Head of Business Development, Europe & Asia

About Marquee

Marquee is innovating the AI-driven operating system designed specifically for professional sports teams. Our platform enhances and automates vital workflows including recruitment, scouting, squad strategy, opposition analysis, and internal performance tracking. Integrating premier global datasets, proprietary machine-learning algorithms, and tailored football intelligence solutions, our platform supports clubs in optimizing performance. Supported by $6.5 million in funding, Marquee is expanding rapidly in data science, AI, and software development sectors, servicing elite clubs across various leagues.

Position Overview

We are searching for a senior, well-connected, and commercially astute Head of Business Development to spearhead Marquee's growth initiatives across Europe and Asia. This leadership role demands hands-on experience working in professional football environments combined with proven success in independently managing intricate commercial negotiations and closures with football clubs. Reporting directly to the CEO and leadership team, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in crafting and implementing our international commercial strategy, eventually building and leading a broader regional commercial team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and be accountable for business development and sales operations across European and Asian football markets.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline comprising professional football clubs, club conglomerates, leagues, and strategic collaborators.
• Leverage an existing network of senior-level football decision makers to initiate business opportunities.
• Navigate the complete sales cycle from discovery, product demonstrations, pilot program design, proposal creation, negotiation, and deal closure.
• Engage directly with club owners, CEOs, sporting directors, technical directors, heads of recruitment, and data analytics leaders.
• Customize sales strategies for a diverse clientele including top-tier clubs, mid-level teams, and those in emerging football markets.
• Represent Marquee at football industry events, club discussions, and strategic alliance meetings.
• Gather and relay detailed market insights to internal product, data, and leadership teams.
• Establish scalable, repeatable sales processes for future regional team expansion.

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive experience in business development or commercial roles within professional football.
• Documented success in securing commercial deals directly with football clubs across various levels and leagues.
• Strong relationships with senior football officials across Europe and/or Asia.
• Deep knowledge of football club operations including recruitment, scouting, sports management, and data-driven analysis.
• Proven ability to manage protracted, multi-party sales negotiations and close significant annual contracts.
• Highly independent with a strong sense of urgency and commercial responsibility.
• Flexibility to travel often throughout Europe and Asia.
• Fluent professional-level English skills.

Desirable Qualifications

• Prior experience in marketing football data, analytics, recruitment, scouting, or performance technologies.
• Background in selling SaaS or enterprise-grade software solutions to sports organizations.
• Competence in piloting and converting initial programs into sustainable, annual contracts.
• Insight into club procurement processes, data licensing, and technology integration.
• Additional language skills relevant to European or Asian markets.

Ideal Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned football commercial expert commanding respect and trust among senior club executives. You proactively identify target organizations, engage key decision makers, create momentum in sales pipelines, and successfully close transactions. Your established network offers crucial market access while your understanding of clients’ needs and value communication drives business success.

What We Provide

• Leadership position within a swiftly growing sports technology firm.
• Direct interaction with company founders and involvement in high-level strategic initiatives.
• Significant accountability for expanding Marquee's presence in key football markets across Europe and Asia.
• Competitive salary complemented by performance incentives and equity opportunities for a top candidate.

Location

This is a fully remote role.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit their CV along with a concise summary detailing:

• The professional football clubs they have personally closed deals with and the nature of those sales.
• Examples of commercial engagements they have led from initial outreach to signed contracts.
• Details of their network across European and Asian football sectors.