Business Development Lead
Location: Alkmaar, Netherlands - Beyond Sports Head Office (Onsite)
At Beyond Sports, we create experiences that sports fans can’t live without. As a pivotal member of Sony’s Sports Businesses, Beyond Sports is at the forefront of digital fan engagement technology, crafting unparalleled experiences for sports enthusiasts worldwide.
We are looking for a Business Development Lead who will play a crucial role in spearheading our business development initiatives, to grow our already high-profile partner portfolio, including the Premier League, World Rugby, MotoGP, FC Barcelona, NFL and AFL, and lead our continued expansion into new markets such as the US and MEA. This role is perfect for a strategic-minded but hands-on leader who can execute our vision, lead our business development team, and optimise our ways of working and processes. You will drive the company’s growth by taking ownership of day-to-day business development operations and supporting the Managing Director in focusing on high-level strategic initiatives. Your efforts will directly contribute to identifying opportunities and winning new business for the company.
You will also work closely with leads from the other successful Sony Sports Businesses such as Hawk-Eye Innovations - to bring differentiated positioning and products to the Sports digital market.
This role involves international travel and the opportunity to shape the future of sports technology and fan engagement at a global scale.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead and Execute on Business Development Strategy and Execution
Drive the implementation of our business development strategy, ensuring the team is aligned with our company's mission and objectives.
Take ownership of key business development processes, from lead generation to client onboarding, and continuously seek ways to improve them.
Influence product strategy based on market feedback, research, and demand, ensuring Beyond Sports remains at the cutting edge of fan engagement technology.
Develop and enforce best practices for managing client relationships and competitive proposals, including RFPs (Requests for Proposals) and tenders.
Execute a global commercial strategy, with a strong focus on expanding our presence in the US, MEA and other key regions.
Drive the success of the business beyond just the commercial function, ensuring alignment with Sony Sports Business's overarching goals.
Collaborate with Sony Sports Group companies to leverage global relationships and resources, enhancing Beyond Sports’ market position and creating differentiated cross-Sony products.
Win New Business!
Lead the charge in winning new business, from identifying potential clients and qualifying opportunities to owning and crafting compelling proposals and closing deals.
Negotiate contracts and agreements with new clients, ensuring favourable terms for both parties and a smooth transition to the onboarding phase.
Work closely with our Partnership Director, supporting our ongoing partner success.
Cultivate and Lead a High-Performing Team
Lead, mentor and coach the business development team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and high performance.
Act as a role model, providing guidance and support to help team members enhance their skills and achieve their full potential.
Delegate tasks effectively, empowering your team to take ownership and contribute to shared goals.
Align team efforts with the broader objectives of the Sony Sports Businesses, fostering synergy and shared success across the group's companies.
Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration
Facilitate cross-cultural collaboration within the team, ensuring a cohesive approach to global market challenges and opportunities.
Collaborate closely with the Managing Director and other leaders to manage and respond to proposals, taking the lead on drafting and submitting high-quality bids.
Work with internal teams, including marketing and product development, to ensure our business development efforts are aligned with company-wide initiatives.
Provide valuable market feedback to internal teams to help shape our product offerings and go-to-market strategy.
Analyse Performance and Optimise Processes
Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for the business development team, providing regular reports and actionable insights.
Use data-driven analysis to identify trends, forecast future performance, and recommend strategic adjustments.
Implement new tools and technologies to streamline workflows and increase the team's overall efficiency.
Qualifications and Skills:
A proven leader with extensive experience in business development, preferably within the digital technology or sports industry.
Demonstrated success in managing high-profile international client relationships and negotiating complex deals.
Familiarity with global market dynamics, particularly in the US and MEA, and the ability to adapt strategies to diverse cultural contexts.
You have a track record of successfully leading, mentoring, and motivating teams to exceed their targets.
You possess excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues.
You are a strategic thinker, yet have a hands-on, proactive approach to problem-solving and execution.
You are a data-driven decision-maker with strong analytical skills and a passion for process improvement.
You have a deep understanding of the full sales cycle, from prospecting to closing, and are an expert in managing complex procurement processes like RFPs.
Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
You’ll be joining a team of pioneers working on complex challenges at the intersection of sports, real-time graphics, and AI. This is a chance to apply your expertise in a warm, close-knit team that values individual initiative, celebrates success, and is passionate about building what's next.
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, we would love to hear from you!
