Head of Partnership Management

About parkrun

parkrun is a health and wellbeing charity and our vision is to create a healthier and happier

planet.

Since our conception in 2004, parkrun has evolved into a global social movement with a

vibrant and inclusive community at its core. As of 2024, we have recorded over 100-million

instances of walking, jogging, running, and volunteering.

Our mission is to transform lives by empowering people to be active, together, outdoors in

their local community; and to protect parkrun for the generations to come. Each and every

weekend, we deliver free, weekly timed events that people of all ages and backgrounds can

join in. By tackling barriers to participation, we encourage communities to come together

and embrace regular physical activity.

 

Now in its 21st year, parkrun spans over 2,600 locations in 21 countries with more than 10

million people registered, and counting.

 

And we have really only just begun.

 

Brief role description:

The Head of Partner Management role is responsible for leading on and strengthening

relationships with parkrun's corporate partners (external) both in the UK and globally. This

role involves maintaining and developing partnerships through regular face-to-face

meetings and communications, identifying opportunities to enhance revenue and value, and

ensuring partners align with parkrun's strategy. The role exists within the Commercial &

Fundraising team supporting global staff to ensure best practice across parkrun Global

partner footprint. As a senior staff member you will work with various teams to execute

successful partner campaigns and deliver partner’s rights. You will also support and on

identifying new sponsors and opportunities with corporates to increase revenue to parkrun.

 

Main responsibilities:

● Working with local partnership managers, manage and grow relationships with

parkrun’s global commercial partners ensuring strong collaboration and mutual

benefit.

● Develop parkrun’s account management processes and documentation globally with

an aim to be world class, using KPI and objective planning, data to measure

performance and ensuring regional partnership managers successfully achieve the

objectives of partners in their region.

● Create, manage and implement campaigns on behalf of partners, monitor and report

on performance of these campaigns and ensure the delivery of contracted rights.

Ensure best practice from these campaigns is shared across the parkrun territories.

● Work with Global Head of Commercial & Fundraising to identify, negotiate and on

board new partners and take a lead on renewing contracts with existing partners.

● Explore innovative ideas to enhance the rights offered to partners and identify

opportunities to increase value. Lead on exploring how parkrun can work with the

corporate sector; identifying opportunities that drive income not only from rights but

alignment with parkrun’s charitable mission.

● Build and manage a small, fast-paced, high-performance and collaborative team that

champions parkrun’s partners and their work.

 

Stay up to date with industry trends within the sports and charity sector, engage in

sector networking, and ensure parkrun adopts best practices in sponsorship

management to maximise partnerships and maintain a competitive edge

 

Expectations of a line managers at parkrun:

● Will have regular 1:1s with direct reports.

● Will set objectives for direct reports / team.

● Will provide regular feedback and developmental guidance.

● Will plan teams’ workload and availability.

● Will play a role in recruitment and selection and work with the People & Culture

team to understand the roles required.

● Will cascade messages to the team as appropriate.

● Will be able to assign responsibilities and authority to the right employees, taking

their interests, ambitions, development and competency into account.

● Will deliver any disciplinary sanctions in line with our policies and processes.

● Will provide support for team members and promote health and wellbeing at work.

Essential experience requirements:

● Experience in managing and leading relationships with commercial partners.

● Prior experience in managing and implementing successful campaigns on behalf of

partners, ensuring the delivery of rights.

● Experience in developing and implementing strategies to grow revenue through

partnerships and sponsorships.

● Experience in producing reports to track progression of partnership KPIs.

● Experience and confidence in presenting.

● Experience in line management

 

Desirable experience requirements:

● Experience managing commercial partners at an international level.

● Experience with managing/overseeing multiple partners at varying levels of

sponsorship -

● Experience in contract discussions and renewals.

 

Experience in organising partner engagement events or organising events with a

commercial partner.

● Familiarity with CRM systems or other tools to effectively manage partnership

activities, track progress and highlight reports.

● Experience in developing creative brand-led campaigns and activation on behalf of

brands

 

Professional certification requirements:

N/A

 

Most relevant skills:

● Attention to Detail: Meticulous with a sharp eye for detail and accuracy.

● Communication: Able to talk and work with people at all levels in a professional and

mature manner across the whole parkrun network.

● Initiative: Able to be proactive, take initiative and take steps to improve ways of

working seeking support where necessary.

● Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate and establish rapport at all levels,

internally and externally.

● Organisation: Able to determine goals and priorities and to accurately assess the

actions, time and resources needed to achieve those goals.

● Presentation: Able to deliver engaging and informative presentations with excellent

public speaking skills.

● Priority Management: Able to manage competing priorities with resilience and thrive

in a fast paced environment.

● Teamwork: Able to effectively manage conflict and interact with / respect diverse

personalities.

● Able to use a variety of IT systems and tools, such as google workspace.

● Demonstrates high levels of discretion and confidentiality.

● Demonstrates a growth mindset, with a desire to improve and learn new skills.

At parkrun, we believe that everyone should be able to participate in, and enjoy, physical

activity in a safe environment, and be safeguarded from harm through a duty of care. As

such, safeguarding is a fundamental part of every role, and all staff have a responsibility to

play an active part in keeping everyone safe.

 

The post holder will be required to comply with all policies and procedures issued by

parkrun Ltd.

 

This job description is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements of

the post holder. The organisation may stipulate other reasonable requirements. The job

description will be reviewed and may be subject to change.

 

parkrun is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer, committed to building a diverse

and welcoming team that reflects the communities we aim to serve. We believe that varied

perspectives strengthen our mission to create a healthier, happier planet. We encourage job

applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age and

other protected characteristics.

At parkrun, we strive to make every voice heard and valued, and we are dedicated to breaking

down barriers to inclusion in all aspects of our workplace. For more on our commitment to

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, please see our Global DEI Statement.