Business Director - Mat Cover

MLS Talent; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports and entertainment agency in the UK is seeking an experienced Business Director to oversee major sponsorship projects and deliver innovative brand experiences. This position requires proven leadership in large-scale activations, strategic growth abilities, and excellence in team management. The ideal candidate will manage key client relationships, fostering collaboration across account management, strategy, and creative teams. This role is hybrid and offers a competitive salary of £70k - £80k for a 12-month maternity cover position.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale sponsorship and partnership activations (sport and entertainment).
• Strong knowledge of the experiential and brand experience landscape.
• Confident senior stakeholder manager with excellent commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of integrated sponsorship and partnership campaigns across sport, culture, and entertainment.
• Oversee experiential activations, fan zones, hospitality programmes, and live events.
• Manage multiple partnership properties across different territories and categories.

Skills

Leading large-scale sponsorship activations

Strong knowledge of experiential landscape

Senior stakeholder management

Developing teams

Strategic thinking

Job description

Business Director – Sports & Entertainment Sponsorship (Maternity Cover)

Start Date : January 2026

Location : London (Hybrid working)

Contract : 12-month maternity cover

Salary : £70k - £80k

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Business Director to join a leading sports and entertainment sponsorship agency. This role sits within the Activations Team, leading one of the agency’s biggest global clients across sport and culture, while overseeing additional projects in entertainment and live events.

The Business Director will play a pivotal role in driving strategic growth, managing high‑profile sponsorships, and delivering exceptional brand experiences that cut through culture.

As a senior leader, you’ll be responsible for delivering market‑leading partnership campaigns, managing key client relationships, and inspiring a talented team to produce innovative, high‑impact work. You’ll be a trusted advisor to senior clients, accountable for performance, delivery, and growth across your portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Client & Campaign Leadership

• Lead the planning and execution of integrated sponsorship and partnership campaigns across sport, culture, and entertainment.
• Oversee experiential activations, fan zones, hospitality programmes, and live events.
• Act as senior counsel to clients, providing strategic recommendations and ensuring best‑in‑class delivery.
• Manage multiple partnership properties across different territories and categories.
• Build strong relationships with rights holders and inter‑agency partners.

Strategic & Commercial Growth

• Identify and develop new business opportunities within existing and new client accounts.
• Oversee budgets, scopes, and financial performance across projects.
• Collaborate with Strategy and Creative teams to shape long‑term partnership strategies.
• Measure and evaluate campaign performance in partnership with Insights teams.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, inspire, and mentor a multi‑disciplinary team across account management, strategy, and creative.
• Ensure clear communication, structured talent development, and succession planning.
• Foster a collaborative, integrated team culture and uphold agency standards of excellence.
• Be visible and approachable as a senior leader, contributing to the wider agency vision and culture.

Experience & Skills

• Proven experience leading large‑scale sponsorship and partnership activations (sport and entertainment).
• Strong knowledge of the experiential and brand experience landscape.
• Confident senior stakeholder manager with excellent commercial acumen.
• Track record of developing teams, managing complex budgets, and delivering award‑worthy work.
• Strategic thinker with a network and passion for contemporary culture — from sport and music to film, gaming, and the arts.

Get in touch today!