Head Of Sales Lions Riyadh

Job Summary

We are looking for a proven sales leader who can drive and accelerate revenue for this flagship event.

The Head of Sales will lead the commercial strategy and revenue growth for LIONS Riyadh building a premium partnership proposition for global and regional brands agencies media owners technology companies and other organisations seeking to engage with the creative industries.

In this senior role the individual will be responsible for achieving revenue targets whilst leading and developing the sales team to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.

Unlike a traditional event sales role this position requires a highly consultative approach. The Head of Sales will work with clients to understand their brand business and audience objectives and translate these into bespoke opportunities across content experiences hospitality talent activations learning and year-round engagement.

The role is responsible not simply for selling inventory but for building long-term strategic partnerships that enhance both the commercial value and the experience of LIONS Riyadh.

Sales & Commercial Development

Key responsibilities:

• Own and deliver the overall commercial and sales strategy for LIONS Riyadh including revenue targets sector priorities account strategy and go-to-market plans.

• Develop creative commercial propositions that go beyond traditional exhibition space including brand experiences showcases and bespoke participation opportunities.

• Identify and develop high-value strategic accounts across global and regional brands agencies media technology entertainment platforms government-linked organisations and the wider creative economy.

• Lead coach and develop the sales team creating a consultative sales culture focused on strategic account development

• Maintain strong pipeline discipline forecasting and revenue reporting with clear visibility of conversion account progression risks and opportunities.

• Support in the planning and execution of a full rebooking campaign for the exhibition

• Work with Marketing to develop client-facing thought leadership research case studies and proof points that strengthen the commercial proposition.

• Develop a strong understanding of the Saudi GCC and international creative advertising marketing and media landscape to identify new revenue opportunities.

• Use audience insight market intelligence and client research to develop propositions around specific communities sectors and business objectives.

Management:

• Build a commercially ambitious team that understands the LIONS brand and can sell through insight relevance and ideas rather than inventory alone.

• Ensure the team can confidently engage senior clients across brands agencies media technology and the wider creative industries.

• Coach the team to develop consultative and solutions-led sales approaches tailored to client objectives.

• Hold regular training sessions with the team with key takeaways and KPIs

• Create staff development roadmaps for direct reports

• Create and encourage a teamwork culture

• Have regular one to ones with team and conduct annual meetings for objective setting and appraisals

• Identify team members for promotion / advancement to retain talent

Communication:

• Communicate with all group functions within the portfolio on a regular basis to ensure optimal team working

• Liaise and work with the Sales Operations team to ensure timely processing of contracts invoicing floorplan updates etc

• Work closely with Content Marketing Creative Partnerships and Operations to develop relevant and commercially compelling client solutions.

• Ensure client requirements and market feedback are communicated back into Festival planning and product development.

• Maintain strong communication with LIONS to ensure commercial activity is aligned with brand standards and the wider Festival proposition.

Reporting:

• Demonstrate financial and numerical astuteness

• Ensure weekly exhibition figures and pipelines are presented to the Senior Management team

• Prepare reports detailing weekly sales performance and projections for upcoming weeks

• Effective and timely reporting to ensure potential result or resource problem areas are flagged early

• Track performance across client segments products and markets to identify growth opportunities.

• Monitor the quality as well as the value of the commercial pipeline ensuring the right brands and organisations are being attracted to LIONS Riyadh.

• Provide clear market intelligence and client feedback to inform the wider commercial and Festival strategy.

Exhibition Operations:

• Continually liaise with Operations Department with respect to floorplans special events and bespoke client requirements

• Assist and provide support to the Operations team onsite

• Oversee relevant sections of the online exhibitor manual or customer center

• Ensure commercial propositions are operationally achievable and deliver the experience promised to clients.

• Work with Creative and Operations teams to support high-quality brand environments activations and experiences that reflect LIONS standards.

