About Professional Fighters League  

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global mixed martial arts organization and one of the world’s leading combat sports properties. PFL produces live, premium MMA events broadcast and streamed to fans in more than 170 countries through an extensive network of international media partners. The organisation features a roster of professional fighters representing the highest levels of international mixed martial arts competition.

Headquartered in the United States, PFL holds events across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with continued global expansion underway. PFL is backed by leading institutional investors and professional sports team owners, reflecting the accelerating growth of MMA as a mainstream global sport.

Europe, the Middle East and Africa are key strategic markets for PFL, offering significant commercial upside and a growing platform for international expansion. The organisation already stages a meaningful number of high-profile events in the region and is looking to increase that footprint further. Backed by leadership change, new institutional investment and fresh capital, PFL is positioned for a period of accelerated growth and global scaling.

Role Overview

The SVP/VP – Head of Commercial EMEA & Africa will play a critical role in the organisation’s growth trajectory. Reporting into the Chief Commercial Officer, this person will have full P&L responsibility across EMEA & Africa and will shape the commercial direction of a growing and disruptive organisation that is focused on innovation, premium fan engagement and sustained international expansion. The role will carry leadership responsibility across partnership sales, licensing and broader commercial strategy.

This role will be responsible for defining and delivering a new commercial strategy, with a particular emphasis on new business development and partnership growth. It is a standalone position with no existing headcount or in-market personnel beyond this role. Organisational expansion will scale in lockstep with business growth, and will receive support from Headquarters in the US. This individual will also oversee partnership management, ensuring a client‑centric approach that delivers best‑in‑class account management, strong partner satisfaction and high renewal rates.

The SVP/VP will bring strong seniority, gravitas and a proven track record of delivering exceptional commercial results in global sport. They will be highly networked across the international brand landscape, able to leverage those relationships across markets and territories, and comfortable operating from London with regular travel.

Success in the role will be measured by new business growth, reduced attrition, limited regional conflict, and the ability to secure and grow significant multi‑year partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

PARTNERSHIP SALES & REVENUE GENERATION

• Drive new partnership revenue across PFL’s global portfolio of assets including events, media, digital platforms, and branded content.
• Own annual revenue targets and develop strategic plans to exceed sales goals.
• Lead the full partnership sales lifecycle from prospecting and pipeline development through negotiation and contract execution.
• Identify and secure industry leading strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and licensing opportunities with global and regional brands.
• Drive international expansion efforts and develop strategies to engage new markets across EMEA & Africa.

PARTNER MANAGEMENT & RENEWAL STRATEGY

• Lead the management and renewal strategy for the PFL’s existing portfolio of global marketing partners.
• Develop strategic account plans to drive long-term partner retention and incremental revenue growth.
• Identify upsell opportunities across new PFL initiatives, platforms, and global events.
• Partner with the Chief Commercial Officer to establish annual renewal and partner revenue growth targets.
• Act as a strategic advisor to partners to maximize the value of their investment in PFL.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT & COMMERCIAL STRATEGY

• Shape partnership strategy across the EMEA & Africa region while contributing to broader global commercial initiatives.
• Identify emerging partnership categories and brand opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscape.
• Support growth of the PFL brand and fanbase through strategic partnerships and innovative marketing collaborations.

ENTRPRENEURIALISM & INNOVATION

• Establish a fast-paced, high-performance culture rooted in excellence, with a strong emphasis for action and commercial delivery.
• Take a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach to opening new business opportunities and driving momentum across the region.
• Identify creative ways to package and monetise PFL's assets, bringing innovation to partnership strategy and sales execution.

Key Competencies

Partnership Sales

Proven ability to drive new business, manage full sales cycles and secure high value commercial partnerships.

Commercial Strategy

Strong strategic capability, shaping and executing regional commercial plans aligned to global objectives.

Partner Management / Renewals

Highly skilled in managing global partners, driving retention, identifying upsell opportunities and delivering high renewal rates.

International Experience

Track record of monetising international sports / entertainment properties and brands

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Highly entrepreneurial, hands-on approach with the creativity, pace and initiative to identify new opportunities, develop innovative commercial solutions and drive growth in a fast-moving environment.

Performance Metrics

• Annual partnership revenue targets
• Pipeline development and conversion rate
• Quality and scale of brand partnerships secured
• Long-term partnership value and renewal potential

Person Specification

• Proven track record of driving revenue growth and delivering sustained commercial results.
• Experienced leader with a history of building, energising and managing high‑performing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to align resources to deliver against commercial objectives.
• Expert negotiator with extensive experience in high‑value deals and senior stakeholder management.
• Strong financial literacy with experience managing complex, international P&Ls.
• Advanced communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Exceptional network within the sports and commercial industries.
• Deep understanding of the brand and agency ecosystem within the Europe, Middle East and Africa.
• Experience in cultivating a high performance culture.
• Comfortable operating within global, matrix organisations.
• MBA or advanced degree a plus.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed to support partnership development.