About SÉON
SÉON is a fast-growing Nigerian sportswear brand on a mission to embody Africa's greatness through world-class sportswear. We design, produce, and supply sports jerseys, accessories, and training wear for athletes and fans. We partner with teams across Rugby, Flag Football, Soccer, Basketball, Frisbee, Cricket, Volleyball, and eSports. Our partners include the Nigeria Women's Rugby Team, Nigeria eSports, Burna Boy Academy, Ikorodu City Football Academy, Inter Lagos FC, First Bank Football Club, First Bank Women's Basketball, Lagos State Volleyball, Niger Delta FC, and many of the country's leading Flag Football clubs.
Our goal is clear: to become the largest sports apparel brand in Nigeria by 2028.
The role
The Managing Director will take SÉON to its next stage of growth. This is a senior executive role with a heavy business development focus, suited to a commercial leader who is as comfortable in a commissioner’s office as in a boardroom.
From January 2027, you will travel across Nigeria to win state-owned sports teams as SÉON apparel partners ahead of the 2027/2028 sports season. This mandate covers all sports, not only soccer. You will also lead the company day-to-day, making sure SÉON can deliver every contract it wins.
Key outcomes
- Sign state-owned teams across multiple sports and regions as SÉON partners ahead of the 2027/2028 season.
- Build a sales pipeline covering Nigeria's 36 states and the FCT.
- Build a sales pipeline across sports competitions nationwide.
- Deliver every signed contract on time and to SÉON's quality standards.
- Position SÉON to become Nigeria's largest sports apparel brand by 2028.
Key responsibilities
Business development
- Map state-owned teams, sports councils, ministries, and decision-makers in every state.
- Lead the full sales cycle, from first meeting through pitch, negotiation, contract, and renewal.
- Build trusted relationships with commissioners, sports council leaders, team management, federations and league officials.
- Navigate government procurement, budget and payment cycles to secure and close deals.
- Pursue related opportunities with national federations, private clubs, academies, schools and corporate sponsors.
Executive leadership
- Set and execute SÉON's commercial strategy and annual business plan with the Founder.
- Own revenue, margin, cash flow and collections targets.
- Hire, lead and develop a high-performing team.
- Report regularly to the Founder on pipeline, financial performance, risks and priorities.
Operations and delivery
- Oversee production planning, supplier performance, inventory and logistics.
- Align design, production, and account management around each team's requirements.
- Protect product quality and customer experience as SÉON scales.
Brand and market growth
- Grow SÉON's reputation as the partner of choice for Nigerian sport.
- Turn team partnerships into wider fan and retail sales, including replica jerseys and online sales.
- Track competitors, pricing, and market trends, and adjust strategy accordingly.
Who we're looking for
Required
- At least 7 years of commercial, business development, or general management experience, including senior leadership roles.
- A genuine enthusiasm for sport, with demonstrable evidence of having worked in the sports industry in any capacity. This could include clubs, leagues, federations, academies, athlete representation, events, media, sponsorship, or sports products.
- A proven record of closing small or large institutional, government, or public sector deals in Nigeria.
- Strong existing relationships across Nigerian sport and government.
- Experience managing a P&L, a team, and a sales pipeline.
- Excellent negotiation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Willingness to travel frequently and for extended periods across Nigeria.
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
Preferred
- Experience in apparel, consumer goods, manufacturing or distribution.
- Knowledge of public procurement processes in Nigeria.
- An established network across multiple sports, including federations, leagues and clubs.
- An MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification.
Personal qualities
- An entrepreneurial builder who is happy to set the strategy and do the legwork.
- Resilient and persistent through long sales cycles.
- Honest and transparent, with the highest standards of ethics in all dealings with public officials.
- Passionate about sport and the opportunity to build a great African brand.
How to apply
Send your CV and a short note to info@seonsports.com. Please describe the largest deal you have closed and your role in winning it.
SÉON is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.
Email your application