At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial growth, events, and marketing strategies for Athletics Northern Ireland.
- Company: Join the governing body for athletics in Northern Ireland, promoting sport at all levels.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with evening and weekend commitments; travel across Northern Ireland may be required.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on athletics while driving innovation and engagement in the community.
- Qualifications: Degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; 5+ years in leadership roles.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Athletics Northern Ireland is the recognised governing body for athletics in Northern Ireland, responsible for the development, promotion and governance of the sport across all disciplines and levels of participation.
The organisation works with clubs, athletes, coaches, officials, schools, event organisers, local authorities, funders and key stakeholders to support athletics from grassroots participation through to elite performance.
Athletics NI is focused on participation growth, operational excellence, commercial sustainability, profile raising and stakeholder engagement, and on delivering high-quality events and championships while developing innovative commercial and participation opportunities to support long-term sustainability and growth.
Reports to : Chief Executive Officer
Location : Athletics House, Belfast. May require duties at other locations in Northern Ireland and beyond. Regular evening and weekend work will be required.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Development and Revenue Generation
- Develop and implement a commercial growth strategy aligned to the organisation’s strategic objectives.
- Deliver a target-driven approach to commercial growth and revenue generation across the organisation.
- Identify, develop and implement new commercial products, services and revenue opportunities.
- Develop innovative participation, engagement and wellbeing initiatives to support long-term organisational sustainability.
- Lead on sponsorship generation, sponsorship servicing and commercial partnership development.
- Support the development of diversified income streams including sponsorship, partnerships, trusts and foundations, donations, legacy initiatives and commercial activity.
- Events and Championships
- Lead the planning, development and delivery of Athletics NI championships and events.
- Ensure Athletics NI events are the events athletes, clubs and participants most want to attend.
- Deliver events and championships to the highest possible operational, commercial and presentation standards.
- Marketing, Brand and Communications
- Promote and position athletics as a high-profile and progressive sport within Northern Ireland.
- Develop and oversee Athletics NI’s marketing, communications and public relations strategies.
- Lead the organisation’s digital presence including website, social media and online engagement.
- Develop media relationships and coordinate press activity, launches, interviews and promotional campaigns.
- Develop and implement a structured communications and engagement plan across clubs, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, event organisers, partners and funders.
- Ensure regular, proactive and professional communication with stakeholders across all areas of the organisation.
- Lead ongoing development of a strong Athletics NI brand with consistent branding, messaging and presentation standards across all events and public-facing activity.
- Support promotion of Athletics NI and its activities through innovative marketing and storytelling approaches.
- Ensure sponsors, partners and stakeholders receive strong visibility and activation opportunities through Athletics NI activity.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Degree level qualification in Business, Marketing, Communications, Events Management or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Experience
- Minimum of five years in a senior commercial, marketing, events management, business development or leadership role.
- Experience developing and implementing commercial growth initiatives and revenue generation strategies.
- Experience operating in a target-driven environment.
- Experience identifying and developing new business, partnerships or commercial opportunities.
- Experience managing high-profile events, projects or campaigns.
- Experience leading, managing and developing staff or teams.
- Experience managing departmental budgets and delivering against financial targets.
- Experience in procurement, supplier management and contract oversight.
- Experience in marketing, communications, digital engagement and brand development.
- Experience in media relations, PR activity and promotional campaigns.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders including funders, sponsors, partners, Boards or governing bodies.
- Experience preparing reports and presenting information to senior leadership or Boards.
- Experience in working within a fast-paced and evolving operational environment.
- Experience leading teams and supporting organisational change.
Skills and Knowledge
- Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational and project management ability.
- Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking capability.
- Ability to identify opportunities, solve problems and deliver innovative solutions.
- Ability to work strategically and operationally within a dynamic environment.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong IT and digital communication skills including website and social media platforms.
- Ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ability to represent the organisation professionally and credibly across diverse environments.
- High standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and achieving high standards across all aspects of delivery.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience within sport, leisure, events, participation, tourism or membership-based organisations.
- Experience of sponsorship acquisition and partnership servicing.
- Experience using CRM, booking, registration, membership or event management systems.
- Experience developing participation initiatives or customer engagement programmes.
- Experience working with volunteers, officials or community-based organisations.
- Experience in media production, livestreaming, video content or digital storytelling.
- Understanding of governance, compliance and publicly funded environments.
- Understanding of branding, customer experience and stakeholder engagement principles.
- Full current driving licence and access to transport suitable for the requirements of the role.
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by the role.
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Head Of Commercial, Events And Marketing Tlnt1_Ni employer: Athletics Northern Ireland
Athletics Northern Ireland is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Belfast that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, the organisation provides opportunities for professional development and encourages a culture of teamwork and engagement, making it an ideal place for those passionate about promoting athletics and community involvement. Employees benefit from a supportive atmosphere that values high standards and creativity, ensuring that every team member can contribute to meaningful initiatives that enhance the sport across all levels.
Contact Details:
Athletics Northern Ireland Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Commercial, Events And Marketing Tlnt1_Ni
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Athletics Northern Ireland and show them what you can bring to the table.
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✨Attend Industry Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Commercial, Events And Marketing Tlnt1_Ni
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Athletics Northern Ireland. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Athletics Northern Ireland:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Athletics Northern Ireland’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Athletics Northern Ireland
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Athletics Northern Ireland will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Athletics Northern Ireland, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
