Partnerships Director (Account Director)

We Are 54; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports marketing agency in London is seeking a Partnership Director to manage key relationships and drive revenue growth. This role requires over 8 years of experience in sports partnerships, exceptional leadership abilities, and strong strategic thinking. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing partnership strategies and managing high-profile accounts in a dynamic environment. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary bonus up to 8%

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Private healthcare

25 days annual leave

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant work experience in sports partnerships or business development.
• Proven track record in developing and managing successful partnerships.
• Ability to inspire and motivate a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive account strategy for partners.
• Manage relationships with key partners to align objectives.
• Collaborate with teams to execute partnership activation plans.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Analytical mindset

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field

Job description

Application Deadline: 23 October 2025

Department: Partnerships

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Adam Crane

Description

ABOUT 54GROUP:

54 is a sports and entertainment agency operating across five regions and eight offices: United Kingdom (London), Europe (Sotogrande, Spain), MENA (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia & Dubai, United Arab Emirates), APAC (Singapore & Adelaide, Australia) and USA (West Palm Beach, Florida & New York). It works with rights holders, governing bodies, household brands and major investors who share its belief in the power of sport. 54 comprises three service areas each consisting of two divisions: 1. Strategic Advisory (Consultancy and Data & Insights), 2. Asset Optimisation (Operations and Commercial), 3. Activation & Engagement (Events and Marketing). At its core, the company has an unwavering belief in embracing the opportunities offered by pushing at the edges of conventional wisdom to turn the improbable into the unignorable.

ROLE OVERVIEW: 54 is seeking a Partnership Director to lead the account strategy and delivery of several key relationships. As the Partnership Director, you will be responsible for developing and executing partnership strategies, managing key partner relationships, and driving revenue growth. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of sports marketing, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record in developing successful partnerships.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive account strategy to drive partner business growth and achieve objectives
• Manage and nurture relationships with key partners, ensuring their needs are met and objectives are aligned with the organization's goals
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop and execute partnership activation plans and integrated campaigns
• Track and analyze partnership performance metrics, providing regular reports and insights to stakeholders
• Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activities to identify new partnership opportunities and maintain a competitive edge
• Identify and secure strategic partnership opportunities that align with the company's objectives and target market
• Lead negotiations and contract discussions with potential partners, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements
• Lead and mentor a team, providing guidance and support in executing partnership initiatives
• Develop and manage the partnerships budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources

Special Skills/Experience/Aptitudes Needed

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field
• 8+ years of relevant work experience in sports partnerships, business development, or related roles
• Proven track record in developing and managing successful partnerships, preferably within the sports marketing industry
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify partnership opportunities and develop innovative solutions
• Analytical mindset with proficiency in data analysis and reporting
• Strong business acumen and understanding of market dynamics
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Discretionary Company Bonus – up to 8% - 3% Company & 5% Individual
• Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays), pro-rated & Birthday off
• Increased annual leave with years of service
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Private Healthcare
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Staff clothing
• Working hours will be from 09.00 to 17.30 with an hour taken for lunch between 12.00 and 14.00