Host Venue Development Manager

About: 

The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds in excess of 100km/h (60mph). Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its sixth season.

SailGP is a global organisation with defined values that shape the culture of its team - Deliver Quality and Consistency; Evolve with Focus; Make it Count; Stand Together and Strike a Balance.

Summary: 

SailGP is seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Host Venue Development Manager to support and manage the host venue procurement process for the Rolex SailGP Championship, directly contributing to the global expansion and commercial success of the league.

This is a pivotal, hands-on opportunity to strategically build and nurture a robust, world-class pipeline of exceptional locations for the global SailGP calendar.

Reporting to the Head of Host Venue Relations, the successful candidate will be instrumental in crafting compelling global and market-specific sales materials, conducting insightful, creative research to empower the sales process, and ensuring the robust overall project management of the host venue procurement.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Lead on the development of all materials and documents to support the sales process including global & market-specific sales documents, market briefs, proposals, bid documents and technical materials (requirements needed to host SailGP)


• Overall project management of the process, implementing a robust CRM system to support internal reporting and pipeline management, including owning key leads


• Support in researching relevant host venue prospect and city information, including the development of briefs on prospect venues to support pitch meetings, as well as providing relevant commentary on key markets and industry trends


• Collaborate with the SailGP Data and Insights team to maintain an up-to-date dashboard of host venue reporting metrics, to feed into materials 


• Liaise with the SailGP Partnerships Team to support in the development of hosting programs for prospective host venue partners and existing host venue partners at SailGP events


• Support the wider SailGP Commercial Sales Team with information on prospective events to support League and Event partnership discussions


• Such other duties as reasonably required by SailGP for the successful performance of the role

Key Expectations:

• Champion an inclusive environment where diversity is valued


• Advocate and promote SailGP Values and contribute to a positive culture


• Operate with a financially responsible mindset and strive for the commercial sustainability of SailGP


• Consider how each team action contributes to Better Sport, Better Planet

About You: 

• 5+ years of demonstrable commercial development experience, within the global sporting/events industry


• Proven expertise as a confident communicator, adept at cultivating and maintaining professional relationships with both C-suite and colleagues


• Experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder processes end-to-end


• Excellence in conducting research, analysis and in managing data, particularly in a commercial sales environment 


• Robust project management skills


• Strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop creative solutions to problems


• A strong interest in sports and in-depth knowledge of how global sports properties operate

Attributes:

• Impeccable attention to detail with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines


• Strong strategic thinking capabilities with demonstrated problem-solving skills


• Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to deliver excellence and exceed expectations


• Adept at navigating the intersection of government relations and commercial enterprise


• Ability to operate both independently and in a collaborative, team environment


• Ability to work effectively and thrive in a fast-paced environment


• Self-starter, action-oriented, resourceful; can take a project or program from start to completion


• A passion for sport and entertainment


• Culturally sensitive and able to effectively work globally
  

Location:

• Hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days per week in the London Office


• Potential international travel may be required