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- Tasks: Lead strategic revenue growth and develop partnerships in the global sports industry.
- Company: Leaders Group, a dynamic player in B2B media and events.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commission structure, enhanced leave policies, and gym membership.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the sports industry while driving innovative business strategies.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in business development with a proven track record in high-value partnerships.
- Other info: Opportunity for global travel and mentorship in a collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Leaders Group are seeking a high-impact Head of Business Development to lead strategic revenue growth across our global B2B media and events portfolio. This executive will own a $2M–$3M+ annual book of business, drive net-new revenue, and expand our global footprint by developing partnerships with leading brands, agencies, technology companies, rights holders, and major stakeholders across the sports industry.
The ideal candidate is a hunter with a proven record of closing complex, multi-year deals across media partnerships, integrated content programs, premium B2B event sponsorships, thought leadership, and multi-platform marketing partnerships. The role requires strong comfort in a paywalled media environment, deep understanding of the global sports ecosystem, and fluency in shaping editorially aligned commercial opportunities. Due to the global nature of this role, the best-fit candidate will have international contacts in and knowledge of the global sports industry.
Key Responsibilities- Own and grow a $2M–$3M+ annual book of business, delivering consistent net-new revenue growth as well as company critical renewals.
- Identify, prospect, and close new business with brands, sports properties, agencies, tech companies, and global enterprise partners.
- Develop integrated commercial solutions across paywalled media, custom content, digital, newsletters, podcasts, research, and B2B events.
- Build long-term revenue strategies aligned with company priorities and market demand.
- Be a brand and premium representative for Leaders Group commercial strategy with the most influential and senior executives in the worldwide sports industry.
- Maintain and grow various international sports markets through creative, comprehensive sponsorships, particularly in the Middle East.
- Lead development and negotiation of high-value media partnerships and global sponsorship agreements, including Leaders Group flagship events Leaders Week London and World Congress of Sport.
- Grow sponsorship revenue across summits, conferences, awards programs, forums, and custom event platforms.
- Manage senior-level relationships with C-suite and commercial leaders across the global sports business landscape.
- Ensure exceptional client service to drive retention, upsell, and multi-year renewals.
- Develop frameworks for opportunity prioritization and partnership qualification.
- Stay ahead of global sports trends—media, technology, venues, teams, leagues, investment—to inform partnership and overall company commercial strategy.
- Partner cross-functionally with Editorial, Events, Audience Development, Marketing, and Product teams to build differentiated, category-leading offerings.
- Deliver market intelligence, pipeline insights, forecasting, and revenue projections to the CRO and senior leadership.
- Responsible for accurate forecasting both short and long term.
- Mentor junior commercial talent as the team expands, providing coaching on enterprise dealmaking and consultative sales.
- Be a key voice on the commercial leadership team to support the development of the sales team through coaching and mentorship.
- Represent the brand at major global industry events, panels, meetings, and partner gatherings.
- Competitive executive base salary
- Commission and performance-based incentive structure
- Global travel as business requires
- 10–15+ years of business development, strategic partnerships, commercial strategy, or enterprise sales experience.
- Proven success owning and growing a $2M–$3M+ book of business, with a strong hunter mindset and demonstrated overachievement.
- Experience selling media partnerships, integrated content programs, and B2B event sponsorships, ideally in a subscription-based or paywalled media environment.
- Strong international experience and familiarity with global sports business decision-makers, ecosystems, and commercial structures.
- Demonstrated ability to frame, negotiate, and close complex high-value partnership packages.
- Excellent communication, proposal development, and storytelling skills.
- Strategic, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative mindset.
Enhanced family leave policies, pension scheme, Simply Health membership, access to gym membership, cycle to work scheme, 26 days annual leave + half a day for your birthday + additional day for every 2 years' service, interest free season ticket loan.
Head of Business Development employer: Leaders in Sport
Contact Detail:
Leaders in Sport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend events, and engage on social media. The more people you know in the sports business, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your past successes in driving revenue and closing deals. Use specific numbers to back up your claims – it makes a huge impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out to companies you admire, like Leaders Group, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on global sports trends and market insights. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also position you as a valuable asset to any team. Plus, we’ve got loads of resources on our website to help you out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Hunter Mindset: Make sure to highlight your experience in closing complex deals and driving revenue growth. We want to see that you’re not just a passive player but someone who actively seeks out new opportunities and partnerships.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter. Take the time to tailor your application to reflect how your skills and experiences align with our needs in the global sports industry. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leaders in Sport
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with your past achievements, especially those related to revenue growth. Be ready to discuss specific figures, like how you managed a $2M–$3M book of business and the strategies you used to achieve consistent net-new revenue.
✨Research the Sports Ecosystem
Dive deep into the global sports industry landscape. Understand current trends, key players, and potential partnership opportunities. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their commercial strategy.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about complex deals you've closed in the past and be ready to explain your thought process, negotiation tactics, and how you overcame challenges.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working cross-functionally, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with different teams in the past. Highlight examples where your teamwork led to successful outcomes, particularly in developing integrated commercial solutions.
