At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage relationships with top-tier partners and execute impactful sponsorship campaigns.
- Company: Join Football Australia, a leader in uniting and elevating the football community.
- Benefits: Enjoy wellbeing leave, paid parental leave, and social activities like futsal.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a passionate sports environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transforming football dreams into reality while working with global brands.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in partnerships or corporate accounts, strong leadership and commercial skills required.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 $ per year.
Moore Park, New South Wales 2021, Australia
Full-time Permanent Mid-level Senior
ABOUT US
Purpose: To lead, promote, unite, develop and regulate football
Vision: To unite and elevate Australian football to become a world class, globally respected system to inspire our national, developing excellence at every level
Mission: Working with our stakeholders everyday – to build the capability, capacity and capital we need now and in the future – to transform every football dream into reality
To achieve the above, we live by our company values which are:
- Ready: Always ready, Always ahead
- Connect: Together, united
- Excel: Our best, every day in every way
- Protect: Guarding the game, Securing the future
WHAT WE OFFER
At Football Australia we want to look after our people and below are just some of the many benefits of joining our team:
- Wellbeing & Lifestyle leave
- Paid Parental leave in addition to statutory government offering
- Volunteer leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Workplace Banking Program
- Social activities such as 5-a-side futsal
BACKGROUND & PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Senior Partnerships Manager is a critical management role responsible for the relationship management, commercial execution, and account health of a tier-one portfolio of commercial partners. Acting as the primary strategic anchor for top-tier sponsors, this role ensures all contractual business objectives and ROI/ROO metrics are met. Positioned strategically between leadership and operations, the incumbent translates the overarching strategy set by the Head of Partnerships into clear, actionable delivery plans, whilst managing and mentoring a Partnerships Executive to ensure operational excellence across match days and campaigns. This role connects premium global and local brands to the nation's most loved national teams including the CommBank Matildas and CommBank Socceroos - driving best-in-class sponsorship leverage across the entire football ecosystem.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead day-to-day relationships with tier-one partners, aligning to their commercial and marketing objectives
- Translate partnership strategy into clear, actionable annual account plans
- Deliver end-to-end sponsorship activations across broadcast, digital, social, experiential and match-day channels
- Manage and mentor a Partnerships Executive, ensuring high-quality delivery and outputs
- Support renewals and upsell opportunities, identifying growth across the partner portfolio
- Collaborate cross-functionally (Marketing, Media, Digital, Events, Legal) to deliver integrated campaigns
- Ensure compliance with player IP, commercial frameworks, and brand governance standards
- Lead partner reporting, including campaign analysis and performance insights
ROLE OUTCOMES/ DELIVERABLES
- Sponsor Satisfaction: Exceed partner satisfaction targets and qualitative benchmarks through proactive relationship management and service excellence
- Campaign Delivery: Ensure 100% of campaign plans and contractual entitlements are delivered on time, meeting or exceeding set ROI/ROO metrics
- Operational Efficiency: Establish clear delegation workflows with the Partnerships Executive, achieving high-hygiene asset tracking and efficient approval speeds
- Reporting Excellence: Deliver comprehensive, data-driven post-campaign and match-window reports within established organisational timelines
- Commercial Growth: Proactively contribute to the ideation and strategic presentation of successful partner renewals and expansion projects.
5+ years’ experience managing partnerships or corporate accounts in sport, media, entertainment, or agency environments
Proven people leader with experience mentoring or managing junior team members
Strong commercial acumen, with a solid understanding of sponsorship strategy and brand objectives
Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior decision-makers
Highly organised, with experience delivering multi-channel campaigns across multiple accounts
Experience within a rights holder or major sporting organisation
Strong knowledge of the football landscape (local and global)
Senior Partnerships Manager in Sydney employer: Football Australia
At Football Australia, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions flexibility and employee wellbeing. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering unique benefits such as Birthday Leave, Study Leave, and opportunities for professional growth within the dynamic world of football broadcasting. Join us in our mission to elevate Australian football while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and personal development.
