Partnerships Manager

Rugby World Cup; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work plan

Competitive salary

Hyde Park location

Wellbeing programs

Team social events

Job summary

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking an experienced Partnerships Manager to join our Sydney CBD team. You will manage a portfolio of Official Partners and Suppliers, coordinating sponsorship rights, activations and reporting to ensure peak value and a seamless partner experience.

Reporting to the Head of Partner Engagement, you will lead day-to-day partner engagement, work with cross-functional teams, and travel as needed to deliver complex commercial initiatives for the Men’s Rugby World Cup

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in partnership management, account management, sponsorship, client services or a related commercial role.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of Official Partners and Suppliers, acting as primary point of contact and leading day-to-day partnership activity, communications, reporting and project management.
• Coordinate and optimise delivery of sponsorship rights, contractual obligations and partner benefits for maximum value.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, agencies and internal stakeholders across geographies and time zones.
• Lead planning and execution of partner marketing and activation across marketing, communications, digital, ticketing, hospitality, finance and operations teams.
• Monitor partnership performance through meetings and reviews, providing ROI insights aligned to objectives.
• Support strategic partnership planning, onboarding and team leadership initiatives, including managing a Partnership Specialist and updating the Head of Partner Engagement.

Skills

Partnership management

Account management

Sponsorship

Client services

Relationship management

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Closing date for applications is 27th September 2026

Full-time Fixed Term Contract starting October 2026 until November 2027

Location: Sydney (Gadigal), Australia

Rugby World Cup Australia is proud to deliver one of the world’s most iconic sporting events — Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. More than a tournament, it’s a celebration of Rugby’s spirit, Australia’s culture, and the power of sport to unite and inspire communities around the world.

Rugby World Cup Australia is hiring an experienced Partnerships Manager to join our team based in our Sydney CBD office. Reporting to the Head of Partner Engagement, you will manage a portfolio of Official Partners and Suppliers, acting as the central point of contact for globally recognised brands and ensuring every sponsorship benefit is delivered to the highest standard. This is an opportunity to work at the heart of the tournament, building strong partner relationships and creating unforgettable experiences for partners, fans, participants and stakeholders alike.

Working within a fast-paced and collaborative environment, you will lead day-to-day partner engagement, coordinate cross-functional teams and drive the successful execution of complex commercial initiatives. We are looking for a confident relationship driven individual who thrives on ownership, enjoys solving problems and can bring people together to achieve exceptional outcomes for all parties involved.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage a portfolio of Rugby World Cup 2027 Official Partners and Suppliers, acting as the primary point of contact and leading all day-to-day partnership activity, communications, reporting and project management.
• Coordinate and optimise the delivery of sponsorship rights, contractual obligations and partner benefits, ensuring maximum value is achieved for both partners and Rugby World Cup Australia.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, agencies and internal stakeholders, fostering collaboration and ensuring a seamless partnership experience.
• Lead the planning and execution of partner marketing and activation programs, working across marketing, communications, digital, ticketing, hospitality, finance and operations teams to deliver agreed outcomes.
• Monitor partnership performance through regular meetings, reporting and reviews, providing insights and demonstrating return on investment against partner objectives.
• Support strategic partnership planning, partner onboarding and team leadership initiatives, including managing a Partnership Specialist and keeping the Head of Partner Engagement informed of key developments and opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5 years' experience in partnership management, account management, sponsorship, client services or a related commercial role
• Experience in major events, sport or sponsorship environments highly regarded.
• Proven experience delivering integrated marketing, sponsorship, PR, digital and/or event activation programs, with a strong understanding of sports marketing.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships across multiple stakeholders, including partners, agencies and internal teams, often across different geographies, cultures and time zones.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, with the confidence to influence stakeholders and represent the organisation professionally.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, drive outcomes and maintain high standards of delivery.
• A proactive, solutions-focused and self-motivated approach, with strong ownership, accountability and the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
• Positive, resilient and adaptable nature, with strong commercial acumen, a team-first mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Teams)
• Flexible and adaptable, with the willingness to travel and work irregular hours including evenings, weekends, and event periods to meet operational needs.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Competitive salary: We know world-class talent deserves to be rewarded.
• Hybrid game plan: Work from home on Mondays and Fridays, with a 3-day in-office schedule (Tues–Thu), moving to full-time in-office in 2027 as the tournament approaches.
• Unbeatable location: A modern space across from Sydney’s Hyde Park, just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall, surrounded by public transport, great cafes, restaurants, and shops.
• Wellbeing first: Weekly fresh fruit, Lunch & Learns and a focus on keeping our team feeling their best on and off the field.
• Locker-room ready: Showers, fresh towels, and Dyson hair tools so you can reset and refresh any time.
• Team spirit: Weekly drinks and social catchups that celebrate wins big and small.
• Make your mark: Play a key role in bringing the third largest sporting event in the world to life right here in Australia!

Australia’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game, celebrate our people and culture, and deliver lasting social and economic impact. At the heart of our mission is diversity, inclusion, and legacy ensuring Rugby’s growth benefits all and inspires a new generation of players, fans, and communities. Join us in shaping an unforgettable celebration of Rugby, culture, and community.

In setting expectations, there will be a two-stage interview process in the Sydney CBD office and an assessment of skill.

All applicants need to be able to obtain their own unlimited working rights in Australia.

We do not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies and no fees will be payable.

Rugby World Cup Australia is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.