Rapha launched in 2004 to redefine cycling apparel. Today, progressive design and storytelling has built a global movement.
We want to make cycling the most important sport in the world, by transforming the lives of millions, and we’re on a mission to create the world’s greatest club through the Rapha Cycling Club (RCC).
The Senior Partnerships Manager is a leadership role engineered to contribute to this mission by defining and delivering a globally coherent partnership strategy that strengthens Rapha’s position in cycling and drives measurable brand heat and commercial growth.
THE ROLE
This is a senior, commercially accountable leadership role for someone who can build and manage partnerships that both grow the business and elevate the brand.
You will own a portfolio that spans athlete representation, brand collaborations, and commercial partnerships, with full responsibility for channel leadership, contract negotiation and financial delivery.
Youll be joining at a pivotal moment for Rapha, with real scope to shape how we approach partnerships strategically. This isn’t a relationship management role, it’s a business and brand building one.
KEY AREAS OF OWNERSHIP
Athlete Management
End-to-end athlete relationships, from recruitment through to contract and activation.
Brand Collaborations
Culturally resonant co‑creation with tech, fashion, art, design, and lifestyle partners.
Commercial Growth
Profit & Loss ownership, deal structuring, and financial delivery across the portfolio.
WHAT YOULL DELIVER
Athlete Partnerships
* Lead the end‑to‑end athlete partnership programme – from identification and recruitment through contract execution, relationship management, and renewal.
* Build deep, long‑term ambassador relationships: understanding what athletes need, what they stand for, and how to unlock authentic content and advocacy.
* Negotiate athlete contracts, usage rights, exclusivity clauses, and performance incentives, working closely with legal and finance.
* Collaborate with Creative and Social teams to develop athlete content that serves both brand and commercial objectives.
* Establish clear KPIs for the athlete roster and hold the programme accountable to performance, engagement, and ROI.
Brand Collaborations
* Identify, pitch, and develop brand collaboration opportunities across tech, fashion, art, design, lifestyle, and culture – with a bias towards unexpected, creatively substantive partnerships that draw in new customers.
* Manage collaborations from initial concept through contract, creative development, production, launch, and post‑campaign evaluation.
* Work with the Creative leadership to ensure co‑branded output meets brand standards and tells a coherent story across both partners.
* Cultivate an active pipeline of collaboration prospects, maintaining relationships well before a project is on the table.
* Track and report on collaboration performance – media value, audience reach, sales uplift, and brand perception impact.
Commercial Partnerships & Financial Growth
* Own the commercial partnerships P&L: setting revenue targets, managing budgets, and delivering measurable financial growth through the portfolio.
* Structure and negotiate partnership deals with commercial rigour – licensing agreements, co‑marketing arrangements, exclusivity windows, tiered fee structures, and performance‑linked terms.
* Identify upsell and extension opportunities within the existing partner base, maximising long‑term commercial value from established relationships.
* Build the business case for new partnership investments, presenting clearly to senior leadership with financial modelling and strategic rationale.
* Work cross‑functionally with Finance, Legal, and Commercial teams to ensure deals are structured, contracted, and delivered to plan.
Cross‑Functional Leadership
* Work collaboratively across stakeholder and contributing teams to get the best results and drive clear owner accountability.
* Comfortable operating hands‑on within a lean team structure.
* Set the standard for how the teams work together: pace, rigour, relationship quality, and creative ambition.
* Build team capability within Brand Marketing in commercial negotiation, relationship management, and cross‑functional collaboration.
* Represent the partnerships function at senior leadership level, contributing to broader brand and commercial strategy.
HOW YOULL BE MEASURED
* Brand impact of partnerships (awareness, earned media quality, cultural relevance).
* Commercial performance of partnership‑led initiatives (traffic, revenue, sell‑through, partner contribution).
* Activation excellence (on‑time, on‑budget delivery across XF teams).
* Strength and quality of forward partnership pipeline (12–36 month horizon).
WHAT YOULL BRING
* 8+ years of experience in partnerships, commercial development, or brand roles – ideally spanning both sport/athlete and brand collaboration contexts.
* A demonstrable track record of negotiating and closing complex commercial agreements, with evidence of financial delivery against targets.
* Experience managing athlete or talent relationships, with a deep understanding of the sensitivities and opportunities involved.
* Strong commercial acumen: you can build a business case, read a deal structure, assess risk, and negotiate confidently from a position of knowledge.
* Experience leading and developing a partnerships team, with a coaching mindset and high expectations of yourself and others.
* An existing network across sport, fashion, creative, and media – you know the right people and they know you.
* Excellent written and verbal communication; able to represent the brand externally with authority and warmth.
* Genuine passion for the brands world – sport, craft, culture, and the communities where they intersect.
Working at Rapha
We are continuously looking into ways to invest in our employees and build a better working culture and environment. Here are just some of the internal benefits we offer:
* Flexible working hours
* Support for ad‑hoc remote working during the week – minimum 4 days in office
* 25 days annual leave
* 2 additional days paid time off to participate in a sportive or similar related cycling event
* A flexible riding benefit to allow you to go out riding on a Wednesday morning with colleagues or learn to cycle through our Getting Started Scheme
* An annual clothing allowance of £1,200 for testing and promotional purpose
* A company bonus scheme
* A health cash plan provided by Healthshield worth up to £1405 per year
* Mental health support with MyndUp
* Free barista coffee and social drinks in the office
* Monthly department social events and quarterly office social away days
* Bike racing expenses up to £35 per race entry
* A 50% staff discount and a discount for family and friends
* Industry discounts on brands such as Patagonia, Osprey, Finisterre, Wahoo
* Free membership to the Rapha Cycling Club
* Cycle2Work scheme
* Company Pension Scheme
* Enhanced Parental Leave and Pay
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