Partnership Activation Executive - Etihad

Location:

Abu Dhabi, GB

Full Time / Part Time:
Full Time

Contract Type:
Permanent

Based in Abu Dhabi, this full‑time role is a unique opportunity to help shape one of City Football Group’s most significant global partnerships. Working 37.5 hours per week with a flexible hybrid pattern, you will be the central coordination point for the Etihad partnership activation across the CFG club network, helping translate commercial objectives into consistent, creative and locally relevant activity around the world.

Founded in 2013, City Football Group is the world’s leading private owner and operator of football clubs, with teams across the globe connected by a shared belief in doing things differently. Alongside our clubs, we invest in football‑related businesses and build partnerships that help the game and the communities around it thrive. Everything we do is guided by our purpose: empowering better lives through football.

Rooted in more than a century of "City" football, we are proud of the role our clubs play locally and globally, creating positive impact on and off the pitch.

Within our Partnership Marketing function, the Middle East team is responsible for managing and delivering rights for a portfolio of commercial partners and sponsors. This role will sit within the Abu Dhabi‑based team and focus on Etihad, supporting joined‑up delivery across Manchester City and the wider CFG club network.

As Partnership Activation Executive – Etihad, you will sit at the heart of CFG’s global Etihad partnership. You will help ensure one of our most strategically important commercial relationships is coordinated consistently and effectively across multiple clubs, connecting Etihad’s priorities with the activation opportunities available across the group.

You will act as a key day‑to‑day contact across CFG partner clubs, supporting structured check‑ins, rights delivery, approvals, asset coordination and reporting. From brand placements and LED artwork to digital activations, hospitality rights and performance reporting, you will help keep activity on track, on brand and aligned to the partner’s objectives.

Working closely with Etihad, club teams and internal CFG functions including Marketing, Communications and Partnerships Operations, you will identify opportunities to improve processes, share best practice and raise the quality of activation across the network. There may also be sporadic international travel to support major activations and partnership moments when required.

• A degree or equivalent qualification, or the ability to meet UAE work permit requirements for the role.
• Experience in sport sponsorship, partnership marketing, brand activation or a related commercial environment, with an understanding of rights packages and partner value.
• Skilled in partner or client service, with the ability to build positive working relationships across different levels, geographies and cultures.
• A clear interest in the Middle East landscape and culture, with the curiosity and adaptability to work effectively in an Abu Dhabi‑based team.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple work streams, deadlines, approvals and stakeholders with care and consistency.
• Strong digital literacy, including confident use of Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint and Excel, alongside a practical commercial mindset.

Working at City Football Group means being supported to do your best, with the flexibility and encouragement to look after your wellbeing. We are committed to helping our people learn, grow and thrive in a culture built on collaboration, openness and hard work.

As part of our team, you will receive a salary package with applicable allowances, annual bonus opportunity, comprehensive private medical and dental insurance, Life and AD&D cover, group life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme via TELUS Health. You will also benefit from 23 days’ annual leave, plus UAE public holidays, end‑of‑service gratuity and employment visa support.

City Football Group is committed to achieving workforce diversity and we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity, disability – physical or hidden, sexual orientation, veteran status, religious belief, or any other characteristics protected by law. We strive to provide a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

If you require any support or accommodations to enable you to thrive throughout our recruitment process, please contact

Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK‑based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.