Job Description

About the Commercial Team:

The Commercial Team at Sunderland AFC is dedicated to driving the club's growth beyond the pitch. We are a passionate group focused on forging meaningful partnerships, enhancing fan experiences, and maximizing commercial opportunities through sponsorship, marketing, and merchandise.


With a diverse set of skills and backgrounds, our team collaborates closely with local businesses and global brands to create innovative solutions that benefit both the club and our community. Our mission is to build a sustainable future for Sunderland AFC while ensuring our fans feel valued every step of the way.

The Opportunity:

SAFC's Partnership Sales Manager is a commercially driven role, focused on generating new revenue by securing high-value partnerships for the club. Reporting directly to the Head of Partnership Sales, you will be responsible for building and managing a strong pipeline of prospective partners, converting opportunities into long-term commercial agreements.


This is a hands-on sales role where success will be measured by your ability to meet and exceed revenue targets. Using research, networking, and proactive outreach, you will identify potential partners across key sectors, prepare compelling proposals, and deliver persuasive sales presentations.


Working closely with the Head of Partnership Sales and wider commercial team, you will ensure that Sunderland AFC continues to attract brands who share our values and vision. By creating tailored partnership solutions, you will play a key role in enhancing the club's visibility, driving revenue growth, and building meaningful relationships with new partners.

What We Ask For:

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual for the role of Partnership Sales Manager at Sunderland AFC. The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field and possess a minimum of 3 years of experience in sponsorship sales or partnership management. An enthusiastic and results-driven professional with a genuine passion for football and the sports business is essential for this role.


The successful candidate will demonstrate proven sales experience, ideally within a sports or entertainment setting, showcasing a solid track record of achieving financial targets. A robust network of contacts in industries relevant to sponsorship will enable the identification and acquisition of new partnership opportunities. Additionally, the ability


to build and maintain high-value relationships with stakeholders at all levels is crucial for ensuring exceptional service and engagement.


Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills are necessary, along with proven negotiation capabilities to influence and secure partnerships effectively. The ideal candidate will be results-oriented, committed to meeting or exceeding financial targets, and will possess a proactive approach to driving revenue growth. Furthermore, creative thinking is a must, allowing the candidate to design bespoke sponsorship packages that appeal to a wide range of industries and demonstrate innovative solutions to meet partner needs.


A Basic DBS from Sunderland AFC is required