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SARAH PORTER - MBA

Training & Programme Delivery | Marketing & Partnerships | Event Coordination | Project Management

  • UK / France (dual base - available to relocate within the UK) | Driving Licence
  • +33 6 87 88 92 57

    PROFILE

    Partnerships and international marketing professional with experience building collaborations across sport, education and international organisations. I enjoy working with people, building relationships and bringing ideas to life through events and partnerships.

    Skilled in coordinating projects, events and training programmes from planning through to delivery, working across multiple stakeholders and workstreams.

    Building experience within the sports industry via partnership and stakeholder work with Fair Game UK and FC Palm City, while further developing expertise in sports marketing, sponsorship and fan engagement through programmes with Barça Innovation Hub and the Work in Football Programme.

    British, with a dual UK–France base, internationally mobile and open to relocation.

    KEY SKILLS

    Customer Experience & Stakeholder Engagement: Delivering high-quality experiences in fast-paced environments | Building rapport with diverse audiences across cultures, age groups and professional backgrounds | Strong people-focused approach developed through hospitality, events and teaching

    Communication & Presentation: Excellent written and verbal communication | Confident public speaker delivering lectures, workshops and presentations | Ability to translate complex ideas into clear, engaging messages

    Event & Operations Coordination: Coordinating conferences, workshops and international programmes | Managing logistics, schedules and documentation across multiple workstreams | Supporting delivery in fast-paced environments

    Partnership Development: Identifying potential sponsors and strategic partners | Building relationships across the football ecosystem | Supporting partnership outreach and collaboration initiatives | Coordinating projects with international stakeholders

    Commercial, Marketing & Fan Engagement: International marketing lecturer | Brand engagement and audience storytelling | Insight into global fan cultures through match attendance across the UK and Europe

    Sports Industry Engagement: Active involvement in the football ecosystem through Fair Game UK partnership work | Participant in the GIS Global Sports Summit | Ongoing sports marketing and sponsorship training through Barça Innovation Hub

    Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Marketing strategy and business model insight | Blue Ocean Strategy | Translating strategic objectives into practical actions | Analytical and solution-focused approach

    PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

    Commercial Partnerships Consultant
    February 2026Present

    FC PALM CITY - DUBAI (REMOTE)

    • Identifying and prospecting target sponsors, including sports manufacturers, to support the club’s early commercial development
    • Leading outreach to potential partners, initiating conversations and exploring opportunities across merchandise, e-commerce and brand collaborations
    Partnerships & Engagement Project Manager (Voluntary)
    January 2026Present

    FAIR GAME UK (REMOTE)

    • Working closely with the senior management team to support commercial planning and partnership development.
    • Developed sponsorship propositions and identified potential partners to support revenue growth.
    • Mapped and engaged stakeholders across the football ecosystem, including clubs, supporter trusts, NGOs and academic institutions.
    • Coordinated planning for the Annual Conference, including speaker outreach, workshop development and event logistics
    • Recruited and briefed volunteers, supporting smooth on-the-day event operations.
    International Project Manager / Teacher
    20212024

    ECAM LASALLE - LYON, FRANCE

    • Managed international short programmes and projects, coordinating marketing, communication and operational delivery.
    • Developed strategic partnerships across Southeast Asia, working with Thai universities and the Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce to expand ECAM LaSalle’s visibility and engagement in the region.
    • Designed and launched ECAM LaSalle’s inaugural international engineering workshops, creating a hands-on, 2-week programme across different locations bringing together students and academics from Europe and Southeast Asia.
    • The initiative led to semester-abroad programmes, research collaborations and internship opportunities, expanding the school’s international network and visibility across Southeast Asia.
    Freelance Lecturer & Consultant – International Marketing, Business Strategy & Communication
    20142025

    LYON, FRANCE

    • Designed and delivered strategy, international marketing, new business models and negotiation programmes using the Harvard case-based learning method to explore real-life business problems across different industries.
    • Applied frameworks such as Blue Ocean Strategy and competitive positioning to analyse market opportunities and organisational growth strategies.
    • Mentored student teams and assessed projects, dissertations and internship presentations.

    Institutions: CEFAM, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, ESAM, IDRAC Business School, ESDES, ECAM LASALLE

    Senior Business Communication Trainer
    20092014

    YES N YOU - LYON, FRANCE

    • Designed and delivered communication and professional skills training for multinational organisations including BASF, Renault Trucks, AXA, Air Liquide and Orange Business Services.
    • Recruited, trained and mentored instructors, ensuring consistent programme delivery across international teams.
    Corporate English & Business Skills Trainer
    20062008

    DEMOS - LYON, FRANCE

    Hospitality, Bar & Events Experience
    20012006

    VARIOUS - UK & FRANCE

    Retail Sales Assistant
    19992003

    WAREHOUSE - NORTHAMPTON & BIRMINGHAM STORES

    FOOTBALL INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT

    • Work in Sport Career Development Programme – Mentored by a Senior Executive, Partnerships at Liverpool F.C.
    • GIS Global Sports Summit (2025) – Industry exposure through venue visits and engagement with professionals from The Football Association, Chelsea F.C., West Ham United F.C. and the Premier League
    • Women’s Sport Collective – Active member supporting initiatives promoting growth and leadership in women’s sport
    • Liverpool FC Supporters Clubs (UK & France) – Active member

    EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Barça Innovation Hub, Online
    November 2025Ongoing

    Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, Sponsorship & Communication in Sports

    Focus on digital strategy, fan engagement, sponsorship activation, and content creation within the global sports industry.

    International Management Teachers Academy (IMTA), Slovenia
    June 2019

    Intensive 2-week programme focused on leadership, change management and Harvard case-based teaching.

    IDRAC Business School, France
    20152016

    Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Business Model Innovation

    Thesis: The Community Effect – How to Create Value from Online Communities

    University of Birmingham, UK
    20012005

    Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) International Business

    Erasmus Year: Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 - SELF Program     Specialisation: International Marketing