Sponsorship Sales Manager

RegulatingAI; India; Hybrid; INR 4,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Knowledge Networks is seeking a Sponsorship Sales Manager to lead revenue growth for the Universal AI Awards. This front-line leadership role requires opening doors, building senior relationships, and closing deals across global platforms with a focus on AI policy, governance, and enterprise AI adoption.

The role involves end-to-end sponsorship lifecycle management, including prospecting, pitches, negotiations and ongoing sponsor management, with remote/hybrid work and travel as required.

Qualifications

• 10-12 years of experience in sponsorship sales, enterprise sales, media sales, conference sales or event sponsorships.
• Proven track record of achieving and exceeding revenue targets.
• Strong network across technology, AI, enterprise, consulting and corporate sectors.
• Excellent presentation, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive sponsorship revenue for the Universal AI Awards across regions.
• Build and manage a robust sponsorship pipeline across AI, technology, consulting, BFSI, telecom, healthcare, manufacturing, cloud, cybersecurity and enterprise tech sectors.
• Identify, qualify and engage senior decision-makers including CMOs, CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, Chief AI Officers, Marketing Heads, Innovation Heads and CXOs.
• Develop customized sponsorship proposals aligned with client objectives and negotiate commercial agreements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsors and ensure timely execution of deliverables.
• Collaborate with Awards, Marketing, Production and Delegate Acquisition teams to align sponsor activations and speaking opportunities.

Skills

Sponsorship sales

Enterprise sales

Media sales

Conference sales

Job description

Sponsorship Sales Manager

Universal AI Awards – Brought to you by Knowledge Networks

Work Location

Remote/Hybrid with travel as required

About Knowledge Networks

Knowledge Networks is a global platform at the forefront of AI policy, governance, and enterprise AI adoption. Through its flagship initiatives, Regulating AI (90,000+ global subscribers) and CAIO Connect (a community of Fortune 500 Chief AI Officers), Knowledge Networks convenes policymakers, industry leaders, enterprises, academia, investors, and innovators to shape the future of responsible artificial intelligence.

About Universal AI Awards (UAA)

The Universal AI Awards (UAA) is Knowledge Networks' flagship global recognition platform celebrating excellence in Artificial Intelligence across innovation, governance, enterprise transformation, responsible AI, public policy, and societal impact.

The awards convene an influential ecosystem of policymakers, Fortune 500 leaders, Chief AI Officers, founders, investors, researchers, academia, technology providers, and global media.

The 2026 edition will feature:

• ·India Chapter – New Delhi (September 2026)
• ·Miami Chapter – USA (December 2026)

Role Overview

Knowledge Networks is looking for a senior commercial leader to drive sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and revenue growth across our global platforms at the intersection of AI, policy, business, law, and society.

This is not a traditional BD support role. This is a front-line leadership position for someone who can open doors, build senior relationships, shape compelling partnership propositions, and close revenue-generating deals.

You will work across a portfolio that includes high-impact global initiatives, communities, and platforms engaging decision-makers from business, government, law, and technology.

The successful candidate will own the sponsorship lifecycle from identifying prospects and pitching opportunities to negotiating commercial agreements and managing sponsor relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Sponsorship Sales

• ·Drive sponsorship revenue for the Universal AI Awards across regions.
• ·Build and manage a robust sponsorship pipeline across AI, technology, consulting, BFSI, telecom, healthcare, manufacturing, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology sectors.
• ·Identify, qualify, and engage senior decision-makers including CMOs, CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, Chief AI Officers, Marketing Heads, Innovation Heads, and CXOs.
• ·Develop customized sponsorship proposals aligned with client objectives.
• ·Negotiate commercial agreements and close sponsorship opportunities.

Client Relationship Management

• ·Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsors throughout the engagement lifecycle.
• ·Ensure timely execution of sponsorship deliverables in collaboration with internal teams.
• ·Drive sponsor retention and identify opportunities for long‑term partnerships across Knowledge Networks' portfolio.

Internal Collaboration

• ·Work closely with the Awards, Marketing, Production, and Delegate Acquisition teams to ensure seamless sponsor integration.
• ·Support event planning by aligning sponsor activations, branding and speaking opportunities.

Desired Candidate Profile

• ·10-12 years of experience in sponsorship sales, enterprise sales, media sales, conference sales, or event sponsorships.
• ·Proven track record of achieving and exceeding revenue targets.
• ·Strong network across technology, AI, enterprise, consulting, and corporate sectors.
• ·Excellent presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• ·Experience selling to CXOs and senior business leaders.
• ·Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced, target‑driven environment.
• ·Willingness to travel for client meetings and event execution.