Business and Partnerships Manager

Wiltshire FA is looking for a Business and Partnerships Manager to join its Senior Management Team during a period of organisational development and expected growth.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the role will focus on increasing and diversifying commercial income while strengthening Wiltshire FA’s ability to work effectively with new and existing partners.

The postholder will play an important role in Wiltshire FA’s commercial and engagement activity, helping the organisation deliver for football participants, clubs, leagues and communities across Swindon and Wiltshire. The position will also contribute to performance reporting, governance, compliance, business process improvement and financial oversight.

he Business and Partnerships Manager will be responsible for developing new commercial relationships and strengthening existing partnerships. This includes identifying potential partners, developing opportunities that create value for both Wiltshire FA and its partners, overseeing partnership agreements and ensuring agreed objectives are delivered.

The role will also identify external funding opportunities across corporate partnerships, sponsorship, grants, trusts, CSR partnerships and public-sector commissioning. The postholder will lead and support funding applications and proposals and work closely with colleagues to develop sustainable income streams.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Developing and managing commercial and non-commercial partnerships.

• Identifying sponsorship, grant, trust, CSR and commissioning opportunities.

• Leading the development of bids and funding proposals.

• Building relationships with businesses, public-sector organisations, charities and other stakeholders.

• Monitoring commercial income and partnership performance.

• Supporting financial and organisational reporting.

• Developing impact reports for funders and partners.

• Implementing and maintaining CRM processes for pipeline management, forecasting and partnership lifecycle management.

• Supporting Wiltshire FA’s governance, compliance and organisational development.

• Contributing to safeguarding, equality and inclusion across the organisation.

• Supporting annual budgeting and financial controls.

These areas reflect the responsibilities set out across the commercial, funding, stakeholder, governance, CRM and finance sections of the role profile.

Wiltshire FA is looking for someone with a degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience and a minimum of five years’ relevant experience in income generation, commercial partnerships, sponsorship, fundraising or business development, together with senior stakeholder engagement experience.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills.

• Business development, negotiation, influencing and relationship-building ability.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposal and bid writing.

• Strong financial and analytical skills, including budget management and forecasting.

• Project management experience and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills.

• The ability to use data to monitor performance and support decision-making.

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Experience within public-sector, charity or not-for-profit organisations, digital income generation or fundraising, and event management would be advantageous.

Candidates should have a track record of developing and delivering successful income-growth strategies and experience across multiple income streams.

Wiltshire FA is particularly looking for experience in areas such as corporate partnerships or sponsorship alongside grants, trusts, CSR, commissioning or individual giving. Experience establishing new projects, processes, governance and reporting structures is also required.

Knowledge of how County FAs work in partnership with The FA and an understanding of good people-management practice are essential. Experience within sport, charity, not-for-profit or grassroots football environments would be desirable.

This is a permanent, full-time role working 35 hours per week, with occasional evening and weekend work required.

The position operates on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of three days per week at:

Wiltshire FA
Green Lane Playing Fields
Green Lane
Devizes
SN10 5EP

The role also involves travel across Swindon and Wiltshire and occasional travel further afield, including Wembley and St George’s Park.

Salary: £34,000–£40,000 per annum.

The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check and hold a clean, full driving licence. Wiltshire FA will also carry out a check against the Companies House disqualified directors register.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK throughout the duration of the contract

Applications should be made directly through Wiltshire FA using the organisation’s official vacancy page.