Commercial Partnerships Manager (Apparel)

About us 
London Marathon Events (part of the London Marathon Group) works to inspire, champion and increase activity in all ages, abilities and demographics. We do this through our successful event portfolio (which includes the TCS London Marathon and TCS Mini London Marathon, Brighton Marathon, The Big Half, Vitality London 10,000, Vitality Westminster Mile, Standard Chartered Great City Race and Swim Serpentine), through our extensive outreach programmes working with schools and community groups in London and across the UK and through our network of wholly owned or partially owned companies, such as Maverick, Run 4 Wales, Loch Ness Marathon Ltd, Caledonian Concepts, Athletic Ventures and Friday Night Lights 

Our events raise millions for charities every year to improve the lives of individuals and communities and we passionately believe in the power of sport. 

Our values are integral to who we are, how we work and what we do:

Caring - We value each other, our customers and the positive impact we make 
Curious - We open our minds to new ideas, perspectives and ways of working
Exceptional - We strive to be the best and to redefine the art of the possible 
Fun - We create joy, happiness and memories that last a lifetime

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do, and we want to ensure they are at the heart of our company. We strongly value diversity within our workforce and recognise that different people bring different perspectives, lived experience, ideas and culture to the company. This difference brings with it great strengths, including diversity of thought. So, if you’re ready to be a force for good, lead change and want to make a difference to society, keep reading.

For successful candidates the offer of employment is subject to satisfactory Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) clearance.

The Role
The Commercial Partnerships Manager will play a crucial role as a trusted advisor in the servicing of our official Footwear and Apparel Partner(s), delivering first-class relationship management and rights delivery across a variety of events.  
 
Key priorities will include ensuring proactive communication and delivery of rights takes place, driving continuous improvement for oneself and the wider department, developing detailed plans to deliver activations to achieve the brand’s marketing objectives.  
 
Kit management will also make up part of this position, which includes the responsibility to co-ordinate and oversee kit ordering with our apparel partner and efficiently implementing this alongside business needs. 

Key Responsibilities  

• Provide best-in-class client servicing to our official Footwear and Apparel partner(s).Day to day account management alongside quarterly KPI meetings.
• Support the Senior Commercial Partnerships Manager and Head of Commercial Partnerships to develop the partnership, identifying growth opportunities and additional revenue streams.
• Work with the Senior Partnerships Manager to deliver year-round apparel marketing campaigns.
• To work with key stakeholders to develop and deliver apparel partner activations plans, meeting brand objectives and partnership KPIs.
• Monitor the wider industry trends, and to act upon any key opportunities to enhance value for partners or the business.
• Act as the central co-ordinator between Commercial, Marketing, Events, Operations, Digital and Customer Experience teams to ensure partnership activations and apparel programmes are delivered successfully.
• Own the management and approval process for partner branding assets, ensuring adherence to brand guidelines, sponsorship designations and event-specific creative requirements.
• Maintain and manage partnership rights trackers, ensuring all contractual assets, branding requirements, deliverables and reporting obligations are monitored and delivered in line with agreed timelines.
• To represent the department at internal and external planning meetings, maximising commercial opportunities in line with the company’s objectives and VMOSA
• Produce partnership performance reports, post-event evaluations and stakeholder updates, using data and insight to demonstrate partnership value and identify future opportunities.
• Attend selected events each year to help deliver partner activations and/or support the wider business’ needs
• Occasionally support the Business Development team in partnership renewals and upselling opportunities.

 
Apparel Partner - Kit Management 

• Manage and oversee the business’s kit requirements, including but not limited to; event finisher T-shirts, workforce uniform, influencer and community kit drops.
• Collaborate with the apparel partner to develop seasonal product plans, event ranges, workforce apparel and participant merchandise programmes aligned to business objectives.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across partnership and kit-management processes, implementing efficient systems, reporting tools and ways of working.
• Support the delivery of sustainable apparel and partnership initiatives, ensuring activity aligns with London Marathon Events' social purpose and environmental objectives.

 
Success Measures / KPIs   

• Contribution to delivering strong NPS results year on year from sponsorship clients. 
• Successful delivery of all contractual rights in addition to clearly identifying opportunities to maximise the partnership
• Roll out an efficient and enhanced kit ordering process for use across all business areas to ensure smooth and successful delivery
• Meet company and stakeholder deadlines across the partnership delivery
• Support the Senior Partnership Manager with continuously innovating the apparel partnership and updating them across key milestones on the account
• Develop and maintain strong cross-functional relationships, achieving positive internal and external feedback, and a reputation as a trusted advisor.
• Identify opportunities to maximise apparel sales, retail visibility and consumer engagement across event channels and partner platforms.

 
Required Skills  
Technical  

• Established written and verbal communications skills 
• Customer-first mindset, focused on delivering exceptional service and outcomes. 
• Excellent organisational, prioritisation skills with attention to detail 
• Excellent computer literacy with the ability to use Microsoft office suite and other relevant software 
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders effectively
• Able to prioritise workload and manage time efficiently
• A good understanding of the commercial side of sport and a desire to build a career in the industry
• Enthusiasm to utilise AI and emerging technologies to improve reporting, partnership servicing, workflow efficiency and commercial insight generation.

  
Competencies  

• Inclusive 
• Communicates Effectively 
• Collaborative  
• Proactive 
• Customer Focused 
• Curious mindset 
• Team player with a sense of fun! 

  
Required Experience  
Essential   

• Experience in commercial apparel partnerships, apparel sponsorship, retail account management, or retail wholesale management (rights holder or brand retailers).  
• Proven experience working within the apparel, footwear or retail market
• Confident in managing and establishing senior stakeholder relationships
• Competency in AI and utilising AI functions to enhance business processes
• Cross-functional project management

 Desired 

• Prior line management experience