Purpose:

Working closely with (and reporting to) the Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager, the Partnership Marketing Manager will be responsible for managing a portfolio of CFG’s global & regional commercial partners, with a focus on Manchester City Women.

The portfolio will consist of 4-6 brands, pending size and scope. Responsibility and remit for these partnerships will be end to end, including all associated partnership planning and activation programmes. The Partnership Marketing Manager will be required to work closely and effectively with the Partnership Marketing and Operations teams, as well as other Club departments, to deliver outstanding quality of service. In addition, this role will assume responsibility for significant work-streams with other Global Partnerships and commercial projects within Manchester City Women. Other specialist projects may be introduced from time to time, depending on priorities and workloads. As a core member of the wider Partnerships team this role will be expected to contribute across all core pillars of the department (see below).

Please note: this role will require business travel (UK and overseas) will be required to attend key meetings, activations, and the establishment/maintenance of key relationships. Occasional matchday working will be required.

Role specific accountabilities:

Planning

• Takes responsibility for ‘living and breathing’ a consistent framework that enables Partners to develop compelling, competitive partnership strategies and activation plans


• Immerses in the world of the partner, building a rich appreciation of their environment and a detailed understanding of objectives, opportunities and challenges


• Drives the planning approach, assuming ownership of workshops and providing clear direction to marketing/leadership teams. Fuels this process with insight and expertise and involves other Club departments as appropriate


• Proactively contributes to the evolution of the planning framework, ensuring that the Club’s approach stands out from the competition and is truly fit-for-purpose in the region


• Adopts an ‘objectives and measurement-focused’ mind-set, enabling the department to build a full and true picture around the impact of the Partnerships

Club brand

• Engages and educates Partners on the Club’s brand vision and positioning, as well as the current marketing strategy and priorities


• Explores areas where the respective outlooks (Club and Partner) share commonality. Assesses opportunities to collaborate and maximise the return for both business’


• Enhances and protects the Club’s brand throughout the term of the partnership by playing an integral role in the planning process


• Proactively shares best practice and learning via preferred platforms. Maintains regular dialogue and support with stakeholders and peers in all regions


• Supports the Club’s regional objectives for the Women’s team working closely with other departments including marketing and FRM

Delivery

• Works in tandem with the Partnerships Operations team to ensure all Partnership rights are delivered with maximum effectiveness and efficiency


• Delivers high quality briefings to relevant members of the Operations team and keeps Partners well informed of status and progress


• Continually looks for opportunities to refine and maximise ways of working

Case Studies

• Engages Partners and works with them to co-create rich stories that demonstrate the power of association, with a clear thread throughout (linking objectives to tangible results)


• Delivers to a consistent standard and brings about a genuine step-change in how case studies are crafted and communicated on-going


• Takes the lead role in creating full end of season reports for Partners and explores innovative ways to present/tell the stories both internally and externally


• Takes advantage of all opportunities to feature Partner activity, working with the Operations Team and providing creative as required


• Explores opportunities for awards submissions and other recognition/accreditation

Business Development

• When workloads allow, the Partnership Marketing Manager will be expected to work collaboratively with Partnership Sales Managers and the Partnership


• Planning team to help shape compelling proposals


• Attends meetings and pitches as required, to offer insight and expertise in relevant fields such as Digital and Media


• Supports the Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager in developing renewal strategies each season, providing Partner and category insight wherever relevant


• Proactively develops ideas that bring about benefit to Partners and also drive organic revenue growth for the club.

Role specific knowledge, skills and experience:

Essential:

• Strong knowledge of the global and regional football landscape


• Demonstrable interest in the growth of women’s football


• Familiar with football sponsorship contracts and rights packages


• Skilled in partner/client service


• Skilled digital management/consultancy and digital literacy


• Strong team ethic and collaborative nature – confident managing multiple stakeholders


• Flexible working attitude and approach


• Solid commercial experience and acumen, with an inherent interest in this area


• Availability to travel for business needs


• Strong digital expertise and experience, preferably within sports media/advertising


• Experienced/capable across all aspects of marketing and sponsorship, including:


• Strategy & Planning


• Activation & Rights Delivery


• Integrated communication


• Results Analysis & recommendations


• Negotiations & renewals


• Undergraduate degree or equivalent