Head of Partnerships

About InkuPlay

InkuPlay is an expanding enterprise at the nexus of gaming, esports, digital entertainment, content, and community. We create sustainable structures, formats, and partnerships that connect brands, talents, players, and communities.

As a dynamic company, we offer agile decision-making, significant creative freedom, and the chance to significantly shape the development of our commercial partnerships from the outset.

Role Overview

We are seeking an entrepreneurial, sales-driven, and strategically seasoned leader to join our management team as Head of Partnerships. You will oversee the strategic and operational expansion of our partner and sponsorship business, identifying suitable brands, companies, platforms, and strategic collaborators. You will craft compelling partnership models and lead negotiations through to contract closure.

This role transcends traditional sponsorship packages; working alongside internal teams, you will develop customized partnerships that deliver measurable, long-term value to InkuPlay, our partners, and our community. Close collaboration with the executive management, as well as marketing, content, esports, events, legal, and finance departments, is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive partnership and sponsorship strategy.
• Establish a structured and resilient partner network.
• Identify and actively engage potential sponsors, brand partners, and collaborative companies.
• Acquire new domestic and international business partners.
• Develop tailored sponsorship, activation, and collaboration concepts.
• Create professional presentations, pitch decks, proposals, and partnership packages.
• Independently prepare, lead, and follow up on contract and pricing negotiations.
• Manage the entire sales process from first contact to contract completion.
• Maintain and strategically evolve existing partnerships.
• Develop up- and cross-selling opportunities within current client relationships.
• Coordinate partner activations with marketing, content, social media, esports, and events teams.
• Ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations and deliverables.
• Build and maintain transparent CRM, pipeline, and reporting systems.
• Create revenue plans, forecasts, and regular management reports.
• Analyze market, competition, and industry trends.
• Represent InkuPlay at industry events, trade fairs, conferences, and partner meetings.
• Plan the future development and leadership of a partnership and sales team.

Qualifications

• Several years of professional experience in partnerships, sponsoring, business development, sales, or key account management.
• Proven track record in acquiring and managing partners or sponsors.
• Preferably experience in gaming, esports, sports, entertainment, media, technology, creator economy, or digital platforms.
• Strong understanding of brand collaborations, sponsorship activations, and commercial partnership models.
• Excellent sales, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Existing network with brands, agencies, rights holders, media companies, or relevant decision-makers is advantageous.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with solid understanding of business economics.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into compelling and comprehensible partnership concepts.
• Structured, independent, and results-oriented approach to work.
• High level of initiative, responsibility, and reliability.
• Professional and confident demeanor.
• Fluent in German and English, both spoken and written.
• Proficient in CRM systems, presentation software, and digital collaboration tools.

A specific degree is not required; more important are your accomplishments, network, entrepreneurial thinking, and ability to build sustainable partnerships.

Benefits

• Key leadership role with direct cooperation with the Founder & CEO.
• Significant creative and decision-making authority.
• Opportunity to strategically and operationally build the partnership division from the ground up.
• Short decision-making pathways and flat hierarchies.
• Dynamic work environment within the gaming and esports industry.
• Flexible working hours.
• Option for hybrid or remote work arrangements upon agreement.
• Modern digital work and communication tools.
• Participation in events, fairs, tournaments, and partner activities.
• Development opportunities within a growing company.
• Competitive compensation with potential performance-based bonus schemes.
• Possibility for long-term equity or incentive solutions depending on performance and responsibility.