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Global Partnerships Manager, Tennis Events
MARI
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Full Time
Manager
Hybrid
3 weeks ago
Sponsorship SalesBusiness DevelopmentClient Relationship ManagementNegotiationSales StrategyCRM Management
Free
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About the Role
MARI Group is seeking a Global Partnerships Manager to lead commercial growth and partnership programmes for its WTA 500 event (Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open) and contribute across the wider portfolio.
Key Skills for This Role
Sponsorship SalesBusiness DevelopmentClient Relationship ManagementNegotiationSales StrategyCRM Management
Responsibilities
- Lead partnership sales for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and support with other MARI Tennis events when needed
- Identify, develop, and close high value sponsorship opportunities across priority categories
- Maximize sponsorship revenue by developing new relationships and identifying opportunities across priority sectors
- Identify new categories, brands, and partnership models to drive incremental revenue
- Contribute to commercial strategy, pricing frameworks, and go to market approach across events
- Develop and present bespoke commercial propositions aligned to client objectives and event positioning
- Lead negotiations through to contract signature, ensuring all commercial terms are delivered
- Proactively identify and approach target brands, agencies, and partners to drive new business
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients at senior levels
- Manage and grow existing accounts through renewals, upselling, and long term partnership development
- Maintain accurate CRM records, sales pipeline, and client database
- Support on site delivery of sponsorship and hospitality programmes during events
Requirements
- 6+ years’ experience in sponsorship sales, event sales, or commercial partnerships
- Experience in the UAE and/or Middle East markets (essential)
- Proven track record of delivering high value sponsorship deals and achieving revenue targets
- Strong understanding of the end to end sales process
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage senior client relationships
- Solid knowledge of the brand and sponsorship landscape
- Experience working across multiple events or properties, ideally within sports or live events
- Strong capabilities in client presentations, proposal development, and face to face sales
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
Full Job Posting
About MARI Group
- MARI is a global events and experiences company with a portfolio of world class live properties spanning sport, art, lifestyle, and entertainment. These include major international tennis tournaments, Frieze, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, TodayTix Group, and Barrett Jackson.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead partnership sales for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and support with other MARI Tennis events when needed
- Identify, develop, and close high value sponsorship opportunities across priority categories
- Maximize sponsorship revenue by developing new relationships and identifying opportunities across priority sectors
- Identify new categories, brands, and partnership models to drive incremental revenue
- Contribute to commercial strategy, pricing frameworks, and go to market approach across events
- Stay ahead of market trends to continuously evolve the sponsorship offering
- Develop and present bespoke commercial propositions aligned to client objectives and event positioning
- Lead negotiations through to contract signature, ensuring all commercial terms are delivered
- Proactively identify and approach target brands, agencies, and partners to drive new business
- Develop strong industry networks and maintain high levels of outbound sales activity
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and sector opportunities to inform sales strategy
- Contribute to the development of commercial strategy, pricing, and partnership frameworks
You Have These
- 6+ years’ experience in sponsorship sales, event sales, or commercial partnerships
- Experience in the UAE and/or Middle East markets (essential)
- Proven track record of delivering high value sponsorship deals and achieving revenue targets
- Strong understanding of the end to end sales process, from lead generation through to negotiation and contract closure
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage senior client relationships
- Solid knowledge of the brand and sponsorship landscape, including how brands evaluate and invest in partnerships
- Experience working across multiple events or properties, ideally within sports or live events
- Strong capabilities in client presentations, proposal development, and face to face sales
- Existing network of brand and/or agency contacts is highly advantageous
- Knowledge of tennis or sports sponsorship is a plus
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
We’d Love If You Also Have These
- Ability to network and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Confident individual with ability to have a positive impact on the culture of the company
- Team player with ability to understand all elements of the event portfolio
- Ability to handle pressure, remain professional and stay calm when dealing with difficult situations
- Excellent time management and prioritisation skills
- Strong record of accomplishment in a sales role
- Ability to fit into an existing organisational structure and culture and act as a role model
- Ability to plan and execute a yearly sales cycle for multiple Events
- Confident individual with ability to have a positive impact on future direction of the series and demonstrable experience in turning leads into contracted revenue
Travel & Working Conditions
- UAE based travel for meetings and networking events
- International travel from time to time to other MARI Events and company meetings
- Permanent or Fixed Term Position – Location: Permanent, based in Dubai
- Working hours are: 9am to 6pm
- Working days are: Monday to Friday
- Weekend work on occasions
Benefits
- Hybrid work environment (blend of in office and at home days)
- Pension match and access to a bespoke pension scheme
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced gyms, wellness and financial wellbeing apps access via Wellhub
- Flexible Paid Time Off
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