Country Head of Kenya (Partnerships / Sponsorships / Business Development) – Nairobi, Kenya at CA Global

Reference Number: FDSCM02

Job Description:

An international sporting client of ours is currently looking for a Country Head of Kenya to develop the business and drive revenue in the Kenya and surrounding markets which will evolve/develop over time. This will include identifying and delivering on commercial opportunities from: new partner prospecting, pitching, negotiating, and securing new corporate partners, to overseeing key relationships across partnerships/sponsorships, TV, digital media, merchandising & licensing, grassroots sport development.

This role will also be responsible for overseeing the relationships with sports federations and clubs in Kenya and developing opportunities to enhance the company’s success.

Responsibilities:

• Business Development:
  • Develop and implement the commercial development and operations strategy for Kenya
  • Target, pitch and close Sponsorships, Event, Marketing and Brand Extension Partnerships including oversight of sales presentations in market, and internal diligence
  • Develop new business opportunities and oversee key relationships across TV, digital media, merchandising and licensing
  • Partner with different business functions across the enterprise to exploit new strategic opportunities
• Operations:
  • Develop a Kenya specific commercial growth and fan engagement strategy in partnership with stakeholders
  • Manage the P&L targets for Kenya
  • Provide a Kenyan market perspective on commercial operations, business opportunities and fan engagement
  • Manage a dotted line cross-functional team of Marketing/Comms, Sport Development, and Office operations
• Marketing:
  • Represent the brand in Kenya and be the face for partners and local opportunities
  • Grow the brand awareness and brand relevance in Kenya from a commercial and fan engagement perspective
  • Maintain an understanding of the sales and marketing activities of prospective clients, as well as the strategic direction of their Kenyan market
  • Oversee event marketing, experiential marketing, media, brand management, promotions – from conception through execution, for Kenya
• Sporting Operations:
  • Oversee and manage key day-to-day relationships with the Federations, clubs, government, and other key influences in the markets across Kenya
  • Seek out business development opportunities

Requirements:

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in a general management, new business development or business operations role
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred but not required
• English language proficiency required, French a plus
• Must have experience in selling and managing partnerships/sponsorships
• Prior expertise working for a sports organization and supporting celebrity/athlete events, preferred, but not required
• Strategic thinker – able to shape, develop and execute the strategy for Kenya
• Kenya market leader with deep relationships, insights, and understands local partnerships, content, grassroots development, monetization, and operations
• Successful track-record building business in Kenya, including securing new partnerships and generating revenue
• Strong persuasive and negotiation skills
• Exceptional relationship-building, written, verbal and presentation skills required
• Ability to work independently in complex and dynamic environment
• Excellent relationships with Kenyan sports federations and clubs
• Deep knowledge of knowledge of partnerships/sponsorships, Media, Digital & Grassroots development
• Ability to develop creative solutions which will meet the objectives of prospective marketing partners
• Strong understanding of the competitive commercial landscape in Kenya
• Must have an entrepreneurial spirit and operational agility
• Willingness to travel significantly to Johannesburg, Senegal and across Africa as required