Sponsorship Graduate Programme

Graduate Sponsorship Programme at Sage where you'll support sports sponsorship activation, marketing campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and commercial partnerships through the company's EFL sponsorship.

At Sage, innovation starts with our people. With over 13,000 colleagues across 40 locations worldwide, supporting over 2 million customers, we’re united by a shared purpose: to transform the way millions of businesses work. As a global leader in AI, finance and HR software, we harness cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking ideas to simplify complexity and drive progress.

At Sage, you’ll join a high achieving culture that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Together, we’re shaping the future of business software. Start your career with Sage in the UK and make an impact from day one. Our ethos is simple: to help businesses thrive so they can support their communities and drive economic progress.

At Sage, you’ll find a high performing environment where your ideas matter, your growth is encouraged, and your work will add value from day one. Start your journey with us and help shape the future of business across the UK and beyond.

Why join Sage as a graduate?
At Sage, we believe your career should start with opportunity, growth, and purpose. As a graduate, you’ll benefit from structured training and development programs designed to build your skills and confidence from day one. You’ll also have access to Sage Foundation, our global initiative that gives you five paid volunteer days each year to make a positive impact in your community.

You’ll join exceptional teams where you will have the chance to learn from experts, connect with peers, and grow a global professional network. At Sage, we’re committed to helping you shape your future, offering clear career pathways and opportunities to innovate and make a real difference.Key ResponsibilitiesWhat will you be involved in?

Our Graduate Sponsorship Programme is designed for graduates who are passionate about marketing and partnerships, and curious about how sponsorship drives business growth. You will join Sage’s UK Sponsorship team in a broad role sitting across all aspects of our EFL sponsorship activation: an opportunity to learn how sponsorship contributes to the commercial outcomes of the business, as well as gain an understanding of the fundamentals of sports sponsorship and working with a major rights holder. You will be supported by a dedicated manager throughout the programme.

During your time on the programme, you will be involved in:
• Taking ownership of key workstreams in the EFL activation, such as internal communications and engagement activities
• Overseeing the day-to-day running of the sponsorship function, including budget management and fulfilling merchandise requests
• Closely shadowing external partners, including agencies and the rights holder, to understand the dynamics and delivery mechanics of sponsorship
• Working with production and performance management teams to ensure that activations are delivered on time and linked to outcomes
• Supporting reporting and measurement of sponsorship activities
• Assisting with event planning, campaign execution and stakeholder engagement
• Helping ensure sponsorship activity is aligned to commercial and brand objectives

This programme is designed to give you meaningful, hands-on experience from day one, with structured onboarding, regular coaching and feedback, ongoing mentorship from an experienced sponsorship professional, a personalised development plan, and the support and space to learn, ask questions and grow.

By the end of the programme, you will have built experience delivering real sponsorship activations and campaigns, developed project management, stakeholder engagement and commercial marketing skills, and gained a strong understanding of how sponsorship contributes to business objectives and brand reputation.

What we’re looking for:
To be eligible for this role, you’ll need to hold a degree in Marketing, Communications, PR or Media Studies. Previous sponsorship experience is not required. Relevant experience from education, placements, volunteering, societies, sporting organisations or part-time work is beneficial, but enthusiasm, initiative and potential are most important.

• A curious mindset and eagerness to learn
• A genuine passion for sport, marketing and sponsorship
• An organised, detail-oriented approach, comfortable working across multiple projects and deadlines
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A proactive attitude and willingness to take ownership of tasks
• A collaborative, team-oriented working style
• Confidence interacting with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• An interest in understanding how sponsorship delivers commercial value

Benefits of working at Sage include:
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays from day one
• Paid time to learn (5 learning days a year)
• Paid time to give back (5 volunteering days a year)
• Private healthcare, digital GP & wellbeing support
• Competitive pension with Sage contributions
• Paid parental leave, inclusive from day one
• Work from abroad for up to 10 weeks a year
• Discounts on tech, travel, gyms and more
• Cycle to Work and EV schemes