Head of Sales

Organisation

Hampshire Cricket

Salary

Competitive with commission and based on experience

Location

Utilita Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3XH

Contract type

Permanent (Full time)

Closing date

16 September 2026

Interview date

20 September 2026

Job Description

Department / Area: COMMERCIAL
Reports to: COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
Location: Utilita Bowl & Hilton Southampton
Utilita Bowl, Botley Road, West End, Southampton,
SO30 3XH

The Role

This is a senior commercial role at Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl, responsible for driving revenue growth across partnerships, premium hospitality and year-round event sales. Working closely with the Commercial Director and senior leadership team, the successful candidate will lead new business activity across domestic and international cricket, corporate hospitality, events and major venue opportunities. With a major events calendar, an onsite Hilton hotel and the venue heading into a historic Ashes year in 2027, this is a unique opportunity to help maximise one of the most significant commercial periods in the organisation’s history. The successful candidate will combine strategic sales leadership with hands-on business development, building strong relationships with brands, businesses, agencies and event organisers while delivering ambitious revenue targets across multiple commercial areas.



Key Responsibilities
• Develop and execute an integrated sales strategy across partnerships, hospitality and events.
• Maximise partnership revenue across Hampshire Cricket, Utilita Bowl, domestic cricket, international cricket and Southern Brave where appropriate.
• Drive premium hospitality sales across international fixtures, domestic cricket and major events.
• Grow year-round event revenue
• Lead the full sales process from research, prospecting and lead generation through to proposal development, pitching, negotiation and contract closure.
• Secure significant new commercial partnerships at local, national and international level.
• Build relationships with corporate clients, brands, agencies, event organisers and senior decision-makers across multiple industries.
• Identify opportunities to cross-sell partnerships, hospitality, event space and wider venue experiences.
• Work closely with the Partnerships Manager to ensure the seamless handover and delivery of new commercial partnerships.
• Collaborate with the hospitality, events, hotel, marketing and operations teams to ensure a strong customer journey from sale through to delivery.
• Develop long-term client relationships that generate repeat business and increased customer value.
• Produce accurate sales forecasts, pipeline reporting and revenue projections across all areas of responsibility.
• Set sales targets and monitor performance against agreed KPIs.
• Use CRM systems consistently to manage leads, opportunities, conversion rates and future activity.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity and customer insight to identify new revenue opportunities.
• Represent Hampshire Cricket and Utilita Bowl at industry events, networking opportunities, exhibitions and client meetings.
• Work with external agencies and third-party sales partners where appropriate to support lead generation and campaign delivery.

Experience and Qualifications


Essential:
• At least five years’ proven experience in commercial sales, business development including partnership sales,
• A strong track record of delivering significant revenue growth and converting high-value opportunities.
• Experience working across multiple sales products or revenue streams.
• Proven ability to manage the full sales cycle from lead generation through to negotiation and contract completion.
• Strong pitching, presentation and proposal-writing skills.
• Excellent commercial judgement and the ability to create solutions tailored to client objectives.
• Experience managing senior relationships with corporate clients and decision-makers.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience of working to ambitious revenue targets and managing a detailed sales pipeline.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, products and deadlines.
• A proactive self-starter who can work independently while contributing positively to a wider commercial team.
• Strong CRM, forecasting and sales reporting discipline.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends for matchdays and major events.

Desirable / Preferable:

• Experience within sport, hospitality, hotels, venues, live entertainment or major events.
• Experience selling commercial partnerships or sponsorship.
• Experience selling premium hospitality.
• Experience selling events.
• Knowledge of partnership activation and rights delivery.
• Existing relationships within relevant corporate, agency or event-planning networks.
• A passion for sport, hospitality and live events.

Considerations

All applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK. Utilita Bowl is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to employment practices and behaviours that encourage diversity, promote equality of treatment and eliminate unlawful and or unfair discrimination.

We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our organisation.

How to apply

If you would like to apply please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your career goals and highlight relevant experience - good luck! https://utilitabowl.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoard/Opening.aspx?v=e24ca1d7-a1bd-4308-b9d5-fb80f9f6bbc0

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