Assistant Director, Transformation, Sports Business Group

Deloitte LLP; Manchester, Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm is seeking an exceptional Assistant Director to join their Sports Business Group in Manchester. The role focuses on driving strategic growth and transformation in the sports industry, particularly working with rights holders and investors. Ideal candidates will have a strong track record in the industry, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead diverse project teams. A hybrid working policy allows for flexibility in office, client sites, or remote work.

Qualifications

• Exceptional listener with a collaborative nature.
• Ability to articulate complex messages tailored to the audience.
• Experience leading business development opportunities in the sport industry.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on strategies for growth.
• Lead transformative change initiatives for clients.
• Build strong relationships with senior client stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership in sports industry

Business development

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Job description

The Sports Business Group is a market-leading team of industry specialists working exclusively on the most impactful programmes in sport. We provide clients with specialist sports knowledge and insights to drive growth and impact.

Our four market offerings are:

• Transformation Advisory: We advise organisations on future‑proofing the sports business, charting new opportunities and driving innovation from ideation to delivery.
• Sports Advisory: We create strategies and reporting mechanisms to support the growth and sustainability of elite sporting organisations in a responsible manner.
• Sports M&A Advisory: We support major global sports transactions, facilitating client investment through M&A to create future value for private and institutional investors.
• Economic Growth & Development: We build a vision for economic development and growth through sport, advising governments, public sector and private investors on how to maximise the impacts of their investments.

This advertised role sits within the Transformation Advisory market offering, and is focused on delivering strategic growth projects that span commercial, fan engagement and digital areas, engaging with clubs, leagues and investors to formulate strategy and execute transformative change.

About the Role

We are looking for an exceptional new colleague to join at Assistant Director level with relevant experience of working with sports rights holders and investors to drive strategic growth and transformational change. You’ll have a strong track record in the industry and share our excitement and commitment to delivering the future of sport.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Growth Advisory: Provide expert guidance to clients on developing robust strategies, with a primary focus on defining pathways for commercial and audience growth.
• Transformation Programme Advisory: Lead and support the end‑to‑end building out and delivery of complex transformational plans and change initiatives for clients.
• Client‑Focused Project Leader: Lead and manage diverse project teams, ensuring high‑quality delivery and impactful outcomes that exceed client expectations.
• Trusted Senior Client Partner: Build and nurture strong, trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, acting as a strategic advisor and partner.
• Business Development: Proactively identify and cultivate new business opportunities with both existing and prospective clients, expanding our impact in the sports sector.
• Sport Industry Advisory: Articulate a distinctive point of view on emerging sport industry trends and the future of sport, advising clients on strategic positioning and innovation.

Qualifications & Skills

• Natural at taking initiative, brings out the best in others and is a brilliant listener.
• Collaborative in nature; enjoys working as a team to understand and explore complex challenges as well as collaborating to deliver project objectives.
• Can articulate complex messages, using strategic thinking, frameworks and experience to structure, articulate and deliver recommendations, tailoring messaging to the audience.
• Experience within the sport industry in a leadership role or in a professional services organisation.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the business of sport.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of the commercial ecosystem in sport, including digital, data, content, marketing and sponsorships.
• Experience working on strategy and commercial projects in sport.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report‑writing, presentations and workshop facilitation.
• Ability to turn data and insights into compelling narratives.
• Strong network within the sports industry.
• Experience leading business development opportunities.

Location: Manchester or London – hybrid working policy with flexibility to work in the office, virtually, client sites or remotely as required.