Partnerships Lead, Global Rugby Players Foundation - Contract, Part-Time
Candidate Brief and Job Description
Who We Are
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.
Our Ambition
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.
Our Purpose
- Support players in navigating their transition from rugby while empowering them to face the challenges associated with the loss of identity that accompanies leaving the game.
- Promote the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of players after rugby, by offering comprehensive support services and proactive mental health programmes.
- Prevent the social exclusion of the most vulnerable players, including those facing challenges such as unemployment, financial difficulties, physical or mental illness, substance abuse, or dependencies, by providing necessary support and resources.
- Encourage players to use their capacity as role models to create positive change in their communities.
- Advocate the importance of supporting players throughout their entire life, and not just their playing careers.
Our Services
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.
Local
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.
Global
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.
Job Title: Partnerships Lead
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
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.
Salary: £60,000 pro rata
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.
Start date: September 2026
Role Overview
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.
Responsibilities
Partnership Development
- 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.
Relationship Management
- Develop strong relationships with prospective and existing partners.
- Deliver exceptional stewardship throughout the partnership lifecycle.
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure partnership commitments are fulfilled.
- Identify opportunities to grow existing relationships through additional fundraising, sponsorship, employee engagement, volunteering, and strategic collaborations.
Income Generation
- Achieve agreed annual income and partnership targets.
- Produce accurate income forecasts and pipeline reports.
- Monitor partnership performance against agreed objectives and impact KPIs.
- Maximise long-term value from partnerships through renewals and strategic account growth.
Strategic Development
- Help establish and embed partnership processes, systems, and best practice.
- Contribute to the wider fundraising strategy.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity to identify emerging opportunities.
- Ensure all partnership and major donor activity complies with fundraising regulations and charity governance requirements.
The Ideal Candidate
Essential Experience
- Significant experience securing and developing corporate partnerships and grants and trusts within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
- Demonstrable success in generating new business and achieving income targets.
- Experience managing high-value partnerships from prospecting through to stewardship.
- Experience preparing compelling partnership proposals and presentations.
- Strong understanding of corporate fundraising, CSR, ESG, and employee engagement programmes.
- Experience using CRM systems to manage pipelines and reporting.
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Outstanding relationship-building and influencing skills.
- Excellent negotiation and presentation abilities.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify mutually beneficial opportunities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Highly organised with strong project management skills.
- Confident working independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
Essential Knowledge
- Thorough understanding of the charity sector and partnership fundraising.
- Knowledge of fundraising regulations and ethical fundraising principles.
- Understanding of corporate decision-making and partnership development.
Personal Attributes
- Passionate about the Foundation's mission and values.
- Entrepreneurial, proactive, and resilient.
- Results-driven with a focus on achieving measurable impact.
- Creative thinker with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Professional, credible, and confident engaging with senior stakeholders.
- Collaborative and committed to continuous improvement.
Desirable
- An understanding of the rugby ecosystem and existing relationships within the sport.
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising or other relevant professional body.
- Experience working in a newly established fundraising or partnerships function.
- Experience developing multi-year strategic partnerships and securing six-figures.
- Knowledge of impact measurement and social value reporting.
Success Measures
Within the first 12 months, the Partnerships Lead will be expected to:
- Establish a qualified pipeline of prospective corporate partners.
- Secure new partnership income in line with agreed targets.
- Develop a clear partnership strategy and proposition.
- Build strong internal relationships to support partnership delivery.
- Create a sustainable framework for future partnership growth.
Equality and Diversity
- At GPRF we champion diversity and inclusivity in our workforce and values, and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
- We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments candidates may need during the recruitment process and will ask whether you require any during the recruitment process at the application stage.
Reasonable Adjustments
We will endeavour to make any reasonable adjustments that are necessary to support applicants during the recruitment process. Please let us know if you require any of the following adjustments during the recruitment process:
- Extra time during tasks or video applications.
- Assistance if the test or assessment is on a computer, such as closed captions.
- Option to interview without the camera on.
- Sharing interview questions on screen (or on paper if interviewing in person).
- Have an accessible car parking space reserved.
- Hold the interview at a specific time of day (please suggest during the application stage).
- A British Sign Language interpreter.
- Anything else (please describe during the application stage).
Working Conditions
We do not have a central office and our workforce is remote. This role is fully remote; therefore, you must be comfortable working effectively as part of a virtual team.
What We Offer
- A senior standalone role at the heart of a new, high-profile international foundation.
- The opportunity to shape and lead the Foundation’s partnerships from the ground up.
- A dynamic, mission-driven environment with global reach.
- Flexible remote working arrangements.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- 27 days annual leave.
- Pension.
How To Apply
To apply for this role, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining why you wish to join us, the exceptional skills and experience you bring, and the value you can add to our growing organisation to [email protected].
Closing Date – Friday, 21 August 2026
Stage 1 interview date – From Monday, 24 August 2026
Stage 2 interview date – From Monday, 31 August 2026
Job Types: Part-time, Contract
Contract length: 16 months
Pay: £60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Work from home
Experience:
- Partnerships: 5 years (required)
Work Location: Remote
