1.

Job title

Head of Commercial and Brand, Basketball Ireland

Basketball Ireland is the national governing body for Basketball in Ireland. It is part of FIBA, the world governing body for basketball. The organisation’s primary role is to promote, develop, and support basketball at all levels and it receives support from Sport Ireland in this role. We are now looking to recruit a Head of Commercial and Brand.

Location

Dublin Arena

Responsible to

Chief Executive

Responsible for:

Generating commercial income for the organisation, with a particular focus on securing and managing commercial sponsorships and developing new revenue streams. The brand brief is a vital element of the commercial brief. It will also include other important supervisory or liaison responsibilities

Contractual Status

Full time

2.

Role summary

The Head of Commercial and Brand will lead the organisation in income generation from the commercial sector. He/she will set targets, generate income and work across the organisation to manage the delivery of commercial benefits.

This job description below is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in the light of the changing needs of the organisation as determined by the Chief Executive

3.

Key responsibilities,

main tasks and activities

Liaise and work with the Chief Executive to develop and implement a new overall commercial strategy for the organisation, as well as developing the profile of basketball in the business, commercial and brand world.

Develop New Business/Commercial Revenues:

• Help develop a brand/marketing proposition for Basketball Ireland to promote the sport in a credible way
• Implement a robust new business process across the organisation, including research and analysis of potential commercial prospects
• Development of new sponsorship and partnership proposals
• Generating and following up new commercial leads, securing meetings and presenting the organisation and our offer in the most advantageous way
• Working with the Chief Executive to negotiate contracts 
• Look to secure a naming rights contract for a redeveloped National Arena
• Develop a Patrons Programme to take advantage of Irish diaspora, particularly in the USA
• Ensure that commercial partners fit with the brand and do not infringe on other important organisational relationships

Managing sponsorship and partnership relations

• Further
• Further develop the existing sponsorship relationships
• Manage the delivery of benefits for commercial partners including approval on branding design and production of inventory
• Liaising with colleagues on ticketing and event attendance to maximise ticketing and hospitality revenues
• Develop and create a quality hospitality offering at all our key events
• Create and develop a potential new database and digital platforms from a commercial standpoint in association with colleagues
• Liaising elsewhere across the organisation as required in particular with other key internal stakeholders, volunteers and committees
• Develop robust evaluation methodology and review techniques to monitor partnerships, quantify success, and identify areas for improvement
• Maintain accurate records of sponsorships and partnerships electronically and in hard files to ensure accurate reporting to the Chief Executive, to the board, and to partners
• Manage all the commercial licensing contracts and take charge of the retail and online commercial sales propositions
• Network and make contacts with all relevant organisations which may be useful to you in your position, such as Sport Ireland, the OFI and others

Financial management

• Work with Chief Executive to set the income target for the year
• Manage the expenditure of the commercial budget across the year

Shared Responsibility with Colleagues

• Provide significant input to colleagues to maximise the PR/communications, marketing, social media, networking, and other opportunities
• Liaising with colleagues in the delivery of key events and ceremonies
• Relationship management including regular liaison, provision of information, updating the website, assisting with the development of an e-newsletter etc 
• Initiation of and hosting hospitality opportunities where appropriate at key events
• Raising awareness of sponsor needs/objectives across the organisation and amongst other delivery partners

Person specification

DESCRIPTION

1.        Qualifications

Essential

Degree or similar qualification

Current Driving Licence with the ability/willingness to travel countrywide

Desirable

Sponsorship or sales qualification

2.        Experience

Essential

At least three years’ experience in a commercial sales environment 

Proven success in sales including demonstrable success of selling on a one–to–one or one–to–group basis

Proven success of developing client relationships

Proven success of managing/implementing new business pipeline

Proven Computer literacy including email, MS Office, content management systems, generation of high quality presentational materials

Desirable

Proven experience in the sports sector

3.        Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of the commercial environment and sector

An understanding of the sports business landscape

Desirable

An understanding of the sports funding system in Ireland

Personal knowledge of the sports business landscape 

4.        Skills and abilities

Planning and Delivery

Essential

Self-starter, happy to work alone as well as part of a team

Tenacity and drive

Ability to manage multiple projects

Ability to effectively prioritise and plan own workload and remain outcome orientated

Flexibility to respond to external or internal changes, maintaining equilibrium/focus 

Ability to budget and monitor spending

Ability to plan against a timeline and meet deadlines

Desirable

Familiarity with databases and contact management tools and techniques

Problem solving/decision making

Essential

Driven by results with a strong desire to succeed

A positive approach to problem solving, decision making and dealing with a wide range of people including senior stakeholders

Confident and comfortable negotiating with a variety of people at all levels

Ability to remain calm and respond positively to challenging situations and difficulties

 Communications and Influencing

Essential

Ability to influence people and use influencing skills to deliver results 

Ability to assert authority in order to meet agreed timescales

and deadlines and to overcome problems

Excellent listening skills

Impressive communicator, able to present well both verbally and in writing

Excellent inter-personal skills, to liaise and build relationships with existing stakeholders, potential sponsors, and partners as well as internal delivery team

Ability to develop a strong and varied network of contacts across the sponsorship, business/brand and sports industry worlds

Ability to produce presentations and reports and present them as require

Ability to negotiate with and influence a range of people

Charisma and personal presence

Desirable

Existing network of contacts across the sponsorship, business, brand and sports industry worlds

Extensive social media network and/or profile across the industry 

 Management and leadership

Essential

An active approach and willingness to get involved

Ability to influence and engage

Ability to negotiate and deal with conflict

Ability to oversee and coordinate projects

Other Essential Requirements

The willingness to travel to meetings/events and work unsocial hours at weekends and evenings where required

The ability to be flexible and adaptable in performing tasks which are normally outside the job specifications but considered commensurate with the role