Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
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Will D'Hooghe

Gedling,Nottinghamshire

Summary

Head of Fan Engagement and a high achieving, motivated and focused individual with vast experience working in professional football. I have experience in partnerships, marketing, events management, line management, fan engagement, media and broadcasting relations, and journalism. I am confident in communicating with internal stakeholders ranging from board-level, to senior management and players, as well as managing relationships with senior decision makers at both governing bodies and club commercial partners. I am familiar with the fast-paced nature and business hours of the football industry.

Overview

3
3
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Head of Fan Engagement

Nottingham Forest Football Club
West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
04.2024 - Current
  • Oversee the club's relationship management and growth strategy with international and domestic supporter groups
  • Responsible for the club's relationship management with former players and celebrity/influencer supporters
  • Lead the club's approach to the Premier League Fan Engagement Standard and management of the Fan Advisory Board, consulting key supporter groups on a range of topics and issues related to the club's operations and fan experience.
  • Delivered the club's first two overseas fan activation events as part of the Premier League Mornings Live events in Orlando (2023) and Chicago (2024)
  • Created and manage the Nottingham Forest Museum, and Stadium Tour experience, leading a team of 8 Stadium Tour Guides
  • Delivery of best in class fan activation and engagement initiatives including Warriors United Press Conference with Nuno Espirito Santo and Taku from Tokyo's first Forest match.
  • A key role in the delivery of marketing campaigns including home, away and third kit launches, as well as the Adidas Spezial collaboration.
  • Nurturing relationships with key club and Premier League partners including Adidas, Eon, Panini and EA Sports.

Marketing & Fan Engagement Manager

Nottingham Forest Football Club
West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
08.2022 - 04.2024

• Lead on all club Marketing campaigns across Retail, Ticketing and Commercial. I produced and delivered our Kit Launch promotion film that led to record kit sales and gained over 3M views across social media within 48 hours

• Managing all Partnership Marketing activation with both Club and Premier League Partners including but not limited to EA Sports, Panini, Barclays and Budweiser

• Managing the relationships with all Domestic and International Supporters Groups. In January 2023, I delivered our first international fan engagement activation when we attended the Premier League Mornings Live Event in Orlando

• Delivering the clubs first season card consultation process with the Nottingham Forest Supporters Trust ahead of the 2023-24 season

Marketing & Partnerships Manager

Nottingham Forest Football Club
West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
11.2021 - 08.2022

• Leading on all club Marketing campaigns across Retail, Ticketing and Commercial

• Day to Day account management of all club commercial partners working with them on all matters including partnership marketing, player appearance requests and ticketing and hospitality allocations.

• Delivered the first Nottingham Forest Golf Day since 2016 for commercial partners and hospitality members

• Led on large scale event management such as Training Ground Experiences and Christmas Networking Lunches for commercial partners

• Regular Matchday Programme contributor with a series called 'One of our own' in which I interviewed famous Forest fans including Lee Westwood and Stuart Broad.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - International Relations & Global Studies

Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham
09.2015 - 07.2018

Skills

  • Vast experience working with senior executives and professional footballers, celebrity fans, and international partners
  • Experience delivering marketing campaigns and fan activation events
  • Experience delivering overseas events
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

Affiliations

  • I am a keen sportsman who plays football, golf, and cricket competitively. I also enjoy hiking, travelling, live music and spending time with my family and friends.

Timeline

Head of Fan Engagement

Nottingham Forest Football Club
04.2024 - Current

Marketing & Fan Engagement Manager

Nottingham Forest Football Club
08.2022 - 04.2024

Marketing & Partnerships Manager

Nottingham Forest Football Club
11.2021 - 08.2022

Bachelor of Arts - International Relations & Global Studies

Nottingham Trent University
09.2015 - 07.2018
Will D'Hooghe