7 years relevant commercial and rights holder experience, with a proven track record specifically in technology partnerships and brand collaborations.
- Deep understanding of the technology landscape, with experience managing complex, technical integrations within a sporting or entertainment environment.
- Strong strategic marketing and partnerships mindset, with proven experience in planning and executing integrated campaigns that drive engagement and ROI.
- Proven management experience, with the ability to manage and mentor direct reports on day-to-day execution and project delivery.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical teams and maintain senior-level partner relationships.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling partnership narratives and creative activation ideas.
- Strong project management skills, capable of managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, Slides and Drive.
- Fluent written and spoken English.
Attributes
- Strategic thinker who is also capable of driving operational excellence through a direct report.
- Highly collaborative, with the ability to work effectively across departments, particularly with technical and commercial teams.
- Energetic, innovative, and driven, with a passion for driving the future of sports technology.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and influence at all levels.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
- A deep commitment to the SailGP mission and a readiness to travel globally to support on-event activations.
Location
Based in the UK with a requirement of at least 3 days per week in the London office.
Travel to SailGP events expected - approximately 70% of events.
SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion.
