Head of Sales – Football Schools

Overview

As Head of Sales, you will spearhead the commercial function for Chelsea Football Club’s Football Development arm, driving revenue growth across domestic and international markets. You will design a scalable commercial framework, lead partner and licensee onboarding, and shape pricing and deal structures to expand into new markets. Your role balances strategic market insight with hands-on deal origination, negotiation and renewal, influencing senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams. This is a high-impact, international growth role that connects the club’s youth development expertise with families and partners worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Own the department’s revenue target and end-to-end pipeline across domestic and international portfolio
• Design and implement the commercial operating framework including pricing, deal structures, and governance
• Lead market strategy and pricing, identifying target markets and products, and applying value-based pricing
• Direct and negotiate commercial terms through to contract, coordinating with Legal and Finance
• Develop and manage partner and licensee networks in international markets with due diligence
• Define and price sponsor-funded inventory and coordinate with Partnerships, Strategy and Brand teams
• Lead, develop and performance-manage the commercial team and key client relationships
• Ensure safeguarding and commercial compliance embedded in all agreements and partner activity

Key requirements

• Proven track record in originating, negotiating and closing commercial agreements with revenue delivery against targets
• Experience structuring deals across multiple models (direct operation, licensing, partnerships, franchising)
• Value-based pricing expertise with ability to defend and demonstrate a price position
• Contract negotiation through to signature including licence structures and revenue terms
• Experience identifying and appointing partners or licensees in international markets with due diligence
• Designing and embedding repeatable commercial frameworks, processes or governance
• Strong pipeline and forecast management in a CRM-based environment
• Commercial and financial literacy including margin management and business case development
• Experience leading and developing commercial teams
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders across a complex organisation
• Willingness to travel internationally
• Desirable

• Strategic thinking
• Stakeholder management
• Leadership and people development
• CRM-based forecast and pipeline management
• Value-based pricing
• Deal origination, negotiation and closure

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