Jobs at Saracens

We’re looking for an experienced (minimum 3 years’ relevant experience) Partnership Sales Manager to deliver commercial growth through the acquisition of new Club commercial partners, which will require you to build strong relationships with external parties and coordinate the sales process from first contact to successful lead conversion. You will work alongside key internal stakeholders to provide compelling partnership propositions and sales materials that help the Club successfully find and convert leads to increase the value of the commercial partnership portfolio.

Our partners are the backbone of our business and they are part of our community/family. Their support, loyalty and shared commitment to our values help us impact the lives of 100,000s of people locally, enriching lives through sport and entertainment. As well as supporting our world-leading Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams, our partners are also trailblazers in tackling social inequalities through their support of the Saracens Foundation and Saracens Multi Academy Trust.

The role will report directly to the Partnerships Director and will work closely with the Partnerships Account Management team, so a good team player who is committed to the success of their team is essential.

Following an initial first round screening interview, successful candidates will be asked to identify a potential partner brand and then create and present the sales pitch to the Partnerships Director and Chief Growth Officer/ Chief Operating Officer. This task will help you understand the requirements of the role and set you up for success when joining our team.

Saracens is an inclusive, people first organisation. A core part of achieving our mission is that our workforce is diverse and reflective of the community that we serve. There will be no discrimination in our recruitment and selection processes, nor when considering pay and benefits. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for the position and join us on our mission to enrich lives through sport and entertainment.

Our home is StoneX Stadium, London’s most beautiful and sustainable boutique multi-use venue – it’s an exciting and inspiring place to work!

DETAILS

• JOB TITLE: Partnership Sales Manager
• LOCATION: StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon, London, NW4 1RL
• CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, includes some weekend work
• SALARY: Competitive plus Commission (subject to experience) per annum with a generous commission scheme in place to reward new business and renewals.
• RESPONSIBLE FOR: Delivering commercial growth through the acquisition of new Club commercial partners
• KEY STAKEHOLDERS: All internal departments, our commercial partners, sales agencies, Hospitality Members, Premiership Rugby, EPCR, Saracens suppliers and contractors.

Partnership Sales

• Work with the Partnerships Director and the wider Partnerships team to successfully execute the Club’s partner acquisition plan and contribute towards revenue growth targets.
• Lead on the sales outreach for defined, pre-qualified target categories, making first contact with targeted brands, arranging meetings to pitch to these businesses, negotiating terms and successfully concluded partnership agreements.
• Coordinate external meetings with potential partners, ensuring that appropriate personnel from the Club are engaged with to maximise the conversion of developing leads.
• Maintain a network of brand contacts that are suitable for the development of new partnership agreements.
• Work with key internal stakeholders on the creation of partnership propositions and commercial packages that ensure Saracens commercial inventory is utilised effectively, consistently and provides maximum revenue return.
• Work with and maintain strong ongoing relationships with relevant agency contacts within the sports marketing industry and ensure parties are kept up-to-date on key club updates and opportunities.
• Deliver against agreed targets.

Delivery

• Manage sales pipelines to ensure all leads are fully explored.
• Contribute towards effective reporting structures that ensure sales outreach progress is being captured and reported to other key internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the wider partnerships team in category approaches, ensuring the Club are creating an environment of competitive tension across the category and current partners to support growing and maximising total revenue.
• Work with the legal and finance teams to successfully conclude and contract partnership agreements in line with Club policy and process.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of the sales and marketing activities of prospective partners as well as the strategic direction of their business challenges and opportunities, markets, and competitors.

Benchmarking & Insights

• Document a thorough understanding of the market across the sport and rugby landscape.
• Provide benchmarking in the partnerships space.
• Conducting high quality due diligence and research to qualify prospect partners.
• Creation of weekly insights reports – highlighting recent deals and key trends.

Stakeholder Management

• Building wider relationships with customers more broadly across the business.
• Driving partners to purchase additional consumer products with a key focus on big game/s.
• Assist in the creation of events and experiences to ensure key stakeholders are engaged throughout the season.
• Identifying key decision makers and making memories with partners to ensure renewal.
• Demonstrating value of partnerships & ROI to partners and the wider business.

YOU SHOULD APPLY IF YOU HAVE

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in the Sport Industry, specifically Sponsorship and Partnership sales with a proven track record of sales success (experience of working for a Sport Rights Holder, Partnership Sales Agency or within the sponsorship team at a Brand is desirable).
• A University degree in a subject relevant to this role, ESA Diploma or equivalent Sports Industry qualifications are desirable, but not essential.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and communication skills (proficiency in MS word, Excel, Outlook and CRM is expected).
• Experience in formulating, managing and delivering against budgets.
• Experience in dealing with senior stakeholders and the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally with key stakeholders, at all levels.

