Senior Business Development Representative - German language

Senior Business Development Representative German language • Cologne, Germany

This is a permanent role within Nielsen Sports based in Cologne (hybrid working). You will be focusing on the German, Swiss, Austrian and some Eastern European markets.

Key Responsibilities – New Business Development

This role is centered on driving significant revenue growth through the acquisition of new clients, supported by strategic account development and deep cross‑functional collaboration.

1. New Business Acquisition & Growth (Core Focus)

• Lead Generation & Prospecting: Define target customer segments and actively identify new potential clients and key growth opportunities (hunting).
• Strategic Sales: Take ownership of the full sales cycle, from initial contact and needs evaluation to negotiation and closing C‑level deals.
• Sales Target Accountability: Assume full sales and profitability responsibility for a defined client cluster, managing annual revenue and profit targets.
• Pitch Planning & Execution: Plan, prepare, and execute high‑impact sales pitches and customer meetings, effectively presenting our comprehensive service portfolio.
• Network Expansion: Proactively build and maintain a powerful professional network and high‑level customer relationships within the industry.
• Strategy Implementation: Collaborate on the co‑development and rigorous implementation of ambitious sales strategies tailored to market needs.
• Account Development: Strategically develop selected existing customers by identifying cross‑ and up‑selling opportunities within their organization.
• Proposal Creation: Lead the creation of compelling, high‑quality proposals in close collaboration with relevant subject matter experts.
• Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary, high‑level contact for the customer throughout the entire project lifecycle, ensuring satisfaction and managing expectations.
• Internal Coordination: Guarantee the timely and cost‑optimised delivery of project results (covering media, market research, and consulting solutions) by coordinating closely with all internal departments (Media, Research, Consultancy).
• Product Expertise: Rapidly establish and maintain excellent product knowledge across our entire service suite.
• Team Alignment: Ensure close cooperation, coordination, and knowledge exchange with the wider Sales & Commercial team and peers in different international markets.

2. Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Strategy Implementation: Collaborate on the co‑development and rigorous implementation of ambitious sales strategies tailored to market needs.
• Account Development: Strategically develop selected existing customers by identifying cross‑ and up‑selling opportunities within their organization.
• Proposal Creation: Lead the creation of compelling, high‑quality proposals in close collaboration with relevant subject matter experts.

3. Project Coordination & Collaboration

• Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary, high‑level contact for the customer throughout the entire project lifecycle, ensuring satisfaction and managing expectations.
• Internal Coordination: Guarantee the timely and cost‑optimised delivery of project results (covering media, market research, and consulting solutions) by coordinating closely with all internal departments (Media, Research, Consultancy).
• Product Expertise: Rapidly establish and maintain excellent product knowledge across our entire service suite.
• Team Alignment: Ensure close cooperation, coordination, and knowledge exchange with the wider Sales & Commercial team and peers in different international markets.

4. Representation

Market Representation: Represent the company professionally at trade fairs, conferences, and business events, both as an attendee and potential speaker (“off and on stage”).

Qualifications

1. Required Experience & Expertise

• Professional Background: Minimum of 7‑9 years of proven experience in B2B sales, ideally within complex project and consulting environments.
• Industry Expertise: Proven sales track record specifically within the Sports, Esports/Gaming, and Entertainment business sectors.
• Market Knowledge: In‑depth understanding of the international (especially European) sports ecosystem and its key stakeholders (e.g., rightsholders, brands/sponsors, media partners).
• Network: An established, strong business network within the relevant industry ecosystem is essential.
• Education: Successfully completed university degree (e.g., Sports Management, Media, Business Administration, or equivalent).
• Product/Technical Acumen: Direct industry experience and/or a high level of product knowledge relating to sports or gaming solutions.

2. Key Skills & Competencies

• Communication & Negotiation: Exceptional presentation and communication skills, complemented by strong, proven negotiation experience, particularly at the C‑level.
• Languages: Native German speaker with fluent written and verbal English skills (C1/C2 level).
• Mindset: Highly motivated, results‑driven, and sales‑oriented thinker with strong analytical capabilities.
• Customer Focus: Exceptional customer orientation, a strong service mentality, and high social competence (soft skills) to build lasting relationships.
• Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational skills combined with the ability to manage complex sales processes and prioritise effectively.

Additional Information

For employees outside India and United States: Willingness to serve as a local internal subsidiary director to represent the entity in country, with full support from corporate teams, in governance matters.