Sales Manager – Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks
Born in Manchester and proud of our roots, Sale Sharks is the only Premiership Rugby Union team in the North-West, playing top-flight rugby in the Gallagher Premiership and European Champions Cup, with an emerging Women’s team competing in the Allianz Premier 15s. Our club philosophy is to be a better person, our Shark blood of Togetherness, Fearlessness, Pride, Passion and Humility running through the club make us who we are. A family woven together by the Fabric of the North.
Based at our high-performance training centre, we are looking for a down-to-earth Sales Manager to join the Sharks family. The ideal candidate comes from a sports brand/agency or professional club background, has an excellent record of sales success and relationship management. A good knowledge of rugby union (or a willingness to learn), an entrepreneurial attitude and optimistic outlook are essential.
Responsibilities (including but not limited to):
- Work with the Sales and Marketing Director to build a 3-5 year strategic roadmap for the sales team outlining short and long terms goals and targets to maximise revenue opportunities
- Plan and execute the sales strategy for the Club to drive long term business growth, working collaboratively with marketing and operations to ensure an integrated approach to business
- Tracking and analysis of commercial performance to provide regular reports to Club stakeholders including LYs comparison, forecast v actuals tracking, rights delivery performance and value, seasonal hospitality, and match day hospitality
- Understanding of the existing sports sponsorship landscape to identify new business opportunities that are a strong brand fit to Sale Sharks and align to the Clubs’ brand values and strategic direction
- Build good relationships to establish sales prospects, drive new business and explore initiatives outside of traditional routes, build and manage those relationships directly and through the broader Sales team
- Lead new contract and renewal negotiations, manage existing partnership relationships, oversee the rights activation for all contracts to maximise value for club and sponsor
- Support the sales team to evolve the match day hospitality experience providing insights and recommendations, help increase Seasonal and Match-By-Match sales and YOY retention, support Player Sponsorship negotiations and new business prospecting
- Promote the philosophy of Learn, Care, Develop through setting team goals, individual performance goals and reviews, identify training needs, coaching and development
Qualifications & Experience:
Essential
- Minimum 10 years experience working at a sports brand or in a professional club environment
- Demonstrable track record of sales success
- Experience of leading and developing a high performing sales team
- Excellent communication skills with a high attention to detail
- Excellent numeracy and excel skills
- Ability to build strong relationships
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment
- Experience in business development
Desirable
- Knowledge of the sports sponsorship marketplace
- Experience of managing a portfolio of sponsorships
- Experience with contract negotiations
Department: Commercial
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week including all home fixtures
Salary: £DOE
Send your CV to:claire.butters@salesharks.com
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