Business Development Director

Our client is Europe's leading sports memorabilia auction house, the business has a strong foundation of auction expertise, a loyal collector base, and a growing portfolio of partner auction relationships with clubs and sporting organisations. This new Business Development Director role exists to build the commercial layer that will take the business to the next level — new revenue streams, new strategic partnerships, and a scalable BD function built around their brand. THE OPPORTUNITY The Business Development Director will own the full commercial development agenda: building a partner network, developing new revenue verticals, and leading a small but growing team. This is an entrepreneurial leadership role requiring someone equally comfortable in a boardroom, on a pitch, and out in the field. You will already be a seniors sales person from within sport. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Own and execute the commercial strategy to drive revenue growth across auction, partner, valuation, and emerging categories • Build, manage and develop the partner auction network — identifying, pitching and contracting sports • clubs, governing bodies, estates, charities, and brands • Lead, coach and grow a business development team as the function scales • Develop and maintain senior-level relationships with key stakeholders across sport, entertainment, investment, and the collector community • Identify new revenue opportunities, corporate clients, institutional investors, brand licensing, the company Index — and develop the commercial model to exploit them • Work closely with the marketing team to build brand presence that supports commercial objectives • Represent the business at key industry events, trade fairs, and sporting occasions • Report directly to the CEO/Founder with regular pipeline and forecasting accountability IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE • Must have a proven track record in senior commercial/BD roles within sport • Previous P&L ownership responsibility • Experience building or managing a partner or affiliate network from the ground up • People leadership experience — has hired, managed and developed commercial teams • Entrepreneurial mindset — comfortable in a fast-moving, founder-led environment • Strong network within UK sport is highly desirable • Excellent communication and presentation skills — confident at C-suite and board level • Genuine passion for or knowledge of sport is a significant advantage WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE 6 months: Partner network framework in place, first 3-5 new partner auction contracts signed, team structure defined 12 months: Measurable revenue growth from new commercial channels, new BD team members hired and operational, pipeline of institutional/brand clients established