Partnerships Lead

Location: Home Based with travel into London and overseas, when required. There is likely

to be a need to travel to Hong Kong and Australia once or twice per year.

Hours: Part Time - 3 days per week (or equivalent)

Contract: Fixed Term Contract until December 2027 with potential to extend beyond this and/or convert to full time.

The Global Rugby Players Foundation is a registered charity set up to support players’ smooth transition into their life Beyond the Game. The Foundation was created by our eleven Founders (Alicia Lucas, Conrad Smith, Census Johnston, Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, Kristine Sommer, Richie McCaw, Rachel Burford, Sharni Williams, Siya Kolisi and Thierry Dusautoir), in partnership with World Rugby and International Rugby Players.

By the players, for the players; the Global Rugby Players Foundation seeks to empower rugby players, who shaped and contributed to the success of our sport, to achieve their full potential Beyond the Game. It sets out to reframe the perception of leaving the game as a positive challenge and an opportunity to forge new careers, build new connections and expand players’ identity.

Transition out of professional rugby can be one of the most challenging and transformative periods in a player's life. Moving beyond the structure, routine and identity of professional sport often means finding a new purpose, career, and sense of self. The Foundation provides much needed support to players facing these challenges, wherever they are in the world.

We provide grant funding to official Player Associations around the world, enabling them to deliver tailored support that meets the needs of former players in their communities. Programmes span career transition, mental wellbeing, financial wellbeing, education, and lifelong connection.

Working alongside our programme partners, World Rugby and the International Rugby Players Association, we develop global initiatives that complement local support and benefit former players worldwide. This includes the continued development of the Beyond the Game Platform, providing accessible learning, resources, and opportunities wherever players are based. Together, our local and global programmes empower, connect and champion former players as they build their lives Beyond the Game.

We are seeking an ambitious, commercially minded, and relationship-driven Partnerships Lead to establish and grow our corporate and strategic partnerships programme. This is a newly created role, offering an exciting opportunity to shape our partnerships strategy, develop a robust new business pipeline, and secure sustainable income that enables us to deliver greater impact for the players Beyond the Game.

The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, securing, and managing high-value partnerships with businesses and individuals and other entities. They will work collaboratively across the Foundation to develop compelling partnership propositions that align organisational priorities with partners' corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental, social and governance (ESG), employee engagement, and community investment objectives.

This role is suited to an experienced charity partnerships professional, who has a proven track record of winning new business and delivering significant income growth within the third sector.

• Develop and implement a proactive new business partnerships strategy aligned with the Foundation's fundraising objectives.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective corporate and strategic partners, and individuals to support our mission.
• Identify and research potential partners whose values align with the Foundation's mission.
• Develop tailored partnership proposals and compelling cases for support.
• Lead negotiations and secure mutually beneficial partnership agreements.
• Represent the charity at networking events to generate new opportunities.

• Develop strong relationships with prospective and existing partners.
• Deliver exceptional stewardship throughout the partnership lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal teams…