Job Title: Business Development Executive
Reports to: Head of Business Development
Department: Commercial
Role Overview:
Hibernian Football Club is a proud and ambitious Scottish football club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase. We are seeking a strategic, creative, and commercially driven Business Development Executive to play a key role in growing club commercial revenues.
This is a new business sales role for someone who thrives on identifying opportunities, opening doors and building relationships. We are looking for a self-starter who is motivated by generating their own pipeline, creating opportunities and converting prospects into long-term commercial partners.
The successful candidate will take ownership of key commercial inventory including Player Sponsorship and Match Sponsorship, while actively identifying and securing new local sponsors, advertisers and commercial partners. They will also play a vital role in developing a strong pipeline of larger partnership opportunities for the Head of Business Development and Commercial Director to convert into principal partnerships.
Alongside driving new business, the role is responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of Player Sponsorships, Match Sponsorships and associated matchday hospitality experiences, ensuring partners receive an exceptional experience that encourages long-term retention and repeat business.
This is not an account management role. We’re looking for a motivated salesperson who enjoys opening doors, creating opportunities and winning new business. Success in this role will be measured by your ability to build your own pipeline, generate revenue and develop long-term commercial relationships for Hibernian Football Club.
Key Responsibilities:
Business Development
· Proactively identify, research and approach prospective commercial partners and sponsors across local, domestic and international markets.
· Build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified sales opportunities through networking, club lead generation platforms, cold outreach, referrals and relationship building.
· Strong data analytics and market research experience, with the ability to interpret commercial data, identify market trends, and generate actionable insights to support business growth.
· Generate new sponsorship and advertising revenue by securing businesses that align with Hibernian FC’s commercial objectives.
· Schedule and attend face-to-face meetings, presentations and networking events to develop new commercial relationships.
· Consistently exceed agreed activity targets including calls, meetings, proposals and new business opportunities.
Partnership Sales
Lead the Club’s sales activity across:
· Player Sponsorship
· Match Sponsorship
· Matchday Hospitality
· Matchday Advertising
· Stadium Advertising
· Digital Advertising
· Seasonal Commercial Packages
· Other commercial inventory as required
The Business Development Executive will take ownership of these products from prospecting through to negotiation, closing the sale and successful delivery.
Sponsorship & Hospitality Implementation
· Manage the end-to-end delivery of all Player Sponsorship and Match Sponsorship packages.
· Coordinate matchday hospitality experiences for sponsors, ensuring every partner receives a first-class experience.
· Act as the primary point of contact for player sponsors and match sponsors throughout the season.
· Work closely with internal departments to ensure sponsorship rights, branding, tickets, hospitality and activation opportunities are delivered to a consistently high standard.
· Ensure sponsorship assets are fulfilled accurately and on time, maintaining excellent client satisfaction and retention.
· Identify opportunities to upsell, renew and expand commercial partnerships through outstanding account management and relationship building.
Relationship Management
· Develop strong relationships with local businesses, decision-makers and the wider business community.
· Represent Hibernian FC professionally at networking events, hospitality functions and Club events.
· Build long-term relationships with sponsors, ensuring an excellent customer journey from initial sale through to activation, delivery and renewal.
· Work closely with internal departments to ensure sponsors receive an outstanding partner experience. Use fan insights and sponsorship performance data to help shape commercial offerings and packaging.
Key Requirements:
· A proactive, self-starting approach with the confidence to identify and pursue new business opportunities without relying on inbound enquiries.
· A proven ability to generate and manage a sales pipeline, from prospecting and lead generation through to negotiation and closing.
· A data-led approach to outreach, optimising partnerships and strong market research experience.
· Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify opportunities that create value for both Hibernian FC and its partners.
· Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage senior decision-makers.
· Outstanding relationship-building skills with a customer-first approach that encourages long-term partnerships and repeat business.
· A highly organised approach, capable of managing multiple sales opportunities and delivering sponsorship and hospitality experiences to a consistently high standard.
· Resilience, determination and a positive attitude, with the ability to overcome objections and remain focused on achieving results.
· The ability to work independently while contributing positively as part of a collaborative commercial team.
· A willingness to represent Hibernian FC professionally at business events, networking opportunities and matchdays.
· A genuine passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and helping drive the Club’s commercial growth.
· Excellent communication, presentation, and project management skills.
· Ability to work flexibly, including matchdays, evenings, and weekends as required.
Desirable:
· Experience within sport, sponsorship, brand activation, advertising, hospitality or events.
· Knowledge of the national business landscape and an existing network of business contacts.
· Experience managing sponsorship fulfilment or premium customer experiences.
· An understanding of the commercial opportunities within professional football.
Pay: £26,000.00-£28,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
