Partnerships Manager

City Football Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports organisation is seeking a Partnerships Manager to develop strategic partnerships that maximize social impact in the community. The role involves building relationships with partners, negotiating agreements, and ensuring successful partnership activations. Strong communication and project management skills are essential, along with a background in sports or non-profit sectors. The position is based in Manchester, offering an opportunity to contribute to community wellbeing through football.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of successfully selling and negotiating commercial deals.
• Strong ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic partnership growth by identifying and securing new prospects.
• Lead partnership acquisition and manage existing relationships.
• Develop and negotiate commercial proposals with partners.

Skills

Commercial negotiation

Relationship management

Presentation skills

Organisational skills

Proactive business development

Education

Relevant degree (Football/Sport Business, Marketing, Management, or Public Relations)

Tools

CRM

Data analytics

Job description

Closing Date for Application: 2nd January 2025

Purpose

Established in 1986, City in the Community is Manchester City’s official charity. We support people across Manchester by empowering healthier lives through football. Our programmes place physical and mental wellbeing at their core, whilst also creating healthy futures and healthy communities.

As Partnerships Manager, you will drive CITC’s mission by developing and growing strategic partnerships that maximise income, value, and social impact. Working closely with the Head of Partnerships and key stakeholders, you’ll secure new partnerships, strengthen existing relationships, and ensure measurable outcomes that benefit both partners and the community.

The role forms part of the CITC Wider Management Team and will be expected to play an active role, ultimately contributing to the achievement of strategic priorities and overall vision of the charity.

Accountabilities

• Drive strategic partnership growth - Proactively identify, develop, and secure a pipeline of new prospects. Build strong, mutually beneficial relationships that deliver measurable impact and long‑term sustainability.
• Lead partnership acquisition and retention - Manage and grow relationships with prospective and existing partners, ensuring exceptional relationship management. Deliver tailored solutions that meet partner objectives and increase revenue streams for the charity, achieving year‑on‑year income growth. Lead pitch meetings with global and local brands, ensuring proposals align with CITC’s mission and revenue goals.
• Develop and negotiate commercial proposals - Create compelling partnership proposals and lead negotiations to secure agreements that meet financial and social impact targets. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure proposals are innovative, high‑quality, and aligned with organisational goals.
• Deliver outstanding account management - Ensure all contractual obligations are met and activations executed to the highest standard. Support partner events and activations, providing on‑site coordination. Implement impact‑driven reporting to demonstrate value and strengthen partner relationships through renewals and expanded agreements.
• Provide actionable insight and reporting - Compile and present regular intelligence reports that highlight performance, trends, and opportunities. Use insights to inform strategic decisions and drive continuous improvement in partnership delivery.
• Promote collaboration and innovation - Work cross‑functionally within the charity and club to foster a culture of collaboration and creativity. Contribute ideas that enhance partnership offerings and deliver greater social impact.
• Optimise systems and processes - Leverage CRM and project management tools to monitor progress, analyse ROI, and enhance operational efficiency. Ensure data integrity and use analytics to maximise partnership value.
• Ensuring that CITC’s Safeguarding policy and procedures are embedded to the highest standard across the team. Work to ensure that safeguarding practices and principles are adhered to, ensuring our legal and moral obligations towards the framework.
• Ensuring that all CITC and CFG policies and procedures are adhered to across the team, escalating any breaches as appropriate

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven track record of successfully selling and negotiating commercial deals.
• Strong ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders that are mutually beneficial.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong presentation skills.
• Ability to develop strategies and goals to achieve partnership sales targets.
• Strong organisational and project management skills to deliver on targets.
• A proactive approach to developing new business opportunities.
• Familiarity with the sports industry, CSR, or the non‑profit landscape.
• Stakeholder influencing.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Desirable

• Relevant degree in (but not restricted to) Football/Sport Business, Marketing, Management or Public Relations.
• An ability to demonstrate examples of innovation.
• Knowledge and interest in the sporting world.
• CRM, data analytics and social impact reporting.

City Football Group promotes equal opportunities in employment, and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview.

Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities