At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth in Sports & Entertainment by building partnerships and delivering innovative hospitality solutions.
- Company: Join Compass Group Canada, a leader in hospitality and fan experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, RRSP contributions, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Remote work opportunity with travel required; dynamic industry engagement.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of creating unforgettable experiences for sports and entertainment fans.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in business development with strong relationship-building and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 115000 $ per year.
Compass Group Canada is seeking a Director, Business Development to help drive growth across our Sports & Entertainment portfolio. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a highly motivated business development professional who thrives on building relationships, identifying opportunities, and delivering innovative hospitality solutions for stadiums, arenas, convention centres, attractions, festivals, and entertainment venues.
In this role, you will work with venue owners, operators, sports organizations, and entertainment partners to develop customized foodservice, premium hospitality, retail, and guest experience strategies that elevate the fan journey and create long-term value.
Responsibilities include:
- Develop and execute strategic growth plans focused on the Sports & Entertainment sector across Canada.
- Identify, pursue, and secure new partnerships with stadiums, arenas, convention centres, entertainment venues, attractions, and major events.
- Lead the full business development lifecycle, including prospecting, relationship building, solution development, proposals, RFP responses, presentations, negotiations, and contract execution.
- Partner closely with operations, culinary, marketing, finance, and venue leadership teams to create winning hospitality solutions tailored to each client's vision and business objectives.
- Leverage Compass Group's national scale, innovation capabilities, and premium hospitality expertise to differentiate our offering in a highly competitive market.
- Identify opportunities to expand service offerings, including premium hospitality, concessions, retail, catering, sustainability initiatives, and fan engagement programs.
- Build executive-level relationships with key decision-makers throughout the sports, entertainment, and venue management communities.
- Represent Compass Group at industry conferences, networking events, and major venue industry gatherings.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5+ years of successful business development experience, preferably within sports, entertainment, hospitality, venue management, foodservice, events, or experience-driven industries.
- A proven hunter mentality with a track record of securing new business and delivering revenue growth.
- Experience managing complex sales cycles and high-value contracts involving multiple stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of venue operations, fan experience, premium hospitality, sponsorship, or entertainment ecosystems.
- Exceptional relationship-building, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to engage confidently with C-suite leaders, venue operators, team executives, and ownership groups.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience developing business cases and long-term contract models.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify market trends and translate them into growth opportunities.
- Willingness to travel up to 50% and maintain an active presence within the Sports & Entertainment industry.
Director of Business Development, Sports and Entertainment in Toronto employer: Corporate Compass Group Canada
Compass Group Canada is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, particularly for the Director of Business Development role in the vibrant Sports and Entertainment sector. With competitive compensation packages, including bonuses and comprehensive benefits, employees are encouraged to grow professionally while enjoying the thrill of creating unforgettable fan experiences. The company's commitment to collaboration and leveraging national scale ensures that team members can thrive in a supportive environment that values creativity and strategic thinking.
Contact Details:
Corporate Compass Group Canada Recruitment Team
