At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive partnership revenue and expand SailGP's commercial footprint across Europe and the Middle East.
- Company: Join SailGP, the world's most exciting on-water racing championship based in London.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, travel opportunities, and a dynamic team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with top brands and make a real difference in the sports industry.
- Why this job: Be part of a revolutionary sports league making an impact on sustainability and inclusivity.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in sports sales, strong negotiation skills, and a passion for premium sports.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About: SailGP is racing redefined. The world’s most exciting racing on-water, SailGP was established in 2018 and is headquartered in London. The annual, global championship Races for a Better Future accelerating change in everything it does. The fan-centric, inshore racing takes place among the sport’s top athletes in some of the most iconic waterfront destinations around the world and offers the sport’s largest monetary prize. Rival national teams battle it out in identical supercharged F50 catamarans, engineered for intense racing at electrifying speeds exceeding 60 mph/100 kph.
Role Summary: The Sponsorship Director, Europe & Middle East is a senior commercial leader responsible for driving partnership revenue and expanding SailGP's commercial footprint across Europe and the Middle East region. Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer based in the UK SailGP office (London), this role is the primary driver of new business across EMEA, owning the full sales cycle from prospecting through to closing on sponsorship, partnership, and licensing opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Partnership Sales & Revenue Generation
- Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive sponsorship sales strategy across the EMEA regions to meet and exceed annual revenue targets.
- Identify, prospect, and close sponsorship and partnership sales across a range of categories including tiered deals across the League and Events.
- Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospective partners, leveraging CRM tools (Monday.com) to track activity and forecast accurately.
- Develop compelling, tailored sales proposals and presentations that articulate SailGP's unique value proposition to brands and agencies.
- Leverage SailGP strategic agency relationships to drive sponsorship sales across Events, League and Team partners.
- Strategic Partnership Development
- Cultivate senior-level relationships with brand marketers, agency partners, and C-suite decision makers across key verticals including financial services, automotive, technology, luxury, and CPG.
- Identify and structure innovative partnership frameworks beyond traditional sponsorship, including supplier integration, licensing, content partnerships, hospitality, and experiential activations.
- Collaborate with the global commercial team and external agencies to ensure regional strategy aligns with overall league objectives.
- Market Development
- Conduct ongoing market analysis to identify emerging opportunities, category whitespace, and competitive dynamics across EMEA.
- Represent SailGP at industry events, conferences, and networking forums to build brand awareness and generate leads.
- Work closely with the events and host city teams to support commercial integration around EMEA-based race events.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with the partnership activation and marketing teams to ensure seamless transition from sale to delivery, maintaining high partner satisfaction and renewal rates.
- Work with Finance team to develop sound margin outlook for partner deals.
- Collaborate with the global media and content teams to develop commercially compelling storytelling tools for the sales process.
- Provide regular reporting on pipeline, revenue performance, and market insights to senior leadership.
Key Expectations:
- Champion an inclusive environment where diversity is valued.
- Advocate and promote SailGP Values and contribute to a positive culture - Deliver Quality, Break Boundaries, Make an Impact, Strike a Balance, Stand Together.
- Operate with a financially responsible mindset and strive for the commercial sustainability of SailGP.
- Consider how each team action contributes to Better Sport, Better Planet.
- Develop creative solutions that allow for quality work to be delivered.
- Drive collaboration and teamwork within the department and across the organization.
- Promote working practices that enable a healthy work-life balance within the team and celebrate wellbeing.
- Support out of the box thinking.
- Support teams with developmental goals and growth plans.
- Encourage the delivery of work that will leave an impact on the organization.
- Engage in high level thinking to drive the team and organization forward.
- Exercise key problem solving skills and serve as advisor to multiple areas of the business.
- Strategize constructively with key stakeholders and team managers.
- Able to see and work towards the bigger picture.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience in sports commercial, partnership sales, or business development, with a proven track record of closing complex, high-value deals.
- Must be available for extensive travel; time in-person with senior leadership at industry events, regional HQ presentations, and SailGP strategic cities (including but not limited to London, Sassnitz, Rome, Valencia, Geneva, etc).
- Deep knowledge of the Europe and Middle East sports and sponsorship landscape.
- Existing relationships with senior brand and agency contacts across EMEA.
- Strong presentation, negotiation, and communication skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, global organization.
- Passion for sailing or premium/international sports a plus.
- Bachelor's degree required; MBA or equivalent a plus.
Location: This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days per week in our London office, alongside regional and international travel.
SailGP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to building a team culture that celebrates diversity, equality and inclusion.
Sponsorship Sales Director- EMEA in London employer: SailGP
SailGP is an exceptional employer that champions a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to be part of a revolutionary sports league that prioritises sustainability and innovation. With a strong focus on professional growth, team collaboration, and a healthy work-life balance, employees are encouraged to think creatively and make a meaningful impact in the fast-paced world of sports sponsorship. Located in London, the heart of global commerce, SailGP provides unique opportunities for networking and career advancement within the vibrant sports industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sponsorship Sales Director- EMEA in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks at events, conferences, and even on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your passion for the sport shine through. Be genuine and enthusiastic about what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your pitch! Make sure you’re not just talking about your experience but how it specifically relates to SailGP’s mission and values. Show them you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up! After meeting someone or having an interview, drop them a quick message to thank them for their time. It keeps you on their radar and shows you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Sponsorship Sales Director- EMEA in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Sponsorship Sales Director role. Highlight your experience in partnership sales and how it aligns with SailGP's mission. We want to see how you can drive revenue and make an impact!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and specific examples to demonstrate how you've closed high-value deals or developed successful strategies in the past. This will help us see your potential.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know what makes you tick. Share your passion for sports and any unique experiences that could set you apart from other candidates.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at SailGP
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into SailGP's mission and values. Understand their unique selling points and how they differentiate themselves in the sports industry. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Network
Given the emphasis on building relationships with senior-level contacts, be ready to discuss your existing connections in the EMEA sports and sponsorship landscape. Highlight specific examples of how you've leveraged these relationships to close deals or drive revenue.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex sales cycles or developed innovative partnership frameworks. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Fit
SailGP values diversity and collaboration, so be sure to express your commitment to these principles. Share examples of how you've fostered inclusive environments in previous roles and how you plan to contribute to a positive culture at SailGP.
