Business Development:
- Drive the continued growth and expansion of the NBA business and revenues
- Develop and implement a new business development strategy for the NBA, in consultation with the Head of NBA Kenya 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
- Manage 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 Kenya
Partnerships Sponsorship:
- Prospect, target, pitch, and secure NBA Kenya 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 the brand synergies and positioning
- 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 Kenya 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 Kenya 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 Kenya plans, initiatives, and projects so those can be considered key components for all global or regional new partnership opportunities and upsells
- Represent the NBA Kenya in global pitches and status meetings, providing relevant information and insights about the NBA Kenya 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 Kenya; must have a strong understanding of the market and a network of relationships across all sectors of Kenyan 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 Required:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred but not required
