Manager Sponsorship Sales MENA

Team: Sponsorship Activity: Full-time Role grade: Manager (6) Direct reports: 0 Indirect reports: 0 Reporting to: Director Sponsorship & Advertising Role location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Job Purpose: As the Sponsorship Sales Manager (Saudi/MENA), you will lead the commercial development of the Esports Foundation within the Kingdom and the wider region. This role requires a strong understanding of commercial sales and a deep understanding of the MENA region, specifically how rightsholders interact with Saudi. You will be responsible for identifying, pitching, and closing multi-million dollar partnerships that align regional leaders with EWC’s global vision. Acting as a market evangelist, you will educate regional brands on the value of gaming and esports, demystifying the sector to unlock new revenue streams. You will own the regional commercial strategy, developing packages and navigating the specific cultural and business nuances of the region to deli ver against aggressive revenue targets. Duties and Responsibilities Revenue Generation & Deal Execution - Identify, pitch, and secure sponsorship deals with Saudi and MENA regional brands, managing the full sales cycle from lead generation to contract signature. - Maintain a robust pipeline of qualified leads across key regional sectors (e.g., Telco, Banking, Energy, Tourism, FMCG) to meet and exceed individual revenue targets. - Structure and negotiate complex commercial terms, collaborating with Legal and Finance to ensure deals are commercially viable and inventory is available. - Develop tailored sales proposals that map EWC assets to the specific business challenges and marketing goals of regional brands. Market Development & Evangelism - Own the commercial strategy for the Saudi and MENA markets, identifying high-potential categories and untapped revenue pools. - Lead the education of the local market on the value of esports, gaming culture, and the EWC platform, positioning it as a premium vehicle for reaching youth demographics. - Represent EWC at key industry events, economic forums, and C-suite networking opportunities to maintain top-of-mind awareness among decision-makers. Strategic Networking & Relationship Management - Leverage an extensive "black book" of contacts within Saudi private sector leadership, government-related entities (GREs), and media holding groups. - Build strong alliances with regional media agencies to ensure EWC is included in annual media planning cycles. - Navigate complex stakeholder maps within large family conglomerates and government entities to reach key decision-makers. Internal Collaboration & Reporting - Provide real-time market intelligence to the central Commercial team regarding regional pricing sensitivity, competitor activity, and brand sentiment. - Collaborate with the Sponsorship Account Management team to ensure a smooth handover from sales to execution, ensuring promises made during the pitch are deliverable. - Update the CRM and sales tracking tools weekly to provide visibility on pipeline health and forecast accuracy. Education and Experience - Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field. - 5+ years experience in sponsorship sales, media sales, partnerships, or business development. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Deep understanding of global sports and/or esports governance, national representation structures, and country-based competitive systems. - Strong diplomatic and intercultural communication skills, with experience managing sensitive international relationships. - Proven people leadership skills with experience managing, developing, and performance-guiding cross-functional teams. - Strong capability in developing clear, compelling strategic presentations, with the ability to translate complex governance, stakeholder, and operational topics into executive-ready materials. - Advanced capability in designing governance frameworks, eligibility structures, and compliance processes. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English & Arabic. - Exceptional project management and event planning skills. - Skilled at conflict resolution, high-pressure decision-making, and crisis management. - Ability to operate across diverse cultural contexts and support countries with varying levels of esports maturity. Benefits - Relocation support - Transportation allowance - Competitive compensation - Housing allowance - VIP medical insurance - Opportunity to work on a new exciting project with a group of passionate professionals. You will get the freedom to excel and make a real impact Diversity disclaimer Our mission is to build a diverse organization where our members, regardless of background or identity, have a sense of belonging. We genuinely believe that thanks to creating a collaborative environment where different perspectives are valued, we can achieve more. Together, we want to reshape the boundaries of what is achievable in the esports domain.