Personal Characteristics & Leadership Behaviours                                                           

• Ability to thrive in and promote a culture of hard work, discipline, honesty, and humility to deliver strategy and results
• A true team player with the drive, passion, enthusiasm to proactively reach out to other functions, build consensus and deliver excellence in partnerships and sales.
• Ability to react quickly to complex situations and apply problems solving skills, working with employees, executives and outside organisations in a professional manner
• Defines ambitious goals and establishes priorities with clear responsibilities to ensure results
• Benchmarks competitors and other industries to identify and apply best practice to form inside advantage
• Manages projects, activities, and resources effectively and assumes personal ownership of results
• Encourages open discussion of different ideas and views; welcomes and solicits feedback
• Smart, non-political with a highly developed sense of ethics, energy, creativity and ambition
• Maintains a calm focus on results and puts clarity and order into complex issues
• Thrives in an intellectual, fast paced but ultimately target driven environment
• A passion for diversity and ability to be credible across diverse cultures
• Leverages personal and business relationships to achieve significant success
• Low ego, happy to roll up sleeves if necessary

BENEFITS

Flexible working hours

• We trust you to work enough hours to do your job, at times that suit you and your team
• Currently, we all work from the office on Monday and Thursdays. This keeps team collaboration and engagement high. This is subject to ongoing review

Compensation

• Your manager reviews your salary in line with the Clubs Performance Development Review
• However, proactive pay increases will be implements to reflect growing responsibilities

Holiday

• 25 days’ holiday a year, plus bank holidays – please use them all!

Health & wellbeing

• Paid sick leave for both physical & mental health
• Access to complimentary tickets to Saracens Home games for you and your family

How to apply:

Applications should be made by submitting a CV and covering letting incorporating suitability to the role. Applications should be sent to Sangita Asani, People Business Partner at recruitment@saracens.net.

Closing date for applications is Monday 28 April 2025, at 5pm.

Saracens Group positively welcomes and seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you have not heard from us by 7 days after the closing date of the role, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Due to the ongoing success of the Saracens Foundation, we are seeking additional casual coaches to add to our delivery capacity and continue a high level of coaching on programmes across North London, Hertfordshire and Essex. This is a casual position which will have varied hours as required by the projects. The Saracens Foundation is a registered charity which exists to enhance the lives of children and young people through the power of sport. It achieves this through the delivery of high quality and innovative programmes that promote the benefits of sport, physical activity and a healthy lifestyle. Saracens Foundation delivers its work in partnership with key local statutory agencies including schools, colleges and FE establishments, county sports partnerships, local councils, youth offending teams and the local community.

RESPONSIBILITIES/REQUIREMENTS

You will be expected to coach a variety of inclusive tag, touch and contact rugby activities and deliver cross curricular sessions in a secondary and primary school setting. In addition to coaching, a key aspect of the role involves various admin tasks when necessary. Working across secondary schools, a proven ability to build relationships in these environments is essential.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• To deliver inclusive rugby sessions that includes delivering tag, touch or contact to boys and girls in schools, either curriculum or after-school.
• Plan, organise, deliver and review all sessions.
• Complete all aspects of monitoring and evaluation of all delivered sessions.
• Use the Saracens Way to engage and increase participation in under-represented groups.
• To have regular meetings/catch-ups with lead project officer.

ESSENTIAL

• UKCC Level 2 Coaching Qualification in Rugby Union.
• Experience of working with a range of children aged 6-18.
• Current Driving Licence and have access to a suitable vehicle.
• Hold or willing to apply for a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate.
• A passion for sport and an understanding of wider issues related to sport, health and education.
• Good organisation and time management skills.
• Excellent communication, motivation and ability to inspire others.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, if necessary.

DESIRABLE

• Attended 3 or more RFU CPD workshops
• Valid first aid qualification.
• Good understanding of barriers to participation in the local area.

Rate of pay: Applications: £25 per hour dependent on experience. Applicants should send a current CV and covering letter to milesthompson@saracens.net

This is ongoing recruitment campaign.

Saracens Foundation deliver a range of projects in the areas of North London and Hertfordshire. We are seeking to engage with casual dance and or gymnastics coaches to work on our Foundation Dance programme within our schools communities. We are looking for enthusiastic coaches who bring the energy to every session for all age ranges.

The post holder will be ‘hands-on’ developing, leading, and delivering dance and gymnastics sessions for the children in the schools we work in predominantly based in North London and Hertfordshire. The sessions will take place across the week from Monday to Friday. You will work alongside our full time dance team to ensure that dance sessions are being that are delivered provide an excellent service to our key stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver regular dance/gymnastics sessions to children from a range of ages.
• Coaches will plan & prepare dance/gymnastics sessions and provide positive playing experiences for all participants.
• Ensures that dance/gymnastics sessions are delivered to the highest standard.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders, including, but not limited to, key partner clubs.
• Coordinate with Foundation Dance team to ensure high quality and safe delivery that exceeds expectations.

ESSENTIALS FOR THE ROLE INCLUDE:

Level 2 Dance qualification.

Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be required to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate (DBS) through the Foundation.

Current driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle.

Good organisation and time management skills.

A passion for Dance/Gymnastics and understanding of the work undertaken by the Foundation in this area.

You will be expected to bring the energy/motivation and be an inspiration to your audience.

Willingness to be flexible, if required.

