Job Description

Location:

Dubai, UAE - Onsite

Type:

Full-Time

Department:

Business Development

About Guardians of the Ball

Guardians of the Ball (GOB) is a digital innovation partner specializing in immersive technologies for the sports industry. We help leading organizations reimagine fan engagement, unlock new revenue streams, and future-proof their digital ecosystems through metaverse-enabled platforms, gamified experiences, and virtual asset strategies.

GOB serves as a trusted digital advisor to global football institutions, federations, and clubs, guiding their transition into immersive, next-generation fan experiences. Our work includes creating hyper-realistic virtual football environments, interactive digital stadiums, real-time match data integration, digital collectibles, mini-games, curated art galleries, and global commerce solutions, all designed to deepen fan connection and amplify brand and partner value.

Role Overview

The Sponsorships Manager will lead the strategy, acquisition, and management of sponsorships for Guardians of the Ball, driving commercial growth through strategic collaborations, brand alliances, and innovative activations that align with our mission and values.

This role will focus on identifying, approaching, and securing brand partners to join the GOB ecosystem, delivering sponsorship opportunities for professional football clubs, federations, and leagues within our network, as well as other GOB-driven initiatives and activations. The ideal candidate will be a results-driven relationship builder with a proven track record in securing high-value sponsorships, ideally within sports, events, or entertainment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Partnership & Sponsorship Strategy

Develop and execute a sponsorship strategy aligned with GOB's commercial objectives. Identify and target high-potential brands and sectors that align with our values and football audience. Create compelling sponsorship packages tailored to partner needs. Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and industry developments in the region.

2. Business Development & Acquisition

Research, prospect, and approach potential sponsors through networking, outreach, and industry events. Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective sponsors, ensuring consistent new business generation. Prepare and deliver high-quality proposals, pitch decks, and presentations to secure new partnerships.

3. Relationship Management

Act as the main point of contact for sponsors, ensuring a high level of client service. Develop strong, long-term relationships with sponsors to encourage renewals and upsell opportunities. Coordinate with internal teams to ensure successful activation and delivery of agreements.

4. Activation & Delivery

Oversee the execution of sponsorship agreements, ensuring contractual obligations are met. Identify opportunities to enhance value for both the sponsor and Guardians of the Ball.

5. Financial & Performance Accountability

Work with the finance team to ensure accurate forecasting, invoicing, and budget tracking for sponsorship revenues. Monitor KPIs and report on the commercial impact of sponsorships.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential:

Proven track record in partnership and sponsorship sales, preferably in sports, events, or entertainment. Strong negotiation skills with the ability to close high-value deals. Excellent presentation and communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to build rapport and trust with stakeholders at all levels. Experience in creating and delivering proposals and pitch presentations. Commercially driven with strong organisational skills.

Desirable:

Knowledge of the sports industry and its commercial landscape. Experience in contract management and sponsorship activation. Existing network of contacts in relevant industries.

Benefits

Salary package with performance-based incentives. Tickets to football matches and tournaments as part of role-related activities. Professional development and training opportunities. Access to a dynamic network within the global football and sports industry. Opportunity to work on cutting-edge digital innovation projects in sports.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: AED4,000.00 - AED6,000.00 per month