head of business development: six nations rugby
About the job
Job Title: Head of Business Development
Organisation: Six Nations Rugby Ltd (SNRL)
Location: London, UK (minimum 3 days in office per week, weekend work during match periods)
Contract Type: Full-Time
ROLE OVERVIEW:
Six Nations Rugby Ltd is the official organising body for the Guinness Men’s & Women’s Six Nations, U20s Six Nations, Autumn Nations Series, and other global rugby competitions. Working in partnership with six national unions, SNRL manages centralised media, commercial rights, and competition operations, promoting some of the most iconic rugby tournaments in the world.
Reporting to the Director of Growth, the Head of Business Development will drive sponsorship, advertising, and digital commercial strategies to deliver exceptional growth across multiple competitions. The role involves working closely with agencies, unions, and internal teams to develop innovative commercial programmes and unlock new market opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead sponsorship and advertising sales programmes, maximising current and new partner opportunities across sponsorship, digital, and broadcasting.
Develop innovative sponsorship packages for competitions including the Autumn Nations Series, pathway tournaments, and new global formats.
Manage relationships with agencies (Wasserman and Vision SE) and oversee sponsor pipeline development.
Support creation of detailed, compelling sales materials with a focus on both domestic and international markets.
Lead pitch meetings and negotiations with new sponsors.
Develop digital and content sponsorship strategies in collaboration with Content and Digital Products teams.
Explore and assess new commercial models, including virtual advertising, gaming, and broadcast innovations.
Manage and mentor a Business Development Executive.
Play a senior role in shaping company strategy, culture, and long-term commercial success.WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR:
Essential Qualifications & Experience
Proven track record in securing multi-million £/€ sports partnerships.
Senior commercial leadership experience at an equivalent sporting level with a multi-territory sports brand.
Expertise in building new commercial programmes and monetising digital platforms.
Strong network and understanding of European commercial markets.
Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
Strategic thinker with a relentless focus on results and ROI.
Excellent storytelling, presentation, and stakeholder communication skills.
Cross-functional collaboration and project management skills in dynamic environments.
Fluency in French or Italian is highly desirable.
Core Competencies
Courage – delivers projects to the highest standards, enhancing organisational reputation.
Solidarity – builds strong relationships, navigating complex conversations with ease.
Inclusivity – actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
Integrity – works collaboratively with professionalism and respect.
Creativity – applies innovative thinking and takes measured risks to drive results.
WHAT Snrl OFFER
An opportunity to play a leading role in shaping the commercial future of one of the most prestigious brands in global sport, working at the heart of world-class rugby competitions with a committed, values-led team.
How to Apply:
📝 Submit your application via the button below:
