Operations & Business Development Director - Sport Innovation Center

Your role

We are looking for a Operations & Business Development Director to join our client's team in Valencia and support our mission to shape the future of sport through innovation and collaboration.

Your Mission

In this role, you will be responsible for leading the launch, development, and long-term sustainability of our client's new Testing Lab office in Valencia. This person will ensure the strict compliance with contractual agreements and KPIs established with the project promoter, while directly driving revenue growth and guaranteeing the financial self-sufficiency of the Lab within three years.

This role requires a strategic, sales-driven executive with a strong entrepreneurial mindset, leadership skills, and the ability to structure complex business opportunities and partnerships. The successful candidate must be able to build, lead, and motivate a high-performance team and manage all business development processes using CRM tools.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure full compliance with the contractual agreements and KPIs established with the promoter.

• Achieve sales targets through the development of diverse revenue streams, including testing services, memberships, events, sponsorships, and training programs.

• Design, implement, and monitor the strategic plan to guarantee the Testing Labs financial sustainability within three years, with direct accountability for the P&L.

• Build, lead, and develop the Testing Labs local team, ensuring operational excellence.

• Drive the successful matchmaking of pilot projects between startups, sports entities, and technology companies from the region and internationally.

• Manage the commercial pipeline using CRM tools, ensuring proper follow-up, client tracking, and deal closing.

• Lead the attraction, engagement, and loyalty building of both international and local companies by offering high-value activities such as networking sessions, workshops, and exclusive events.

• Identify and activate new business opportunities, including potential strategic partnerships on both national and international levels.

• Leverage the our client's existing ecosystem (partners, startups, international members, and programs) to accelerate project success and partnership building.

• Represent the Testing Lab and the our client at key industry events and contribute to positioning Valencia as a leading global sports innovation hub.

• Provide regular progress reports to the promoters Steering Committee and the our client's central management team.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in the sports, technology, innovation, or strategic consulting sectors, preferably in leadership or business development roles.

• Proven track record in complex B2B sales, relationship management, and revenue generation.

• Demonstrated ability to build, lead, and manage teams effectively.

• Strong knowledge and practical experience with CRM tools and sales pipeline management.

• Solid project management skills and proven ability to meet KPIs and financial targets.

• Knowledge of the sportech ecosystem, technology trends, and open innovation processes is highly desirable.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills, both in Spanish and English.

• Results-oriented, strategic thinker with a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to lead a high-impact project with strong local and international visibility.

• The chance to build and manage your own team and lead the entire operation of the Testing Lab.

• The opportunity to be part of our client's global innovation network and to work at the forefront of the international SporTech industry.

• A dynamic, flexible, and growth-oriented work environment.