The Volvo Ocean Race is the Everest of sailing. It is the world´s leading offshore sailing race, competed for by professional teams in state of the art yachts. The race takes place every three years, starting in Alicante and travelling around the world, stopping in iconic ports along the way. The race started in 1973 as the Whitbread Around the World Race, and was bought by Volvo in 1998.
Major brands involved in the last edition of the race included Puma, Telefonica and Ericsson. We are now looking for two sponsorship sales individuals to attract new race and team sponsors for the next race starting in Autumn 2011. One role is for a fluent Spanish speaker based in Alicante, the other role is split between Alicante and London and will focus on International brand partners and sponsors.
The role
• Pro-actively identify potential sponsors and suppliers, prioritising them, pitching the concept of an association with the Volvo Ocean Race and then negotiating commercial deals.
• Work with the Commercial Director to ensure that all ports and teams are fully leveraged in respect of commercial sponsors and partners and that these agreements are activated appropriately through the appropriate channels.
• Be the relationship point between the Volvo Ocean Race and the senior Management of sponsor/brand partners as well as their Sports marketing/activation agencies. Ensure that all parties benefit from the commercial agreement.
The candidates
• A background in sponsorship, business development or media sales, with strong commercial acumen and the ability to work with people at all levels of a company. A track-record in creating and closing complex deals.
• Enthusiastic and energising, able to get other people excited about working with you. Able to step into a global role and build long-term relationships with senior management.
• Fun-loving and easy-going, but driven to succeed and a self-starter
• Fluency in Spanish is a pre-requisite for the Alicante based role.
For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact:
Andrew Bulloss: + 44 (0)20 7529 3953 or
andrew.bulloss@odgersberndtson.co.uk
To apply please go to www.odgers.com/31451
Odgers Berndtson, 11 Hanover Square, London W1S 1JJ
