Head of Business Development

Head of Business Development Premium Sports & Entertainment

Sporting Jobs are exclusively partnering with a leading sports and entertainment venue to recruit a Head of Business Development.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK's premier live entertainment businesses, helping drive commercial growth across a portfolio of world class sporting events, concerts, live entertainment and premium hospitality experiences.

Sporting Jobs has built a reputation for delivering executive search and recruitment solutions across the global sports industry, partnering with clubs, governing bodies, venues, rightsholders and brands to appoint outstanding talent. We're delighted to be leading the search for this key commercial appointment, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to play a significant role within one of the country's most recognised entertainment destinations.

We're looking for an ambitious and commercially driven business development professional who thrives on creating opportunities, building relationships and closing high-value deals. You'll enjoy opening new doors, developing strategic partnerships and engaging with senior decision makers to deliver sustainable revenue growth.

Reporting into the Commercial Director, you'll lead the acquisition of new premium clients and corporate partnerships, helping maximise revenue across an outstanding portfolio of live events and premium hospitality products.

If you're passionate about sport, entertainment and premium experiences, this is an opportunity to join an organisation that continues to set the benchmark for live events in the UK.

The Role

As Head of Business Development, you'll take ownership of generating new business opportunities across premium memberships, hospitality products and commercial partnerships.

Leading the full B2B sales cycle, you'll identify new prospects, engage senior stakeholders and guide opportunities from initial conversations through to successful contract negotiations.

Working closely with colleagues across commercial, programming, marketing and operations, you'll ensure products are positioned effectively, commercial opportunities are maximised and clients receive an exceptional experience throughout the sales journey.

This is a highly visible role where your ability to build relationships, develop innovative sales strategies and consistently deliver against ambitious revenue targets will directly contribute to the organisation's continued commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a proactive business development strategy focused on premium memberships, hospitality and partnership opportunities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified corporate prospects through networking, outreach and targeted business development activity.
• Lead the full sales process from initial engagement through to contract completion.
• Deliver compelling sales presentations, venue tours and commercial proposals to senior business leaders and C suite decision makers.
• Identify new market opportunities, industry sectors and commercial partnerships that support long term revenue growth.
• Work closely with internal teams to align commercial activity with event schedules, product availability and operational delivery.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, sales forecasting and pipeline reporting.
• Use market insight, customer feedback and commercial data to support product development and pricing strategies.
• Represent the organisation at industry events, networking functions and corporate hospitality occasions.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the commercial strategy, identifying opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.

About You

You'll be an experienced business development professional with a proven track record of delivering commercial growth within sport, entertainment, hospitality or another premium B2B environment.

You're confident engaging senior decision makers, enjoy building long term relationships and understand how to create value for both clients and your organisation.

You'll combine strategic thinking with a hands on approach to sales and be motivated by achieving ambitious commercial targets while delivering an exceptional customer experience.

You'll ideally bring:

• Proven success in business development, corporate sales or partnership acquisition.
• Experience selling premium products, hospitality, sponsorship or commercial services.
• Outstanding presentation, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• A track record of winning new business and consistently delivering against revenue targets.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of consultative sales techniques.
• Experience using CRM systems, pipeline management and sales forecasting tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, resilient and self motivated approach to business development.
• A genuine interest in the sports, entertainment or live events industry.

Experience working within venues, professional sport, live entertainment, hospitality or premium events would be highly advantageous.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the UK's leading sports and entertainment venues at an exciting stage of its commercial growth.

You'll work alongside an ambitious leadership team, represent a portfolio of internationally recognised events and premium experiences, and play a central role in driving future business performance.

For an experienced commercial professional looking to take the next step in their career, this role offers genuine autonomy, exposure to high profile clients and the opportunity to make a measurable impact within one of the UK's most dynamic live entertainment businesses.

Reference

VAC-3069

Salary

Competitive, dependent on experience