Business Development Lead

Southampton Football Club; Southampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2 match tickets

Health & Wellbeing initiatives

Merchandise discount

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Travel insurance

Learning & development

Free onsite parking

Cycle to Work

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Southampton Football Club is seeking a Business Development Lead to drive the commercial success of LEVEL1 at St. Mary's Stadium, creating and delivering innovative sales packages and revenue streams.

You will attract new business across corporate, leisure, and education markets while developing partnerships with local and regional organisations. You will tailor proposals and products, including corporate packages and matchday/hospitality options, to maximise revenue year-round and support

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in business development, sales, or account management.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Drive commercial success of LEVEL1 by creating and delivering innovative sales packages and revenue streams.
• Attract new business across corporate, leisure, and education markets and develop partnerships with local and regional organisations.
• Secure exclusive hires, build bespoke corporate offers, and promote LEVEL1 as a destination for schools, travel groups, and private events.
• Sell the optimal matchday package and drive overall customer revenue 364 days a year.
• Grow revenue through school partnerships, including clubs, trips and educational visits, and manage relationships with partners, sponsors and community organisations.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Account management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications

Job description

Be part of our journey... Location: St. Mary's Stadium Hours: Full Time Contract Type: Permanent Criminal Record Check: DBS Basic

What is the role?

We are seeking a Business Development Lead to take responsibility for driving the commercial success of LEVEL1 by creating and delivering innovative sales packages and revenue streams. This role will focus on attracting new business across corporate, leisure, and education markets, while also developing strong partnerships with local and regional organisations. By securing exclusive hires, building bespoke corporate offers, and promoting LEVEL1 as a destination for schools, travel groups, and private events, the Business Development Lead will play a key role in positioning LEVEL1 as the premier entertainment and events hub in Southampton.

What will you be doing?

You will produce tailored sales packs, proposals and products to maximise revenue opportunities for LEVEL1, including attractive corporate packages such as team building experiences and travel and excursion offerings which drive group bookings from regional and national markets. You will also develop and sell the optimal matchday package alongside the hospitality sales team and drive overall customer revenue 364 days a year.

With a focus on growing revenue through school partnerships, including clubs, trips and educational visits, you will build and manage relationships with partners, sponsors and community organisations to secure repeat business. You will work closely with the marketing and operations teams to ensure seamless delivery of commercial activities and track performance against revenue targets, reporting regularly to senior leadership on measured success and opportunities for growth.

Is this you?

You are self‑motivated, results‑oriented, and able to work independently as well as collaboratively with strong communication and negotiation skills. You have a proven track record in identifying leads, closing sales, and achieving revenue goals.

Essential Skills and Experience

• 2+ years of experience in business development, sales, or account management.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.

How this benefits you…

• If you are successful, you can look forward to a healthy benefits package; Access to 2 free match tickets for every home league game
• Access to our staff Health & Wellbeing initiatives (Mental & Physical Health).
• Discounted Southampton Football Club merchandise.
• 25 days’ holiday per year excluding bank holidays plus your birthday off each year.
• Contributory Pension Scheme.
• Worldwide Travel Insurance for you and your family.
• Learning & Development opportunities - supporting you to develop your potential and achieve in your career.
• Free onsite parking.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Collaborative & inclusive working culture.

The closing date for this role is 15 September 2026.

*We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if a high volume of applicants are received.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect everyone to share this commitment.

You will be required to adhere to all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk and to ensure that Southampton Football Club is free from discrimination and harassment. The post holder will demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, supporting the organisation’s strategic aims to remove barriers and address inequality. You will play an active role in promoting an inclusive, discrimination‑free environment that ensures fair access to opportunities and resources. This includes fostering a culture of dignity, respect, and belonging where everyone is empowered to contribute, perform, and reach their full potential.

About Us POTENTIAL INTO EXCELLENCE

Southampton Football Club is part of St. Mary's Football Group, which also includes the affiliated registered charity – the Saints Foundation. We look for people with integrity, compassion and support for those around them; people who take pride in what they do with an honest approach, who embrace a challenge while also being accountable for their decisions; people who have the energy and passion to bring an innovative approach to their role and strive to be different from the rest; people with the aspiration to lead the way and become an example to others. Within the walls of St. Mary's Stadium, Staplewood Campus, the Bath Academy and our other sites and development centres across the South of England, you’ll be given the platform to work in a vibrant, intelligent and challenging environment with the potential to develop and become the best at what you do. We don’t stand still, we are constantly moving forward. Be part of it…

Southampton Football Club promotes equal opportunities in employment and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We have the Disability Confident Award, which we pride ourselves on with regard to the commitment to employing disabled people and judging people on their abilities alone. We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview. We make a commitment to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a job vacancy and to consider them on their abilities.

Southampton Football Club is an Equal Opportunities Employer Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Southampton Football Club recognises that the safety and protection of those children and young people in day to day contact with the Club is paramount. We are committed to creating a safe culture for all. As such, you may be subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure via the Disclosure & Barring Service and prior to taking up any role.

Southampton Football Club is committed to protecting the privacy and security of every applicant’s personal information. Please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice and Group Privacy & Data Protection Policy on our main careers page for further information.