At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sponsorship sales across multiple sports properties and build long-term partnerships.
- Company: Join Playfly Sports, a leading sports marketing and media company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the sports industry while driving innovative commercial solutions.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in sponsorship sales with a strong network in the sports industry.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We're looking for an ambitious Sales Director to lead sponsorship sales across multiple sports properties in Europe. This is a high-impact role responsible for owning the day-to-day commercial relationship with key rights holders, driving new partnership revenue, and taking opportunities from first meeting through to contract signature. Working alongside our Commercial Development team, who will generate qualified leads, you'll be responsible for converting opportunities into long-term partnerships through exceptional relationship building, consultative selling, and commercial creativity. You'll also leverage your own network of senior brand contacts to unlock new business opportunities. This is an ideal opportunity for a senior manager or sales lead looking to step into a leadership role with the ambition to grow into leading larger commercial sales teams in the future.
What You'll Accomplish
- Own Commercial Projects: Take full ownership of sponsorship revenue across a selection of major rights holders, including at least one football client, delivering against ambitious commercial targets.
- Lead Sales from First Meeting to Close: Own the entire sales process for your accounts - from initial discovery meetings through proposal development, negotiation and contract completion. Closing deals is the most critical aspect of this role.
- Build Trusted Client Relationships: Become a trusted commercial advisor to your rights holder clients, understanding their objectives and representing their interests with professionalism and credibility.
- Deliver Market-Leading Commercial Solutions: Work closely with our Commercial Strategy, Data and Design teams to build compelling partnership propositions that combine strategic insight, creativity and measurable business outcomes.
- Shape Our Culture: Contribute to a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment by leading through example, sharing best practice and maintaining a positive, high-performance mindset.
What You'll Bring
- 10+ years' experience in sponsorship sales within European football or the wider sports industry
- Proven track record of consistently delivering and exceeding commercial revenue targets
- Demonstrable success managing complex sponsorship sales processes from first meeting through to signed agreement
- Strong existing network of senior marketing and commercial decision-makers across brands
- Sophisticated understanding on the inner workings of businesses across multiple industry sectors and how sport can support real return for them
- Outstanding relationship-building skills with the ability to establish trust quickly with clients and partners
- Highly consultative sales approach, combining commercial insight with creativity and emotional storytelling
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the resilience and drive to thrive in a fast-moving business
- Willingness to travel internationally as required
What We Do
Playfly Sports is the full-service, leading sports marketing and media company that enables brands to engage with sports fans on a local, regional, and national level through scaled linear, digital, and experiential assets. Playfly Sports drives outcome-based solutions into 90-million households via more than 7,800 live U.S. broadcasts of MLB, NBA, and NHL games; and influences sports fans of all ages through the management of college and high school multimedia rights, uniform branding, and high-profile sports sponsorship platforms. Playfly Sports has the unique ability to partner, innovate, and advance the aspirations of athletes, brands, academic institutions, and sports fans across the U.S. Playfly Sports is Powered by Partnership.
What We Stand For
At Playfly, we know that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company is a more innovative and successful one, but more importantly, we believe it’s just the right thing to do. Through conversations, company initiatives, community events and partnerships, policy changes, data analysis, workshops, and support groups, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are here for the long haul and to do the meaningful work that creates true institutional change within our workplace, with our partners, and in the communities we serve.
EEOC & DIVERSITY STATEMENT
Playfly Sports affirms that inequality is detrimental to our associates, our clients, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to impact lasting change through our actions. Together, we unite for equality and equity. Playfly Sports is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic, including race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful alien status, ancestry, age, marital status, or protected veteran status and will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of a disability. We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Playfly Sports is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, and as part of this commitment, Playfly Sports will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact recruiting@playfly.com.
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role at this time.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Sales Director employer: UTSA Sports Properties
Playfly Sports is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and entrepreneurial work culture in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to thrive while driving innovative solutions in sports marketing. The company provides ample opportunities for professional growth, allowing ambitious individuals to step into leadership roles and make a meaningful impact in the sports industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sales Director
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Sales Director at UTSA Sports Properties, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including UTSA Sports Properties. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Sales Director. Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Sales Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for UTSA Sports Properties:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for UTSA Sports Properties. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at UTSA Sports Properties
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show UTSA Sports Properties that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show UTSA Sports Properties that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with UTSA Sports Properties’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
