Business Development Lead at The National Basketball Association (NBA)

The successful candidate will be implementing the new business development strategy with a focus on new partnership development - prospecting, pitching, negotiating, and securing new marketing partners. The role will require frequent travel throughout the region and will work closely with the Marketing, Media, Events, and other groups to create and drive new revenue streams.

Major Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the business development strategy for NBA Nigeria
• Build relationships with senior-level decision makers at prospective sponsors, relevant marketing agencies, event management companies, and promoters to generate new partners and other new business opportunities
• Manage the sales process from proposal to deal memo submission and contract execution by liaising with other departments (Legal, Finance, etc.)
• Adapt current NBA marketing programs and create new initiatives tailored to NBA Nigeria
• Maintain a database of highly valuable targets and opportunities
• Monitor the activity of other sports and entertainment properties in the region
• Prospect, target, pitch and secure NBA Nigeria sponsorship, event and media partnerships
• Develop and maximize networking opportunities with potential and existing sponsors and relevant marketing agencies
• Understand the prospect’s brand DNA and design sales presentations to reflect brand synergies and positioning
• Maintain a strong understanding of industry marketing channels and technologies that clients may utilize in activating an NBA Nigeria sponsorship
• Internal Partnerships:
• Establish and develop close relationships with all the NBA NY global account teams, ensuring that they are proactively informed about all the NBA NIGERIA plans, initiatives, and projects
• Develop and execute a detailed and coherent plan focused on engaging the NBA NY global account teams with exciting and consistent presentations, aiming to get them on board with all the NBA NIGERIA plans, initiatives and projects so those can be considered as key components for all global or regional new partnership opportunities and upsells
• Represent the NBA NIGERIA in global pitches and status meetings, providing relevant information and insights about the NBA NIGERIA’s plans, initiatives and projects, while also outlining clearly how current and potential global partners would receive value through those

Required Skills/Knowledge

• High-level connectivity – client-side and sponsorship/marketing community in general
• Ability to attain and exceed targets. This should involve delivering integrated programs that include media, print, interactive and event-based assets
• Entrepreneurial approach with a strong understanding of business fundamentals
• A track record of securing sponsorship contracts for rights holders in sports
• Knowledge of TV and digital sales, merchandising and communications
• Ability to develop creative solutions which will meet the objectives of prospective partners
• Experience of working within a structured corporate environment
• Business knowledge – being up to date with business/market/industry trends
• A thorough understanding of the sports landscape (basketball and NBA knowledge preferable)
• Experience of working for a high-profile global organization

Experience Needed:

• Minimum of 8 years of sales and/or business development experience
• Strategic thinker – able to shape, develop and execute the strategy for the NBA
• Strong persuading and negotiation skills
• A credible communicator, adept at operating at the board level
• Commercially minded and results-driven
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to work well within a matrixed organization
• A passion for sports, preferred

Educational Background Required

•  Bachelor’s degree required