Head of Sports Marketing & Showbiz

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Sports Marketing & Showbiz to lead our strategic sponsorship and brand alliance initiatives across Indias premier sporting leagues and entertainment platforms. This leadership role demands a commercially astute individual with deep industry networks, creative deal-making abilities, and a proven track record of driving multi-crore sponsorship deals in the sports, media, and entertainment ecosystem.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for crafting and executing integrated marketing and partnership strategies that elevate brand value, unlock new revenue streams, and enhance audience engagement across large-scale sports and showbiz properties.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Sponsorship Acquisition

- Design and drive the overarching sponsorship strategy for marquee sports and entertainment assets, aligning with organizational goals and market trends.

- Identify high-potential brand partners through market intelligence, industry trends, and data-driven audience profiling.

- Orchestrate the end-to-end sponsorship lifecyclefrom prospecting and pitch development to deal closure and post-campaign analytics.

Commercial Negotiations & Partnership Development

- Lead high-stakes commercial negotiations with CXOs, brand custodians, and global agency partners to secure high-value, long-term sponsorship deals.

- Create customized, ROI-driven partnership models and integrated marketing solutions tailored to brand objectives.

- Structure sponsorship packages that balance commercial goals with brand storytelling and fan engagement.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Serve as the principal liaison between internal teams (marketing, legal, content, activation, finance) and external sponsors, ensuring seamless delivery and fulfillment of all obligations.

- Champion a collaborative culture across teams to deliver premium partnership experiences and measurable impact.

Brand Positioning & Innovation

- Develop high-impact marketing narratives, IPs, and activations that enhance the visibility and prestige of our sports and showbiz properties.

- Leverage digital, OTT, influencer, and on-ground channels to amplify brand engagement and campaign reach.

- Introduce innovations in rights packaging, fan experience, and branded content to stay ahead of industry dynamics.

Performance Monitoring & ROI Management

- Define and track key KPIs related to brand exposure, campaign effectiveness, audience metrics, and partner satisfaction.

- Lead post-event evaluations, performance reporting, and renewal negotiations with a focus on value maximization.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

- 8-15 years of progressive experience in sports marketing, sponsorship sales, media rights, or brand alliances.

- Strong network across consumer brands, media agencies, and sports/entertainment industry stakeholders.

- Demonstrated success in closing multi-crore sponsorship deals and managing strategic brand relationships.

- MBA in Marketing, Sports Management, Media, or equivalent from a reputed institution (preferred).

Key Competencies

- Executive presence with excellent negotiation, persuasion, and stakeholder management skills.

- Strategic thinker with strong analytical capabilities and commercial acumen.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

- Passion for sports, entertainment, and pop culture with an entrepreneurial mindset.