Lead the tournament’s commercial and partnership portfolio, from new business development and sponsorship rights packaging through negotiation, activation and partner servicing. Drive sustainable commercial opportunities, safeguard contractual commitments and maintain strong partner relationships aligned with Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (DDFTC) positioning.

Commercial strategy and business development:

• Develop and maintain a structured pipeline of prospective sponsors and commercial partners, with clear targets, priorities and follow-up actions.

• Identify and assess new partnership opportunities that support the tournament’s commercial objectives, audience profile and brand positioning.

• Lead commercial proposals, presentations, rights packaging, valuation and negotiation within approved commercial parameters.

• Prepare revenue forecasts, pipeline updates and recommendations for new or renewed partnership agreements.

Partnership delivery and activation:

• Own the partner servicing plan, ensuring agreed rights, deliverables, branding and hospitality commitments are tracked and fulfilled.

• Oversee partner activations across Centre Court, Fan Village and other tournament touchpoints, coordinating with Venue & Site Operations and relevant delivery teams.

• Act as the senior day-to-day contact for commercial partners, resolving issues promptly and maintaining strong long-term relationships.

• Lead post-event partner reviews, delivery reporting, feedback collection and renewal discussions.

Commercial governance and leadership:

• Work closely with Procurement, Legal and Finance on commercial approvals, contract terms, invoicing and compliance with internal procedures.

• Coordinate with Marketing, Tournament Operations, Broadcast and production teams to align sponsor exposure with the event programme and approved rights.

• Lead and develop direct reports, delegate priorities, monitor performance and ensure clear ownership of business development and servicing activities.

• Monitor commercial performance, contractual obligations and delivery risks; escalate material issues and recommend corrective action.

• Priorities commercial leads, manage partner engagement and allocate work across the commercial team.

• Recommend sponsorship packages, valuations, commercial terms and renewal strategies for approval under the applicable delegation of authority.

• Approve day-to-day partner servicing arrangements and activation coordination within agreed contracts, budgets and operational requirements.

• Accountable for commercial pipeline management, partner service standards, timely rights delivery, accurate reporting and team performance.

• Escalate contract commitments, pricing exceptions, unapproved expenditure, legal exposure or changes affecting venue operations to the relevant approving authority.

• Ensure no contractual or financial commitments are made beyond delegated authority.

• Sponsorship sales and servicing, commercial rights and benefits, proposal development, negotiation, contracts and partner activation.

• Sports sponsorship, tennis tournament operations, broadcast and digital rights, hospitality products and event venue activation.

• Commercial and management skills

• Business development, stakeholder presentations, financial and commercial analysis, negotiation, contract monitoring, project coordination, written communication and people management.

• CRM / pipeline tools, sponsorship valuation models, partner performance dashboards and event activation planning tools.

ESSENTIAL:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Commercial Management, Events or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

  PREFERRED

• Postgraduate qualification or professional training in sponsorship, commercial management or business development.

• Approximately 7–10 years of relevant commercial, sponsorship or partnerships experience, including proven ownership of negotiations, client relationships and team leadership.

• Experience in major sports tournaments, premium events or international sponsorship portfolios, including multi-stakeholder activation delivery.