Are you a strategic and commercially minded leader with a genuine passion for strength sports? We are looking for a Partnerships Director to join the SBD Apparel senior leadership team and play a vital role in shaping the future of our brand and the sports we support.
At SBD Apparel, we have established a world‑leading brand by designing and manufacturing market‑leading products in our state‑of‑the‑art facility in Sheffield. We play an integral role in the growth of the strength sports community, acting as an official partner to the International Powerlifting Federation, the title sponsor of World's Strongest Man, and the official partner to the International Weightlifting Federation.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This role will involve leading our strategy for building strong, productive partnerships with athletes, federations, and events across the globe. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will develop and oversee our investments in strength sports, ensuring that SBD continues to support the next generation of growth in strength sports.
* Lead on our communications strategy with federations and athletes to build strong, productive partnerships
* Develop proposals for our sponsorship programmes so that they evolve with the growth and evolution of the sport
* Oversee our attendance at domestic and international events across strength sports
* Monitor, own, and justify our annual budget for sponsorship programmes, including the allocations across categories, and ensure specific agreements deliver acceptable ROIs
* Join the senior leadership team to report on the performance of our partnerships and challenge the wider business to deliver on our objectives
* Collaborate with departments across the business to ensure the successful and timely delivery of the objectives of the department
* Coach, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of direct reports to support with the successful execution of brand initiatives.
THE SKILLS
We encourage you to apply if you are someone who can:
Demonstrate experience of:
* Managing and developing long‑term relationships with internal and external stakeholders
* Developing, implementing, and executing long‑term plans
* Setting, challenging, and working to budgets
* Reviewing and amending legal contracts
* Offering strategic insight to support a senior leadership team
Alongside the following skills:
* Genuine interest in strength sports
* Strategic and commercially minded
* Strong and supportive leadership style
* Willingness to travel internationally
* Excellent written and verbal communication
Desirable:
* Experience managing international relationships
* Working with athletes and/or sports federations
* A training or competitive history in a strength sport
THE COMPANY
SBD is a global sportswear brand, designing and manufacturing market‑leading performance products for strength sports. Our team is proud to craft all our products in the United Kingdom, with the majority fully manufactured at our headquarters on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Rotherham. Our commitment to quality has seen our products become the standard among strength athletes in gyms across the world, including those competing in the World’s Strongest Man and the IPF World Powerlifting Championships.
2022 Business of the Year for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
2022 Business of the Year for the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce
2023 Winner Outstanding Contribution to Employee Health & Wellbeing for the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce
2024 Manufacturer of the Year (under £25m) Made in Sheffield Awards
2024 Kings Award for Enterprise
2024 ‘Be Well at Work’ Gold
THE BENEFITS
* New SBD Headquarters – Join us in our state‑of‑the‑art building. A dynamic space designed for innovation, collaboration and sustainable growth
* Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch – Enjoy a delicious selection of food served fresh daily so you can save time & money and focus on your best work
* Casual Dress Code – Allowing you to work comfortably and be yourself!
* Free Onsite Parking – Priority spaces go to those who car share too
* Performance Related Bonus – Directly linking the success of SBD to your earnings
* 33 Days’ Holiday including Bank Holidays – Providing flexibility for your personal life and well – deserved breaks
* Employee Assistance Programme – Your wellbeing matters to us, so our EAP provides a wealth of resources and professional support for any of life's challenges
* 40% Staff Discount – Letting you experience our quality firsthand for less
* Strength Sports Event Tickets – Help us to celebrate the power and dedication we admire across the disciplines, live!
* Employee Referral Scheme – Get rewarded handsomely through our generous employee referral scheme when you help us find more great talent
SALARY: £60,000 - £80,000 dependent on experience
HOURS: 40 hours per week
LOCATION: Unit 2b Lanchester Way, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Waverley, S60 5FX
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 12pm Friday 14th November 2025
To learn more about this exciting opportunity please follow the link to our candidate pack: http://sbdapparel.com/partnerships
We welcome applications from both internal and external candidates.
If you want to know more or wish to discuss anything in more detail, please contact hr@sbdapparel.com to arrange a phone call with Sophie Robinson, Director of People.
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our people, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. We are also dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of their background, beliefs, or any other protected characteristic.
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