Business Development & Marketing Partnerships Lead - NBA Nigeria at The National Basketball Association (NBA)

Position Summary:

• This position plays a key role in generating new sponsorship revenue for NBA Nigeria.
• The employee implements the new business development strategy with a focus on new partnership development - prospecting, pitching, negotiating, and securing new marketing partners. The role requires frequent travel throughout the African region and will work closely with the Marketing, Media, Events, and other groups to create and drive new revenue streams.

Major Responsibilities

Business Development:

• Drive the continued growth and expansion of NBA business and revenues.
• Develop and implement a new business development strategy for NBA, in consultation with the Head of NBA Nigeria and the NBA Head of Commercial.
• 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.
• Create, present, sell, and execute integrated NBA programs and initiatives.
• Support the entire 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 the NBA
• Identify fan engagement opportunities to facilitate greater fan acquisition and one-to-one relationships with the current fan base.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the sales and marketing activities of prospective partners as well as the general advertising, marketing, and technology landscape to understand potential client solutions.
• Maintain a database of highly valuable targets and opportunities.
• Monitor the activity of other sports and entertainment properties in the region.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the business development strategy for NBA Nigeria.

Internal Partnerships:
Partnership Sponsorship:
 

• Prospect, target, pitch, and support securing NBA Nigeria sponsorship, event, and media partnerships
• Develop and maximize networking opportunities with potential and existing sponsors
• Deliver impactful on-brand and on-target partnership programs for new business prospects
• Use storytelling to effectively sell-in partnership ideas to new business prospects
• Develop, visualize, and present customized partnership solutions for prospective sponsors
• Facilitate ideation by leading cross-functional brainstorms to inform creative solutions
• Liaise with colleagues globally across the NBA to uncover business development opportunities
• 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 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 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 NBA Nigeria in global pitches and status meetings, providing relevant information and insights about the NBA Nigeria plan, initiatives, and projects, while also outlining clearly how current and potential global partners would receive value through those.

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Successful track record building business in Nigeria; must have a strong understanding of the market and a network of relationships across all sectors of Nigeria marketing and media landscape.
• Creative storyteller with the ability to sell conceptually.
• 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 in 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 in working for a high-profile global organization.
• Experience in investment banking a plus.

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 Needed

• Bachelor’s degree required