POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Partnerships will lead the strategic development and execution of Rwanda’s global partnerships and sponsorship portfolio. This role is responsible for setting the overall direction of the partnerships function, ensuring best-in-class activations, and maximizing value from each partner relationship.

The successful candidate will oversee a high-performing, multidisciplinary team across multiple verticals, manage external agencies, and ensure strong alignment with broader national objectives. This role is instrumental in positioning Rwanda as a world-class partner and a thought leader within the global sponsorship ecosystem.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Partnership Portfolio Execution and Team Leadership

• Oversee the implementation of partnership strategies across all active sponsorships
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans and team priorities
• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of Partnership Managers, Specialists, and Analysts
• Conduct regular planning sessions, performance reviews, and execution check-ins
• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement

2. Senior Relationship Management

• Serve as a senior point of contact for rights holders, agency partners, and government stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key external partners
• Represent Rwanda at major sponsorship events, activations, and strategic engagements
• Proactively manage stakeholder expectations and resolve high-level issues

3. Agency Coordination and Resource Oversight

• Oversee and coordinate the work of external agencies, activation partners, and content producers
• Review scopes of work, timelines, and budgets to ensure delivery excellence
• Ensure all external outputs align with Rwanda’s brand guidelines and messaging standards
• Maintain high standards of service delivery and accountability across all partners

4. Partnership Impact and Reporting

• Oversee the development of monthly partnership reports and executive updates
• Monitor partnership performance against key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies where necessary
• Coordinate inputs from internal teams and external partners to ensure accurate and timely reporting

REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be Rwandan nationals
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field; a Master’s degree is an added advantage
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a senior sponsorship, partnerships, or commercial leadership role, ideally within sports, entertainment, or tourism sectors
• Proven track record in managing large-scale partnerships across multiple markets with measurable impact
• Strong leadership experience, including team building, coaching, and performance management
• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders
• Deep understanding of sponsorship activation, brand alignment, and performance measurement
• Experience working with external agencies and cross-functional teams
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and cultural sensitivity
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and lead during live events
• Willingness to travel internationally and work flexible hours as required
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Kinyarwanda, French, or Spanish is an added advantage
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools

• Oversee the implementation of partnership strategies across all active sponsorships
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational plans and team priorities
• Lead, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of Partnership Managers, Specialists, and Analysts
• Conduct regular planning sessions, performance reviews, and execution check-ins
• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Serve as a senior point of contact for rights holders, agency partners, and government stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key external partners
• Represent Rwanda at major sponsorship events, activations, and strategic engagements
• Proactively manage stakeholder expectations and resolve high-level issues
• Oversee and coordinate the work of external agencies, activation partners, and content producers
• Review scopes of work, timelines, and budgets to ensure delivery excellence
• Ensure all external outputs align with Rwanda’s brand guidelines and messaging standards
• Maintain high standards of service delivery and accountability across all partners
• Oversee the development of monthly partnership reports and executive updates
• Monitor partnership performance against key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies where necessary
• Coordinate inputs from internal teams and external partners to ensure accurate and timely reporting

• Strong leadership experience, including team building, coaching, and performance management
• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders
• Deep understanding of sponsorship activation, brand alignment, and performance measurement
• Experience working with external agencies and cross-functional teams
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and cultural sensitivity
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and lead during live events
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools

• Applicants must be Rwandan nationals
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field; a Master’s degree is an added advantage
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in a senior sponsorship, partnerships, or commercial leadership role, ideally within sports, entertainment, or tourism sectors
• Proven track record in managing large-scale partnerships across multiple markets with measurable impact
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Kinyarwanda, French, or Spanish is an added advantage