Business Development Lead

POSITION SUMMARY

• This position plays a critical role in the driving the expansion of NBA India market by leading B2B partnerships growth through business development and partnership management.
• The position will be responsible for establishing and executing new sales strategies and plans to drive sponsorship and merchandise licensing revenue with an integrated approach in India, through strong collaborations across all business groups including but not limited to Global Content & Media Distribution (GCMD), Marketing Partnerships, and Basketball Operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, execute and manage mid to long term strategies that will drive the NBA brand, mission and new revenue streams in areas of sponsorship and merchandising licensing;
• Experienced in full life-cycle new partnership development, account management and monetizing digital content products and services to facilitate the creation of asset value and developing commercial revenue streams;
• Develop and execute business development strategies that are suited for both multinational and domestic-based companies to determine their marketing and/or merchandising objectives;
• Create and deliver clear, concise and compelling presentations that promote merchandise licensing and/or integrated marketing programs that will meet these objectives – such programs may include NBA branded consumer products, media, interactive, and event-based assets.
• Qualify lead generation agencies (if approved) and be responsible for the onboarding and managing and/or co-managing of these agencies;
• Prepare and analyze weekly / monthly / quarterly / annual commercial reports to develop realistic and achievable pipelines and strategies to meet or exceed agreed country revenue targets, supporting Asia regional revenue goals;
• Lead the tracking of global and regional partnership prospects and provide updates to the Senior Leadership Team on strategies and progress;
• Work closely with internal commercial and support function teams (eg. Legal, Finance) to update / guide the sales process from prospect identification to contract negotiations, and to potential partners engagement, for efficient decision-making;
• Partner with the Marketing Team to develop media plans, original sponsored content features, events, and digital marketing support that deliver a strong value proposition for our brand partners and our fans;
• Develop mid and long term strategies that enhances existing partnership relations that are strong and trust-based;
• Maintain a strong understanding of the consumer products related industries (apparel, retail, gaming, branded attractions, digital assets,) to explore and pitch licensing, marketing partnerships and strategic partnerships for new assets development / creating new mutually beneficial business opportunities across industries;
• Maintain an understanding of the sales and marketing activities of prospective clients, as well as the strategic direction of their international markets and competitors;
• Maintain a strong understanding of advertising and marketing channels and technologies in order to understand potential client solutions;
• Lead the research drive and landscape analysis for emerging global industries, categories, international companies, and executives for relevancy and points of entry;
• Support, guide and lead other team members to align on overall business strategies and achieve country level revenue goals;
• Serve as a coach / mentor to junior colleagues;
• Deliver financial results by driving and championing a client-centric commercial driven mindset within the organization;
• Breaking down internal silos to facilitate a cohesive, efficient and profitable business unit;
• Represent the NBA brand within the industry and external stakeholders;

REQUIRED EXPERIENCES, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• At least 10 to 15 years partnership development and management of IP product / merchandise licensing;
• At least 10 to 15 years business development experience, brilliant storyteller through written, verbal, and visual communications;
• A well-established local network to connect with local, regional and multinational business leads and/or key decision makers and maintain those relationships;
• A track record of securing IP licensing and sponsorship contracts for rights holders in sports/entertainment or success in developing new business for other organizations in India;
• Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to shape, develop and execute commercial strategies;
• Possess exceptional negotiating skills to be able to initiate and close business deals;
• A credible communicator, adept at operating at all levels up to Board level;
• Ability to understand, interrogate and translate complex business issues;
• Ability to effectively manage and work within a team and autonomously;
• Ability to work well within a matrixed global organization
• Effectively bilingual in English and Local languages;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint/ Keynote, Excel, and Outlook required.