Business Development Manager - Sports Technology (Multi-Sports Global)

Overview

Join Encycdata, a pioneering startup specializing in innovative software solutions across EdTech, SportsTech, MedTech, Finops, and Event Management. We are seeking a dynamic Business Development Manager to drive commercial growth for a multi-sports learning, training, and tournament platform. This role involves creating strategic partnerships with sports academies, schools, federations, brands, players, and coaches globally, owning the complete sales process from lead generation through post-sale relationship management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute targeted market outreach initiatives to prioritize segments such as academies, schools, sports federations, clubs, pro players, brands, and coaching networks worldwide.
• Build and sustain a global sales pipeline via direct outreach, referrals, events, and channel collaborations.
• Represent the company at industry events including conferences and tournaments to enhance visibility and generate leads.
• Manage full sales lifecycle including discovery, conducting product demonstrations, pilot program design, creating commercial proposals, negotiating terms, and closing deals.
• Craft versatile commercial models including subscriptions, per-athlete licensing, tournament revenue sharing, sponsorship integrations, and enterprise agreements for federations and school networks.
• Oversee key accounts to secure renewals, upsell opportunities, and maximize long-term client value.
• Design customized pilot projects tailored to customer needs highlighting platform features in learning, training, and tournaments.
• Establish success metrics and secure buy-in from stakeholders for pilot initiatives focusing on engagement, retention, performance, and participation.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams such as product development, customer success, coaching, and analytics to deliver timely pilot implementations.
• Formulate go-to-market strategies for launching in new regions, sports disciplines, and product lines.
• Identify and develop sponsorship, brand activation, and merchandising partnerships.
• Determine competitive pricing strategies based on benchmark analysis, customer willingness to pay, and value delivered.
• Leverage platform data and sports performance analytics to build compelling business cases and ROI presentations for partners.
• Collaborate with analytics and product teams to define data needs, dashboards, and reports facilitating partner decision-making.
• Communicate insights vividly to stakeholders including coaches, federation executives, school leaders, and brand managers to enhance adoption.
• Engage with coaches, technical directors, and player representatives to collaboratively develop content, curricula, and tournament formats.
• Work with federations and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and explore official endorsements or integration opportunities.
• Establish ambassador programs involving players and coaches to promote trust and accelerate platform adoption.
• Feed field insights back into product roadmap and content strategy planning.
• Mentor and train junior business development managers, channel partners, and reseller networks.
• Conduct commercial forecasting, maintain CRM accuracy, and provide regular leadership reporting.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 5 years experience in B2B sales or partnerships, ideally within sports technology, educational technology, SaaS, or related sports business roles involving academies, schools, federations, or brand partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in securing enterprise-level or multi-site deals and effectively managing complex stakeholder environments.
• Comprehensive understanding of sports business structures including academy economics, federation funding mechanisms, sponsorship dynamics, and athlete development pathways.
• Strong analytical aptitude comfortable with interpreting sports performance metrics to create commercial value.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with experience delivering product demonstrations and executive-level briefings.
• Proven negotiation skills and commercial insight, including drafting partnership contracts and commercial terms.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel internationally and work across various time zones.

Additional Information

The role is based in Bengaluru, India, with a competitive annual salary range between 450,000 and 650,000 INR. Applicants must hold at least a graduate degree. This position offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to a fast-evolving sports technology platform with global reach.