Sports Marketing Lead

**Job overview**

The sports marketing lead will be responsible for managing sponsorship activations, sports partnerships, and promotional events across rugby and soccer schools. This role will oversee all aspects of sports marketing, including partnerships, athlete sponsorships, fitness initiatives, and brand activations at major sporting events.

Additionally, the sports marketing lead will manage GIC’s fitness app and online store, overseeing merchandise procurement, stock management, and product listings. The role will also play a key part in organising staff participation in yearly running and cycling events, ensuring all logistics and branding are aligned with GIC’s sponsorship and marketing goals.

This is an exciting opportunity for a marketing professional with a passion for sports, fitness, and brand partnerships to lead and expand GIC’s presence in the sports industry.

**Key responsibilities**

**Sports marketing and sponsorship management**
- Develop and implement sports marketing strategies focused on rugby and soccer sponsorships.
- Manage sponsorship activations and sports partnership events, ensuring GIC’s brand is well-positioned at key sports engagements.
- Work closely with schools and sports organisations to drive grassroots engagement and brand awareness.
- Coordinate branding efforts and promotional activities at sponsored sports events, ensuring maximum visibility and impact.
- Build and maintain relationships with sports stakeholders, including school administrators, coaches, and sports federations.

**Athlete and brand ambassador management**
- Manage relationships with sponsored athletes, ensuring they receive branded kits and meet sponsorship obligations.
- Arrange athlete travel, race entries, and accommodations as needed, in alignment with sponsorship agreements.
- Oversee contract negotiations with athletes and ambassadors to maximise brand exposure.

**Fitness app and online store management**
- Oversee the management, development, and promotion of GIC’s fitness app, ensuring it remains relevant and engaging for users.
- Source and procure merchandise for the GIC online store, ensuring a diverse and high-quality product offering.
- Upload new products and manage inventory within the online store, ensuring accurate descriptions, pricing, and images.
- Keep records of products issued to staff and manage stock replenishment to ensure availability.

**Annual staff running and cycling events**
- Plan and execute staff participation in yearly running and cycling events, ensuring all logistics, branding, and promotional activities align with GIC’s fitness and sports marketing goals.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external event organisers to facilitate staff entries, transport, and branded kit distribution.

**Partnership and negotiation management**
- Be the main custodian for negotiations with sports organisations, event partners, and suppliers to secure beneficial sponsorship deals and activations.
- Identify new partnership opportunities to expand GIC’s presence in the sports and fitness industry.

**Campaign performance and strategic adjustments**
- Analyse the effectiveness of sports marketing initiatives, sponsorships, and activations.
- Adjust strategies based on performance data and insights to maximise engagement and return on investment.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate sports marketing efforts with GIC’s overall marketing strategy.

**Qualifications and experience**
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, sports management, or a related field.
- Minimum three years of experience in sports marketing, sponsorship management, or event marketing.
- Proven ability to manage sports events, athlete sponsorships, and brand partnerships.
- Experience in digital marketing and e-commerce, particularly in managing an online store.
- In-depth knowledge of sports marketing trends and best practices.

**Skills and competencies**
- Strategic thinker with excellent project management skills.
- Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency in digital marketing, social media, and e-commerce platforms.
- Highly organised with strong time management and multitasking abilities.
- Passion for sports, fitness, and athlete engagement.