Rate of pay £25 per hour

The location of the delivery will be based at our network of schools in the North London and Hertfordshire areas.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidate should send in a short covering letter and a current CV via the form below

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our team can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Our renowned Saracens Pioneer Volunteer programme was established in the Olympic year of 2012. Saracens Pioneers are the life blood (DNA) of Saracens along with the staff and players. Match days are delivered with the support, participation, and time given by our volunteers, known as ‘The Pioneers’. The Pioneers make each and every home match day a unique and fabulous experience for all our visitors to StoneX Stadium.

We maintain a pool of up to 170 Pioneers with typically 90 to 100 volunteering on match day.  Recruitment cycles are annual and start in summer. The programme sets high expectations and has done so since inception in 2012, becoming the envy of many sporting organisations nationally and globally. The programme delivers an enhanced customer service to Spectators whilst upholding our Saracens core values.  Pioneers are part of the Saracens family, are highly valued throughout the club, partners, sponsors and fanbase.

Our Pioneers are a diverse group of people of all ages and backgrounds.  Some of our Pioneers travel from further afield, to support Saracens, besides those who live locally in and around North London.

Saracens Pioneers are a team of match day volunteers who represent the smiling faces of Saracens Rugby Club. This opportunity is for anyone interested in volunteering with an elite sporting organisation at its spectator events at StoneX Stadium. The programme will give volunteers practical insight into match day operations, crowd dynamics, as well as achieving a qualification in Spectator Safety.

Our programme currently consists of 16 home matches for Saracens Mens rugby matches that Pioneers can support throughout the season. Whilst we would love for our volunteers to support on all 16 matches, we know that this is not always possible. We do however hope that we cab get about +/- of 8 games throughout the season for Pioneers to support on.

The Pioneer Programme is inclusive and open to all. Primarily we are looking for individuals who are:

• Reliable, friendly, engaging and professional
• Over the age of 18
• Able to display good interpersonal, communication and excellent customer service skills
• Relentlessly positive, responsible, adaptable and energised at all times
• Enjoy working professionally in a team environment
• Supportive and sensitive to the needs of visitors, supporters, Pioneer colleagues and staff
• Able to demonstrate and abide by the Saracen’s core values of Honesty, Discipline, Humility and Work Rate.
• A level of mobility to achieve the Pioneer role within the stadium environment
• Stadium or rugby experience is not essential for the Pioneer role

Pioneer Match Day key roles and responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

Health and safety, welfare and the meeting and greeting to the very highest standards, of all our Spectators and visitors within the stadium environment on a match day.  Saracens Pioneers are a unique resource that draws on best practice for crowd safety management, stewarding and customer service to all our visitors.

Pioneers do provide a dedicated service to assist our disabled visitors.  A number of our Pioneers have professional experience working with client groups with a range of physical, emotional and learning challenges.

All of our Pioneers volunteer in Spectators Services in the following areas:

• Meeting & Greeting and welcoming Spectators, visitors and fans within and to the Stadium, through our three gates and at Edgware, Mill Hill Broadway and Mill Hill East stations, as well as at the Pursley Road bus stops and footpaths
• Undertaking ticketing duties at our three gates
• Working in our North, South, East (which includes hospitality areas) and West stands
• Working in our fan zone areas
• Working with our Hospitality Support Team.

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Behind the scenes there is a Volunteer Management and Volunteer Support team engaged in supporting, motivating, planning, logistics, HR, training/ development of our volunteers.  Looking after and supporting our Pioneers is extremely important to the programmer.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

We are looking for people who can show potential to become a Pioneer through skills and experience gained from their personal life, work, volunteer experiences and educational background as follows:

• Demonstrate flexibility to cover match day responsibilities in all areas of the volunteer role
• Undertake match day roles in a reliable, friendly, responsible and professional manner, making spectator safety a priority
• Demonstrate good communication that support and develop your potential to deliver excellent customer service within a team
• Show evidence of skills to volunteer in the Spectator Service roles with a passion for volunteering
• Show evidence of personal excellence and going that extra mile that would support the volunteer role
• Give evidence of being relentlessly positive, exceptional and energised at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• It is a mandatory requirement that every volunteer achieves as soon as practicable possible lst4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Spectator Safety or shows evidence that they have achieved this qualification or equivalent. This qualification is provided by Saracens.
• Requirements in some areas would need mobility to climb stairs.
• Complete and meet criteria of volunteer orientation to achieve and confirm your Pioneer status

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

• Expenses reimbursed on agreed threshold for travel
• Meal & Refreshments provided whilst on duty
• Pioneer uniform
• Incentives to recognise the time and efforts of all Pioneers throughout the season through a variety of events.
• Opportunities to volunteer within other Saracen’s Sporting events
• The chance to build friendships and camaraderie with fellow Pioneers and colleagues

To find out more about the role and the opportunity to become a Saracens Pioneer, please complete the Pioneer application form on our Volunteer Management System. A member of our team will be in touch with you to progress your application.

Alternatively, if you want to know more about the programme, or if you know anyone else who may be interested in joining the team, please email pioneers@saracens.net.