Commercial Partnerships Executive

About the Role
We are seeking a Commercial Partnership Executive who is commercially driven and focused on identifying, developing, and closing sponsorship partnerships within sport and entertainment properties. This position operates at the forefront of revenue generation, combining proactive outreach, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the partnership landscape to unlock high-value opportunities. The role requires a robust balance of front-end business development (cold outreach, pipeline creation) and strategic rigor (go-to-market planning, rights evaluation), along with a high level of attention to detail when developing and reviewing client-facing work.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Partnerships

• Proactively identify, target, and engage potential partners across key sectors (brands, agencies, rights holders) through structured outreach and cold calling.
• Build and manage a high-quality pipeline of commercial opportunities aligned to defined go-to-market strategies.
• Develop, structure, and deliver compelling partnership proposals that clearly articulate value, differentiation, and ROI.
• Lead negotiations and support deal closure, ensuring commercially sound and mutually beneficial agreements.
• Manage the full partnership lifecycle — from prospecting through to contracting and ongoing relationship management.

Go-To-Market & Commercial Strategy

• Support the development of go-to-market plans for rights holders and partnership opportunities, including sector targeting and positioning.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of sponsorship rights, asset packaging, and commercial valuation.
• Contribute to shaping partnership narratives that align brand objectives with rights holder platforms.

Market Intelligence & Landscape Understanding

• Maintain a strong, up-to-date understanding of the UAE and wider regional sport & entertainment sponsorship landscape.
• Conduct market research to identify trends, active categories, and whitespace opportunities.
• Analyse competitor activity and partnership models to inform strategy and approach.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Act as a reliable commercial point of contact, ensuring clear communication and consistent delivery against expectations.
• Provide informed recommendations on partnership strategy, positioning, and execution.

Partnership Activation (When Required)

• Support or oversee the development of partnership activation plans across digital, experiential, and PR channels.
• Ensure delivery aligns with agreed rights and maximises partner value.

Industry Presence & Networking

• Actively build a network within the sport and entertainment ecosystem, including brands, rights holders, and agencies.
• Represent the business at industry events, leveraging opportunities to generate leads and strengthen market presence.

Standards & Approach

• Maintain a high level of care and attention to detail across all outputs, ensuring all materials are client-ready and commercially robust.
• Operate with a strong sense of ownership and accountability across both pipeline development and delivery.
• Balance pace with precision — ensuring opportunities are progressed efficiently without compromising quality.

About You

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or related field.
• 2+ years’ experience in business development, partnerships, or sponsorship within sport and/or entertainment.
• Proven track record in generating leads, developing opportunities, and closing commercial deals.
• Strong understanding of partnership rights, valuation, and activation mechanics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Commercially astute, with a data-informed and strategic mindset.
• Ability to operate independently while contributing to a high-performing team environment.