• Maintain a strong focus on the overall Festival experience when allocating commercial inventory and client presence

Exhibition Marketing:

• Show clear understanding of the fundamentals of the marketing processes

• Contribute to the marketing direction and feed into marketing plans and schedules

• Work closely with the Marketing team to design/create and write copy for marketing materials and websites

• Ensure sales narratives clearly communicate the value audience and distinctive positioning of LIONS Riyadh.

• Work with Marketing and Content teams to translate speakers programme audience insights and Festival developments into stronger commercial conversations.

• Support account-based marketing initiatives for priority brands agencies and industry sectors.

Qualifications :

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.

• Degree or professional background in business marketing media communications or a related field is advantageous.

• Relevant senior commercial experience may be considered in place of formal qualifications.

Experience

• Significant senior-level sales or commercial experience within media advertising marketing creative industries technology major events or premium B2B platforms.

• Strong understanding of the advertising media and creative ecosystem is highly desirable.

• Proven track record of delivering ambitious revenue targets and securing high-value strategic accounts.

• Experience selling to major brands agencies media companies technology platforms or similar senior B2B clients.

• Proven experience developing bespoke commercial propositions rather than relying solely on standard inventory.

• Strong network of senior decision-makers across relevant industries is highly desirable.

• Experience in a start-up environment and/or scaling a new business is desirable.

• Experience launching or growing a commercial proposition in a new market would be advantageous.

• Middle East and particularly Saudi/GCC market experience is desirable.

• International commercial experience would be an advantage.

Skills & qualities:

• Good written and oral communication skillsis essential

• Excellent quantitative skills

• Excellent Excel PowerPoint and financial modelling skills

• Strong analytical and presentation skills

• Good attention to detail and accuracy.

• Self-starter with proactive nature and ability to work autonomously

• Experience using SAP TM1 (IBM) and/or Oracle would be advantageous

• Highly collaborative

• Thrives on constant change.

• Middle East experience (desirable)

• Relevant sector experience (desirable)

• Strong understanding of media advertising marketing and the creative industries.

• Highly credible and confident in conversations with CMOs CEOs agency leaders and senior brand decision-makers.

• Creative and solutions-oriented commercial thinker with the ability to turn client objectives into compelling Festival opportunities.

• Excellent relationship-building negotiation and influencing skills.

• Strong storytelling and pitching ability capable of selling the value of the LIONS platform rather than simply individual products.

• Commercially ambitious while sensitive to brand integrity audience experience and editorial credibility.

• Curious about creativity culture media technology and evolving industry trends.

• Culturally aware and comfortable operating across Saudi regional and international markets.

Additional Information :

Core Benefits:

• Medical Insurance for individual and family
• Annual leave 28 days
• Remote working on Sundays
• Working anywhere 2 months every year
• School fees contribution 40000 SAR per child per year (up to a max of three children)
• Wellbeing Benefits
• Residency visa including yearly dependent fees
• Individual annual flight allowance for expats

Local Relocation Package*:

• Paid flight to Riyadh individual and family
• 30 days accommodation or suitable serviced apartment from arrival date or a one-off payment of SAR 5000
• Up to SAR 2500 reimbursement of shipping goods/excess baggage costs

*If eligible

International Relocation Package*:

• Paid flight to Riyadh individual and family
• 60 days accommodation or a suitable serviced apartment from your arrival date or a one-off payment of SAR 5000
• Up to SAR 2500 reimbursement of shipping goods/excess baggage costs
• Paid flight home for individual and end-of-service gratuity payment when leaving the company (if applicable)

*If eligible

We work hard to make sure life at Tahaluf is rewarding supportive and enjoyable for everyone. Were not solely focused on a checklist of skills. We champion energy and ambition and look for colleagues who will roll their sleeves up join in and help make things happen. We dont just accept difference we celebrate it. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and circumstances and base hiring decisions on relevant qualifications and merit. We are proud to provide a disability-friendly environment. If you require any support or adjustments to participate in our interview or selection processes please let us know.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time

Apply Now