Sales & Sponsorship Account Manager

Football Association of Ireland•Dublin, OH

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the national governing body for football in Ireland, driving the growth, promotion, and development of the game at all levels. We are passionate about inspiring participation, supporting talent, and celebrating the power of football to unite communities across the country. With a proud history and an ambitious vision for the future, the FAI is committed to fostering excellence on and off the pitch, ensuring the game is inclusive, accessible, and a source of national pride. The Sales & Sponsorship/Partnerships Account Manager – All Levels is responsible for driving commercial sales across all levels of Irish football—from grassroots programmes to the national teams. This includes securing new partnerships, managing existing partners, and ensuring measurable returns through activations and sponsorship rights. The role requires a proactive, target-driven individual with strong commercial acumen and a passion for football.

Requirements

Experience in sponsorship sales, business development, or account management—ideally in sport, entertainment, or media.
Proven success in achieving sales targets or commission-based earnings.
Ability to manage budgets effectively.
Strong presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to build long-term, trust-based relationships with partners.
Target-driven and commercially minded.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills.
Self-motivated with the ability to manage a sales pipeline independently.
Passionate about football and understanding of FAI’s role in Irish sport.
Commercial sales and business development
Sponsorship activation and account management
Market research and commercial strategy
Proposal and presentation development
Commercial acumen & results orientation
Customer focus & relationship management
Strategic thinking & planning
Teamwork & adaptability

Nice To Haves

Existing network of corporate and agency contacts in Ireland and/or internationally.
Experience in sports marketing, sponsorship activation, or working within a sporting body or rights-holder.
Knowledge of CRM and sales pipeline management tools.
Ability to analyse data and translate insights into sales strategy.
Creativity in partnership ideation and activation concepts.
Understanding of digital and social media trends in commercial partnerships.
Presentation design and proposal development skills (PowerPoint/Keynote/Canva).
Team player with a positive work ethic.

Responsibilities

Identify, pitch, and secure new sponsorship and commercial opportunities.
Develop tailored proposals and presentations for potential partners.
Conduct internal audits of available properties and create customised sales packages.
Monitor industry trends, sponsorship opportunities, and emerging brands in Ireland.
Build a network within the Irish marketing industry to promote football as a commercial opportunity.
Deliver best-in-class presentations and sales materials to secure investment.
Identify upselling opportunities and additional investment from existing partners.
Act as primary contact for assigned partners, ensuring delivery of partnership rights and activations.
Understand partner business requirements and align FAI offerings accordingly.
Plan and execute marketing and promotional campaigns with partners.
Evaluate partnership activations and provide performance insights.
Collaborate with internal teams (Marcomms, League of Ireland, Team Operations) for seamless execution.
Lead the partnership renewal process while seeking new commercial opportunities.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, agencies, and stakeholders.
Conduct account reviews, performance tracking, and reporting for partners.
Promote collaboration across internal teams and showcase successful partner activations.
Monitor sponsorship trends and identify categories or brands aligned with FAI values.
Provide input on pricing models, partnership packages, and inventory management.
Maintain expert knowledge of partner accounts and their broader business objectives.