Director, Sports Business Group

In sport, each move counts. The Deloitte Sports Business Group powers clients at every step, fuelling bold moves that protect and propel the value of sport. We equip our clients with M&A and Advisory knowledge gained while working at the heart of the industry for more than 30 years, across over 40 markets and 40 sports. We deliver expertise spanning Sports M&A, Governance, Regulation, Insights, Fan Engagement, Media Rights, and more so that our clients can build lasting legacies - from grassroots to the global stage.

This advertised role sits within The Sports Business Group's dedicated M&A practice. Driven by the exceptional growth of our sports M&A practice, we are currently looking to expand our team by recruiting an exceptional new colleague at Director level, based in Manchester or London, to join our dedicated Sports M&A practice.

You will have a strong track record in your career to date and share our excitement about working on high-profile sports transactions, in an increasingly high-profile and competitive industry. We are looking for candidates with relevant experience of leading on M&A projects in the sports industry.

The successful candidate will have responsibility for leading, and delivering, the Group's projects in the sports M&A market. This will include working across our truly end-to-end sports M&A offering, which encompasses M&A strategy, lead M&A advisory (corporate finance), transaction due diligence and post-transaction support services.

You will advise purchasers and vendors on prospective investments and divestments of sports-related businesses (e.g. sports teams, leagues, international sports federations, media rights agencies, service providers to the sports market etc.). As a Director, you will have the opportunity to lead and deliver some of the most impactful projects in the sports industry.

• Focus on the sports M&A market, developing expert knowledge of the business side of sports.
• Work effectively in diverse teams within an inclusive team culture where people are recognised for their contribution.
• Lead M&A engagements, including but not limited to: lead corporate finance advisory (buy-side and sell-side), M&A strategy, due diligence and valuations for clients acquiring and/or divesting high-profile sports assets around the world.
• Lead and manage project teams to deliver an impact that matters for our clients.
• Be comfortable working to deal-related deadlines, adding value on high-profile projects.
• Deliver sports business, finance and commercial analysis.
• Lead and manage client relationships as part of project delivery.
• Lead business development activities, leading client pitches, coordinating preparation of discussion materials, responding to requests for proposal, lead and maintain client relationships, perform independent industry research for both deal origination and transaction analysis.
• Coach and develop other more junior team members to become high-performing consultants within the Sports Business Group.
• Support the Group’s maintenance of its market-leading knowledge and insights function, including managing key databases (i.e. the Sports Business Group’s sports transactions database).
• Collaborate with colleagues in producing the Group’s key publications (Annual Review of Football Finance and Deloitte Football Money League), in addition to other thought leadership to enhance the Group’s eminence, led by our knowledge & insights function.

Essential skills and experience:

• Relevant corporate finance advisory experience at a leading professional services firm, investment bank or boutique.
• Experience of having originated and/or sold corporate finance projects to new clients, preferably in the sports or sports adjacency industries.
• Experience of leading and managing corporate finance advice on sports-related transactions specifically.
• Proven interest in, and understanding of, the sports business market, with a particular focus on the topic of investment in sport.
• Experience of transaction due diligence and valuations.
• Qualified accountant or other relevant professional qualification (CFA, MBA or equivalent).
• Experience of leading, and delivering, corporate finance engagements.
• Experience of leading project teams and developing junior colleagues.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to connect high-level strategic thinking to the micro details of a company's financial information.
• A focus on client service, with ability to work quickly and establish effective working relationships.
• Strong financial, analytical skills and numeracy skills with keen attention to detail and the ability to absorb and analyse large amounts of data.
• Appropriate FCA certification.
• A broader perspective of potential issues encountered when managing/working in diverse teams and strategies to overcome them.
• A clear understanding of the firm’s commitment to creating a more inclusive culture.

We take personal development seriously, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities with a highly supportive environment. Our appraisal process is structured, transparent and interactive – you will receive continuous training and ongoing supportive feedback to achieve goals that you set yourself. You will be a part of an environment where excellent client service, hard work, ambition and enthusiasm will be recognised.

A committed, flexible and team-oriented working style is essential, along with the ambition to develop and grow as part of a driven and collaborative team.

In an ever-evolving world, there are no certainties in business. Our teams help clients to navigate risks, process major transactions and deliver transformational change that will future-proof their business.

Join us to make a positive difference.