Sales Manager

Manchester United; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

As a Sales Manager at a leading sports organization, you will drive revenue through strategic partnerships and high-level negotiations. Your role will involve cultivating relationships with C-suite executives, utilizing data-driven strategies to enhance revenue streams, and ensuring satisfaction with existing partners. Opportunities for professional development and a commitment to an inclusive work culture are key aspects of this role.

Benefits

Annual incentive scheme

Wellness support, including mental health resources

Exclusive discounts via United Rewards platform

Gym facilities and social/team-building events

Enhanced family leave and holiday purchase options

Career development through LinkedIn Learning

Inclusive and supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex, high-value deals from initial contact to contract.
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical mindset for presenting data effectively.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement tailored sales strategies.
• Establish and nurture relationships with key decision-makers.
• Negotiate contracts with legal support for beneficial outcomes.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Skills

Negotiation

Emotional Intelligence

Team Collaboration

Job description

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Purpose

:

As a Sales Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving revenue growth through the acquisition and retention of Sales & Partnerships (sponsorship deals) for Manchester United. Your exceptional sales acumen, strategic thinking, ability to story tell through data, and engage with senior executives will be crucial in securing high-level partnerships, maximising revenue streams, and contributing to the overall success of our organisation.

The Role:

1. Connect with potential partners at the C-suite level, evaluating their suitability for Manchester United and aligning their brand objectives with the club’s offerings. Industry contacts are a bonus; sourcing prospects is expected, but direct lead generation is supported by a dedicated team. Cold calling and emailing are part of the role.
2. Bespoke Sales Strategy: Develop and implement tailored sales strategies aligned with prospects' brand objectives and marketing plans.
3. Relationship Building: Establish and nurture relationships with key decision-makers, demonstrating the benefits of partnering with Manchester United.
4. Pitch Creation: Create compelling, bespoke pitches and proposals showcasing partnership benefits, including exposure, audience reach, and activations.
5. Data-Driven Selling: Use analytics and data to demonstrate ROI and value, supporting emotional selling with data.
6. Contract Negotiation: Negotiate contracts with support from the legal team to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.
7. Collaborative Strategy: Work with internal teams (technology, football management, venue, marketing, events, operations) to understand needs and align prospect products accordingly.
8. Relationship Management: Maintain high-level relationships focusing on satisfaction, renewals, and upselling; this is strategic engagement, not daily account management.
9. Stakeholder Management: Track and report pipeline progress to the Sales Director/CBO.
10. Market Insight: Stay informed on industry trends, market conditions, and competitors to identify new opportunities.
11. Networking: Attend industry events and conferences to expand your network and engage with prospects.

The Person:

1. Ability to engage, influence, and manage senior stakeholders internally and externally.
2. Experience managing complex, high-value deals from initial contact to contract, especially in challenging environments and with premium brands.
3. Analytical mindset with the ability to understand partner objectives and present relevant data effectively.
4. Strong strategic thinking, tailoring pitches and analytics to align with objectives.
5. Leverage data to support emotional pitches, demonstrating ROI clearly.
6. Proven ability to present to external stakeholders at various levels and across borders, articulating complex narratives clearly.
7. Experience working across internal functions with a solid understanding of marketing mix.
8. Ability to negotiate contract terms and legal considerations in high-value agreements.
9. Willingness to travel extensively (up to 60%) and attend matches and events outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends.
10. Ability to work under tight deadlines in a high-performance environment.
11. Team player with high motivation, proactivity, and a positive attitude towards teamwork.

What We Offer:

At Manchester United, we value our people and offer rewards supporting professional and personal well-being:

• Annual incentive scheme
• Wellness support, including mental health resources and digital health checks
• Exclusive discounts via United Rewards platform
• Gym facilities and social/team-building events
• Enhanced family leave and holiday purchase options
• Career development through platforms like LinkedIn Learning and internal training
• A diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment

Our Commitment to You:

We believe diversity and inclusion strengthen us. We aim to build a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

Ready to Join Us?

If this role excites you, please submit your application by Thursday 10th July 2025.