Head of Partnership Sales - APAC & MENA

City Football Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Head of Partnership Sales to lead efforts across the APAC & MENA regions. You will manage a team of sales executives, drive revenue, and develop commercial strategies while building strong relationships with partners. This role requires a motivated individual with a proven track record in sales and sponsorship, capable of navigating a fast-paced environment. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to excellence and inclusivity, and make a significant impact in the sports market.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in partnership sales with emphasis on lead generation.
• Experience in managing a remote sales team to exceed targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to meet and exceed annual sales targets.
• Build relationships with commercial partners across CFG properties.

Skills

Partnership Sales

Lead Generation

Sponsorship

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Relationship Building

Commercial Acumen

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Our Story:

City Football Group (CFG) is the world's leading private owner and operator of football clubs with 13 football clubs across five continents within the CFG family. Established in May 2013, the CFG approach ensures that every club remains authentic to its fans and community, plays entertaining football and benefits from being part of a global organisation that applies the world's best expertise on and off the pitch.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a driven and dynamic Head of Partnership Sales to join our team and lead the partnership sales efforts across the APAC & MENA regions. This role will see you manage a team of 4 Partnership Sales Executives while overseeing your own revenue pipeline. You will play a key role in achieving sales targets, contributing to the development of commercial strategies, and building strong relationships with partners in the region.

Key Responsibilities:

Sales Leadership & Delivery

• Lead a team of sales executives to meet and exceed annual sales targets.
• Deeply understand the market categories under your remit and identify commercial opportunities for CFG.
• Build relationships with new and existing commercial partners across all CFG properties.
• Deliver on sales objectives and strategic projects, including presentations and proposals.
• Drive creative initiatives to maximize partner engagement and explore new revenue streams.

Networking & Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships within the APAC sports market, including brands, football clubs, federations, marketing agencies, media, and PR companies.
• Engage with key global and regional partners to foster long-term relationships and business growth.

Brand Development & Strategic Support

• Contribute to creative partnership ideas to enhance engagement with new and existing fans of CFG.
• Work with the Business Development team to drive revenue for strategic projects, including Telecom Partnerships and Industrial Sponsorships.

Reporting & Strategy

• Oversee and drive results for key categories and projects within the APAC region.
• Provide regular updates on sales activities, pipeline development, and business closed.
• Collaborate with internal teams to refine and implement sales strategies and identify market trends.
• Ensure consistent achievement of commercial revenue targets aligned with CFG's overall goals.

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong track record in sales and lead generation, ideally with a background in sponsorship. You will have experience in managing and coaching a remote sales team to success, and be skilled in driving revenue and delivering results in a fast-paced environment.

Key Qualifications & Skills:

• Proven experience in Partnership Sales, with a strong emphasis on lead generation and sponsorship.
• Experience in managing and coaching a remote sales team to meet and exceed targets.
• Familiarity with sports/soccer sponsorship contracts and rights packages.
• Experience working in a rights-holder/club environment, with a deep understanding of the global and local soccer landscape.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and experience with sales management systems (e.g., Salesforce).
• Commercial acumen with a deep understanding of local and regional market trends.
• Self-sufficient, proactive, flexible, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as necessary.

Inclusive Workplace:

City Football Group is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and supported. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

If you require any disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know in your application.

We promote equal opportunities in employment, ensuring all candidates are considered based on their skills and experience. During the screening process, we carefully review all applications, and we will contact you if you are selected for an interview.