Commercial Partnerships Sales Manager

Overview of Position

As Commercial Partnerships Sales Manager, you will be responsible for new partnership generation for our clients through identifying commercial opportunities, developing partnership proposals, and in addition supporting the broader team in achieving the successful sale of our world-class partnership assets for SportFive APAC.

You are a highly motivated individual, with excellent strategic and consultative sales and marketing capability.

You possess excellent commercial acumen, outstanding presentation and communication skills and are a genuine collaborator willing and able to lead by example.

You will develop a detailed understanding of the premium sporting assets that SportFive represents and the benefits a marketing partnership can deliver brands for successful business outcomes aligned to their strategic business objectives.

This role reports directly to the Vice President Commercial Partnerships, SportFive (SEA) and focuses on generating and enabling commercial and new business outcomes for SPORTFIVE's APAC business.

Primary Responsibilities:

Your primary focus will be Brand Partnership Sales, including:

1. To secure sponsorship deals by Southeast Asian - ASEAN (& APAC) headquartered brands investing into our SportFive APAC priority assets - ASEAN United FC (ASEAN Men's, Women's, U23s, Club Championships).
2. To secure sponsorship deals by Southeast Asian - ASEAN (& APAC) headquartered brands into our domestic asset in China, the China Women's Open Golf Championship (and further additional CLPGA events to be added in Greater China and in ASEAN in future).
3. To secure sponsorship deals by South-East Asian - ASEAN (& APAC) headquartered brands into Asian Games & Asian Para Games 2026 (Nagoya, Japan).
4. To secure sponsorship deals by South-East Asian - ASEAN (& APAC) headquartered brands intothe International Masters League (IML) - 2026 edition.
5. To connect international brands who are based in APAC with growing presence and operations, with the right SportFive owned or represented assets.

Priority Sales Focus (SportFive APAC):

1. ASEAN United FC (AUFC) - Southeast Asia Focus Hyundai Cup - ASEAN United Men's Championship

• MSIG Serenity Cup - ASEAN United Women's Championship
• Shopee Cup - ASEAN Club Championship
• ASEAN United U23s Championship
• ASEAN United FC All Stars Championship

2. China Women's Open Golf - Shanghai, China

3. International Masters League - Cricket (IML) - India (MESA Asset)

4. Asian Games 2026 & Asian Para Games 2026 - Nagoya, Japan

Secondary Sales Focus (SportFive APAC):

5. South Asian Football Federation (SAFF United FC) - (MESA Asset)

6. Aston Martin F1 Team (APAC focused deals)

7. F1 Driver led - Premium Hospitality + Driver Endorsement deals

SEA / APAC - Global Sales Organisation (SportFive GSO Interface)

- Global Priority Assets and Sales

Support SportFive GSO sales efforts in APAC, for new brand partnerships and commercial revenues for SportFive premium international assets under our Global Sales Organisation (GSO).

As of 2025, including:

i. Borussia Dortmund FC:

o Sleeve, Training Kit, China Regional Partners

ii. EAFC

o In game advertising

iii. F1 x Team Partnerships

iv. Manchester United FC

o Training Kit and Partnerships

v. NBA

o Team Related Deals (Celtics, Mavs, Bulls, Heat, Raptors)

Key Responsibilities

Continually develop prospect lists by using macro and micro trends and your deep understanding of brand marketing in the Southeast Asian and APAC markets to identify relevant opportunities for brands with our clients

1. Developing strong relationships with prospective new clients via all touchpoints including phone, email, linked-in, networking events and meetings, etc.
2. Building and maintaining an active pipeline of brand prospects and their key stakeholders.
3. Leading commercial partnership discussions, including proposal development, pitch presentations(s) and negotiation of commercial terms.
4. Negotiating commercial marketing partnership contracts with, and on behalf of, the rights-holders portfolio of assets.
5. Contributing to the Go to Market commercial partnership strategy with the SportFive assets, maximising sponsorship revenue in Cash (and Value in Kind, where required).
6. Work with the SportFive APAC team to meet and exceed both individual and team growth revenue targets.

About You:

• You're a highly motivated sales and marketing professional with a track record in generating revenue through partnership sales, ideally within sport, with at least 3-5 + years experience.
• A strategic and consultative sales capability, including the ability to create customised partnerships in response to individual corporate needs and objectives.
• You can develop a contact structure with brands and extend their network, building strong and reliable relationships.
• You also have an ability to prioritise multiple work streams in a demanding, time-sensitive environment.