RIA SHARMA
Summary
Dynamic professional with experience supporting commercial strategy and sales in sports and entertainment, including Manchester United and Wasserman. Skilled in market research, data analysis, and prospect targeting to identify sponsorship and partnership opportunities. Experienced in cross-functional collaboration, content creation, and delivering insights that drive business growth. Strong background in customer service and stakeholder engagement across corporate and nonprofit settings.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Research and Insights Executive
Wasserman
City of London
2025.07 - Current
- Develop robust business plans to ensure market competitiveness.
- Support sales strategy through sector, geography, and company specific research on sports and sponsorship markets.
- Produce industry and company reports identifying new sponsorship, talent, and influencer partnership opportunities
- Work across multiple client projects, including major brands such as Lucozade, presenting tailored sponsorship and talent solutions.
- Manage and analyse a database of prospects and key business contacts, delivering market and competitor insights to support sales pitches.
- Fostered a collaborative work environment to enhance team performance.
Commercial Research Executive
Manchester United
City of London
2023.06 - 2025.07
- Collaborated with sales managers to refine prospect lists and targeting strategies, producing detailed company reports to enhance meeting preparation and expand partner portfolios.
- Conducted financial analyses to align commercial strategies with economic trends and legal constraints, identifying opportunities related to prospects’ activation rights.
- Contributed to cross-functional Corporate Strategy initiatives, including Manchester United’s B2C growth strategy, working closely with senior stakeholders and department heads.
- Worked alongside the Insights team to analyse data and performance metrics, identifying emerging social and consumer trends.
Sales Assistant
John Lewis and Partners
Reading
2017.08 - 2023.10
- Delivered high-quality customer service across multiple departments, including high-value jewellery, ensuring an exceptional client experience.
Marketing Lead Volunteer
Community Hopeline CIC - YouthScope
Reading
2023.01 - 2023.04
- Worked with a non-profit organisation who focus on inspiring, educating and mentoring young people.
- Created content for various social media platforms using Canva and Photoshop.
- Conducted market research and analyse data in order focus our efforts on the needs of our target audience.
Events Coordinator
Catch Twenty-Two Club Lounge
Coventry
2021.09 - 2022.06
- Strategically engaged with students across various social media platforms.
- Managed vendor communications, ensuring they had the necessary resources to maintain high-quality service.
Online Picker
ASDA
Coventry
2021.03 - 2021.06
- Processed customers online orders using various digital systems.
- Worked as a team to ensure that all orders were completed during busy periods, including the COVID-19 period.
Work Experience Candidate
Social Mobility Business Partnership
Reading
2018.08 - 2018.08
- Completed a Law and Business work experience programme, including site visits to multinational companies such as Verizon, Veritas, Microsoft, and Sky, gaining insight into commercial and advertising-related legal issues.
- Collaborated in teams to develop and pitch a new business idea to company managers, demonstrating commercial awareness and presentation skills.
Education
BA (Hons) - Business and Marketing
Coventry University
Coventry 2019.09 - 2022.06
A Levels -
The Bulmershe School Sixth Form
Reading 2017.09 - 2019.06
GCSE's -
The Bulmershe School
Reading 2012.09 - 2017.06
Skills
- Commercial and market research
- Data analysis and insights
- Sales strategy support
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Marketing and content creation
- Customer service excellence
References
Excellent references can be provided upon request.
Timeline
Research and Insights Executive
Wasserman
2025.07 - Current
Commercial Research Executive
Manchester United
2023.06 - 2025.07
Marketing Lead Volunteer
Community Hopeline CIC - YouthScope
2023.01 - 2023.04
Events Coordinator
Catch Twenty-Two Club Lounge
2021.09 - 2022.06
Online Picker
ASDA
2021.03 - 2021.06
BA (Hons) - Business and Marketing
Coventry University
2019.09 - 2022.06
Work Experience Candidate
Social Mobility Business Partnership
2018.08 - 2018.08
A Levels -
The Bulmershe School Sixth Form
2017.09 - 2019.06
Sales Assistant
John Lewis and Partners
2017.08 - 2023.10
GCSE's -
The Bulmershe School
2012.09 - 2017.06