Sales Manager - Hospitality & Events in Newcastle upon Tyne

This is not a business-as-usual sales role.

As Hospitality & Events Sales Manager, you will play a central role in driving commercial revenue across both matchday hospitality and non-matchday events, helping to shape and deliver a premium venue proposition at one of the North East’s most recognisable sporting destinations.

You will be responsible for leading sales activity across the full hospitality and events portfolio, including matchday boxes, suites and packages, as well as conferences, meetings, banqueting, private events and wider stadium hire. Working closely with the Head of Commercial Venue, you will help develop and execute a clear, ambitious sales plan aligned to the Sales Strategy and focused on revenue growth, new business acquisition, key account development and long-term client value.

This role requires planning and hands‑on sales leadership. You will own the full sales cycle, from prospecting and outreach through to proposal, negotiation, closing and renewal, while also leading and motivating the Hospitality & Events Sales Team to consistently deliver against stretching targets.

You will work collaboratively across Marketing, Partnerships, Events and Operations to shape compelling propositions, maximise sales opportunities and ensure seamless delivery from initial conversation through to event execution. You will also take a data‑led approach to pipeline management, forecasting and reporting, helping to identify new commercial opportunities and drive continuous improvement across the department.

This is an opportunity to help build a modern, high‑performing hospitality and events sales function within a club with renewed ambition, a powerful regional identity and the backing of one of the world’s most recognisable brands.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & Business Development

• Drive sales across all Matchday Hospitality and Non-Matchday Events products, including:
• Matchday: boxes, suites and all other hospitality packages.
• Own and manage the full sales cycle from prospecting and outreach through to proposal, negotiation and closing, using both outbound and inbound channels.
• Proactively generate new business through networking, outreach, and partnerships, particularly within the North East business community.
• Maximise renewals, upsell and cross‑sell opportunities across the full hospitality and events portfolio, ensuring existing clients realise the full upsell potential.
• Identify and develop new sales streams and commercial opportunities across both matchday and non‑matchday calendars.
• Support the development of other matchday‑related events and experiences that drive incremental revenue and enhance partner and client engagement.
• Work closely with Marketing, Partnerships and Events to shape, package and promote compelling propositions.
• Work with the Partnerships team to align hospitality and partnership propositions and ensure a joined‑up, premium experience for shared clients.
• Work closely with the Events team to ensure seamless handover from sales to delivery, ensuring that what is sold is delivered to a high standard.
• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders (including Partnerships and Marketing) to package and promote non‑matchday events effectively.
• Take a data‑led approach to sales and work in line with the overall organisational data strategy.
• Matchday: work with key stakeholders and potential partners, building relationships networking and upselling and gathering feedback to inform future approach.
• Take ownership of achieving and exceeding revenue targets (as set by the Conference & Events Director) across both matchday hospitality and non‑matchday events.
• Develop in conjunction with the Head of Commercial Venue a clear, actionable sales plan, including market focus, outreach strategy and key account growth plans.
• Track and report performance against budget and target figures, ensuring that sales initiatives are identified, implemented and refined to meet and exceed commercial objectives.
• Produce accurate sales forecasts, pipeline reports and performance updates for the Head of Commercial Venue and the Commercial Director in formats presentable at Board & Executive level.
• Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date client and opportunity information using the Club’s tracking tools, ensuring the full sales cycle is logged from initial contact through to conversion and renewal.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and client feedback to identify new commercial opportunities, providing recommendations to the Head of Commercial Venue.
• Work closely with the Marketing team to ensure sales opportunities are maximised through effective campaigns, digital activity and targeted communications.

Client Relationships & Key Account Management

• Build and maintain strong, long‑term relationships with key corporate clients, regional businesses and national partners.
• Lead on the management of key accounts across hospitality and events, serving as a trusted point of contact for senior decision‑makers.
• Work alongside the Partnerships team to align hospitality and partnership offerings and deliver a joined‑up, premium experience for shared accounts.
• Ensure existing clients are fully maximised – identifying cross‑sell and upsell opportunities and developing deeper, multi‑year relationships.
• Lead, motivate and develop the Hospitality & Events Sales Team.
• Set clear individual and team targets aligned to overall revenue goals; monitor performance and provide regular feedback and coaching.
• Ensure the sales team is highly organised, proactive and professional in all interactions with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive and high‑energy team culture where people are encouraged to take ownership, share ideas and continuously improve.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Partnerships, Events and Operations to support a joined‑up approach and seamless delivery of what has been sold.

Profile

Experience

• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding sales targets and growing revenue year‑on‑year.
• Management experience, including setting targets and performance management.
• Experience using CRM systems to manage pipelines, analyse sales performance, and drive data‑informed decision‑making.
• Experience in sport, events, stadium or venue sales in a related role is desirable.
• A degree in Sales Management, Marketing, Business or related subject would be advantageous.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong negotiation and closing skills with proven ability to influence outcomes.
• Excellent communication with exceptional interpersonal skills, able to build strong relationships, engage stakeholders at all levels, and convey information with clarity and impact.
• Ambitious, energetic and commercially minded, with a clear focus on revenue growth and client value.
• A creative thinker who can shape compelling propositions and packages from existing and new assets.
• Highly organised, with strong planning, prioritisation and follow‑up skills.
• Relationship‑driven and people‑focused – able to build trust quickly and maintain long‑term partnerships.
• Comfortable working to stretching targets and thriving in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.
• Established relevant North-East business network and strong local commercial connection would be advantageous.