Partnership Director / Sponsorship Activation Lead (FTC 3 months)

Zilch; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A payment technology company is seeking a dynamic Partnership Director to lead an exciting sports sponsorship initiative. This role involves creative activation and building strategic relationships. Candidates should have extensive experience in sports partnerships and a flair for storytelling. The position offers a chance to drive meaningful engagement within the sports community, transforming sponsorships into memorable experiences.

Benefits

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance

£200 for WFH Setup

Professional Development Opportunities

Family Friendly Policies

Casual dress code

Workplace socials

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in partnerships or sponsorships in top-tier sports.
• Ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams.
• Proven track record of delivering successful campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead the partnership activation from concept to execution.
• Develop a full activation calendar across multiple touchpoints.
• Define KPIs and track success metrics to improve activations.

Skills

Relationship building

Storytelling

Analytical thinking

Creativity

Project management

Public speaking

Job description

Zilch is a payment tech company on a mission to create the most empowering way to pay for anything, anywhere. Combining the best of debit, credit and savings, we give our customers the option to earn instant cashback or spread the cost of pricier purchases, completely interest free and with no late fees. Pretty great, right?

We started in 2018 with a small team and a big dream - to make credit accessible to all. Since then, we've achieved double unicorn status and taken on more than 5 million customers. There are some exciting projects coming up and we’ve got big growth plans.

Want to join us?

The role.

We’ve teamed up with a leading global sports brand in a multi-year partnership that’s set to redefine the fans experience through creativity. This is more than a sponsorship, it’s a chance to connect Zilch with the heart and soul of our partner. We’re looking for an experienced, creative, and fearless Partnership Director / Sponsorship Activation Lead to make that happen (This is initially a 3 months fixed term contract). This isn’t your average partnerships job. You’ll be the engine behind everything Zilch x our partner, from headline activations at major venues to digital supporter moments that spark online. You’ll be the connector between our world-class brand and one of the most iconic names in sport, turning sponsorship rights into experiences people feel. If you live and breathe big ideas, love the buzz of live events, and know how to turn a brand partnership into a cultural moment, keep reading.

This isn’t about sticking a logo on a shirt, it’s about making noise, creating moments, and changing the game. You’ll be the heartbeat of one of sports most talked-about partnerships, with the freedom to dream big, move fast, and make an impact that supporters feel. We’re not following the playbook — we’re rewriting it.

Day to day responsibilities

• Bring the Zilch x sports partnership to life, from the first idea scribbled on a napkin to the excitement of thousands experiencing it in action.
• Lead the charge as the key link between Zilch and our partners the senior partnerships team, building strong, collaborative relationships at every level.
• Translate rights into magic: build a full activation calendar that hits every touchpoint, in-venue, online, retail, and beyond.
• Think like a supporter: Deliver activations that feel authentic, exciting, and timed to the moments that matter
• Own the activation budget: making every pound count and every activation deliver clear ROI.
• Measure what matters: define KPIs, track success, and constantly look for ways to go bigger, better, bolder.
• Collaborate across Zilch’s marketing, creative, and data teams to ensure every campaign connects, converts, and creates conversation.
• You’ve run major sponsorships before ideally in top-tier sport.
• You’re a storyteller, not just a strategist you know how to turn data and rights into unforgettable moments.
• You’re a natural relationship builder, equally comfortable pitching to execs as you are brainstorming with creatives.
• You thrive in a fast-moving, high-energy environment where no two days look the same.
• You’re both analytical and creative you get the numbers, but you also get the magic.
• Most importantly you’re proactive, passionate, and maybe just a little bit obsessed with sport (we like that).

Benefits.
Compensation & Savings:

• Income Protection.
• Permanent employees enjoy access to our Share Options Scheme.
• 5% back on in-app purchases.
• £200 for WFH Setup.
• Private Medical Insurance including;
• GP consultations (video, telephone or face-to-face).
• Prescribed medication.
• In-patient, day-patient and out-patient care.
• Mental health support.
• Physiotherapy.
• Advanced cancer cover.
• Employee Assistance Programme including:
  • Unlimited mental health sessions.
  • 24/7 remote GP & physiotherapy.
  • 24/7 helpline for emotional & practical support.
• Savings & discounts on everyday shopping.
• 1:1 personalised well-being consultations.

Family Friendly Policies:

• Enhanced maternity pay.
• Enhanced paternity pay.
• Enhanced adoption pay.
• Enhanced shared parental leave.

Learning & Development:

• Professional Qualifications.
• Professional Memberships.
• Learning Suite for e-courses.
• Internal Training Programmes.
• FCA & Regulatory training.
• Hybrid Working.
• Casual dress code.
• Workplace socials.

To apply for this role, please submit your CV along with a cover letter.

We acknowledge receipt of your resume for a position at Zilch and we appreciate your interest in joining our business.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose qualifications meet our requirements. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you if you are selected to continue to the next stage of the recruitment process. We wish you every success.

Zilch Technology is an equal opportunities employer and we encourage all applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

Apply for this Job

Do you require a Visa Sponsorship? Do you live within commutable distance from our London Victoria office? Are you able to come to the office 3 days a week? (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday subject to change) Can you briefly share how your skills and experience align with the job requirements

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