Global Head of Business Development in London
Global Head of Business Development

Global Head of Business Development in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Leaders in Sport

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global business development and drive revenue growth in the sports industry.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team transforming sports business solutions with innovative technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, commission structure, enhanced leave policies, and gym membership.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of sports media and build impactful partnerships worldwide.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in business development with a proven track record in media partnerships.
  • Other info: Opportunity for global travel and mentorship in a collaborative environment.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

About Leaders Group: Leaders Group delivers high-quality news, events, and innovative solutions to the sports business industry. We are a nimble, growing team passionate about leveraging technology to transform how sports business solutions are delivered. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and enjoy shaping the future of digital products, this is the place for you.

Leaders Group is 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.
Partnership Development
  • 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.
Market & Strategic Insight
  • 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.
Leadership & Collaboration
  • 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.
Compensation
  • Competitive executive base salary
  • Commission and performance-based incentive structure
  • Global travel as business requires

This role can be based either in the UK or US.

Requirements
  • 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.
Benefits
  • 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

Global Head of Business Development in London employer: Leaders in Sport

Leaders Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, perfect for those passionate about the sports business industry. With competitive compensation, enhanced family leave policies, and ample opportunities for professional growth, employees are encouraged to thrive in a fast-paced environment while shaping the future of digital products. The company's commitment to innovation and global reach, particularly in the Middle East, offers unique advantages for career advancement and networking within the international sports landscape.
Leaders in Sport

Contact Detail:

Leaders in Sport Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Global Head of Business Development in London

✨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 world, the better your chances of landing that dream role.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand that highlights your achievements in business development and partnerships. Share insights, write articles, or even start a podcast to demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the industry.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how you can drive revenue growth and develop strategic partnerships that align with their goals.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.

We think you need these skills to ace Global Head of Business Development in London

Business Development
Strategic Partnerships
Revenue Growth
Media Partnerships
Integrated Content Programs
B2B Event Sponsorships
Negotiation Skills
Client Relationship Management
Market Intelligence
Forecasting
Communication Skills
Mentorship
Collaboration
Entrepreneurial Mindset
International Market Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Global Head of Business Development role. Highlight your experience in business development and partnerships, especially in the sports industry, to show us you’re the perfect fit!

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your successes! Include specific examples of how you've driven revenue growth or closed significant deals in your previous roles. Numbers speak volumes!

Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuine and passionate about what they do. Share your story and why you're excited about the opportunity at Leaders Group.

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 don’t miss any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Leaders in Sport

✨Know Your Numbers

Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of your past achievements, especially in terms of revenue growth and deal closures. Be ready to discuss specific figures, like how you managed a $2M–$3M book of business, and share examples of successful partnerships you've developed.

✨Research the Company and Industry

Dive deep into Leaders Group's recent projects, events, and their position in the sports business landscape. Understanding their current offerings and how they leverage technology will help you align your experience with their goals during the conversation.

✨Showcase Your Network

Since this role requires strong international contacts, be prepared to discuss your connections within the global sports industry. Highlight any relationships with brands, agencies, or rights holders that could benefit Leaders Group and demonstrate your ability to drive new business.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss how you would approach developing integrated commercial solutions or negotiating high-value media partnerships, showcasing your entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative spirit.

Global Head of Business Development in London
Leaders in Sport
Location: London
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