Description:
As a growing team, Partnerships play a central role in Runna's mission to expand globally through impactful collaborations. We work with leading fitness brands, global tech platforms, and major race organisers to bring Runna to new audiences across the UK and EMEA. With partnerships established as one of our key growth drivers, the team is focused on scaling our reach, building meaningful relationships, and delivering value for both our partners and our community.
What You'll Be Doing
We're seeking an experienced, strategic, and driven leader to own and scale our UK + EMEA partnership channel. - one of Runna's most important growth areas. Based in London (3 days per week in-office), you'll be responsible for setting the strategy, growing the team, and driving commercial success across the region.
- Develop and Execute the UK + EMEA Partnerships Strategy
- Shape and drive the UK & EMEA partnerships strategy in alignment with Runna's global growth ambitions
- Work closely with the global teams to ensure a consistent, impactful approach across regions
- Identify and target key UK/European partners across events, fitness brands, and tech companies
- Collaborate cross-functionally (events, social, product) to integrate partnerships into key races and digital campaigns
- Win New Partnerships and Maximise Existing Relationships
- Secure new, high-value UK partnerships with fitness brands, events, and tech companies
- Manage existing relationships with excellence, ensuring our current partners (e.g., Lululemon, Motiv US, major race partners) feel supported and engaged
- Lead commercial negotiations, delivering maximum ROI and long-term value
- Be the key escalation point for UK partners, ensuring flawless delivery of partnership activations
- Lead and Scale the UK + EMEA Partnerships Team
- Manage, mentor, and grow a high-performing UK partnerships team (currently 3 team members)
- Set clear strategy, structure, and targets for the team as we move to a more verticalised model
- Act as a hiring manager, building out the team as we scale further
- Maintain very high standards across delivery, reporting, and partner satisfaction
- Serve as a culture carrier, bringing energy, empathy, and excellence to the team
Requirements
What You'll Bring To The Team:
- 5+ years of partnerships experience in a commercial role
- Proven track record managing external/internal stakeholders at a senior level
- Experience winning, growing, and delivering high-value partnerships
- Experience managing and scaling a team (must have led 2+ people previously)
- Strong commercial acumen with confidence leading negotiations and owning P&L
- Skilled in CRM systems, asset tracking, and data analysis (Google Sheets/Excel)
- A hands-on leader who gets things done - you're both strategic and operational
- Highly organised, efficient, and able to juggle multiple priorities
- A strong communicator who can build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders