Role Title: Fan Engagement Associate (Casual/Freelance)
Location: Remote (with occasional in-person meetings in London, UK)
About Think Fan Engagement (TFE)
Think Fan Engagement (TFE) is a consultancy founded by Kevin Rye, a leading authority on the relationship between fans and clubs. We advise club owners, administrators, rights holders, brands, and organisations looking to deepen their understanding of fans and the relationship they have with their clubs. We publish the annual Fan Engagement Index—covering the top four divisions of English men’s football host the Fan Engagement Pod and work with clubs, supporters’ trusts as well as commercial businesses and other organisations. At TFE, we champion a culture of listening: we believe great fan engagement starts with truly understanding supporters.
Role Overview
TFE is seeking a Fan Engagement Associate (Casual/Freelance) to support ad-hoc projects and day-to-day tasks. This role is ideal for someone who is:
- Passionate about exploring new ideas in fan engagement
- Excited by the prospect of helping to build something from the ground up
- Keen to gain exposure to clubs, media contacts, and industry events
As a casual associate, you won’t join a traditional full-time payroll. Instead, you’ll complete discrete assignments—ranging from data research and drafting client-facing materials to supporting live matchday fan-insight activities. Some tasks may receive payment. Even more valuable, however, is the opportunity to tap into Kevin’s network: you’ll be introduced to club contacts, be involved in helping to put together industry workshops, support consulting projects and gain experience in a niche area of fan engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Idea Generation & Research:
- Interrogate and analyse data to identify emerging trends in supporter behaviour
- Help to develop new areas of fan-engagement research and insights (e.g. different sports)
- Client Liaison & Support:
- Assist in drafting succinct briefing documents and slide decks for presentations
- Coordinate with club ticketing, marketing, or community teams to schedule informal “fan focus” conversations
- Content & Data Assistance:
- Help maintain basic spreadsheets tracking engagement metrics (Excel, Google Sheets or other open-source platforms)
- Network-Building & Outreach:
- Identify potential interviewees for guest interviews on the Fan Engagement Pod
- Draft outreach emails or LinkedIn messages to secure brief “expert” interviews
- Workshop/Event Support (Occasional):
- Help to set-up and work at industry-related events
- Take notes, capture quotes, and provide Kevin with raw feedback for analysis
Ideal Candidate Attributes
- Curiosity & Growth Mindset:
- You thrive on exploring new ideas and are hungry to learn about football fans as stakeholders.
- You spot opportunities to innovate rather than merely executing routine tasks.
- Ambitious but with Integrity:
- You’re focused on advancing your own career—building your personal reputation —yet you value integrity and seek to develop relationships based on trust.
- You understand that the best way to grow is by delivering quality work.
- Fan-Engagement Orientation:
- You “get” that fans are a club’s most important stakeholder and believe in a listening-first culture.
- You’re motivated by niche, qualitative insights as much as by data points.
- Communication & Reliability:
- You write clear, concise emails and can distill complex ideas into digestible summaries.
- You meet deadlines and follow through on quick-turnaround assignments, even when juggling other commitments.
- Network Awareness & Outreach Skills:
- You know how to identify and connect with potential club contacts (e.g., community managers, social-media leads).
- You’re comfortable drafting outreach messages or introductory notes.
- Basic Data Aptitude (Preferred):
- Experience using Excel, Google Sheets (or other open-source applications) for simple data aggregation (e.g., fan-survey results) is a plus.
- Comfort handling raw qualitative data—notes, quotes, short transcripts—and summarising key themes.
- Flexibility & Availability:
- You can take on occasional evening or weekend tasks (e.g., a meeting midweek).
- You’re adaptable to shifting priorities and enjoy the hustle of a consultancy environment.
What We Offer
- Payment (in some cases):
- At the end of some assignments, and depending on the budget for the work, you may receive modest sum of money
- Exposure & Networking Opportunities:
- Direct introductions to club administrators, league contacts, and fan-engagement practitioners
- Invitations to select industry roundtables or workshops (virtual or in person)
- Name associated with key research & insights produced by TFE
- Hands-On Experience in a Niche Field:
- Work side-by-side with Kevin Rye, author of the Fan Engagement Index, and gain unique insights into fan engagement
- Build your portfolio: you’ll leave each task with tangible outputs
Compensation & Logistics
- Type: Casual/Freelance (Task-Based)
- Rates: Occasional/variable, based on available budget
- Hours: Ad-hoc; no guaranteed minimum
- Location: Remote-first. Occasional travel to London or other venues may be requested; travel expenses will be reimbursed.
How to Apply
Please send an email to kevin@thinkfanengagement.com with:
- Subject: “Application: Fan-Engagement, Casual Associate– [Your Name]”
- A brief cover note (150–200 words) explaining:
- Why you’re excited by fan engagement
- Your CV/LinkedIn profile (1–2 pages) highlighting any relevant experience (e.g., Public Relations experience, research roles, data work, sports-marketing exposure, freelance writing, or community management).
- Optional: A one-page slide or note summarising a recent fan-engagement trend or idea you found interesting
Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis; early submissions encouraged.
Think Fan Engagement is committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and with diverse experiences. If you have a passion for fan-centric innovation—and a willingness to work on an unstuffy, ideas-driven team—Kevin wants to hear from you.