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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