At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy, grow revenues, and build global partnerships in sports.
- Company: Commonwealth Sport, a dynamic organisation driving equality through sport.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity to impact global sports, and career development.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to inspiring athletes and young people across the Commonwealth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the world of sports while working on major international events.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in commercial growth and partnership development.
The predicted salary is between 85500 - 104500 £ per year.
Commonwealth Sport is an international organisation with responsibility for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Youth Games, and for delivering the vision of the Commonwealth Sport Movement: 'Our Commonwealth, united through sport'. Our mission is to deliver inspirational and impactful Games; to excite and empower athletes and young people; and to drive equality in sport and society across the Commonwealth.
Following the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026, and with the Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta in 2027 and the centenary Commonwealth Games in Amdavad in 2030 ahead, this is a significant period for the organisation. Beyond these major events, the organisation works year-round to raise the profile of Commonwealth Sport, diversify revenues, deliver impactful sport for development programmes and manage strategic relationships with our members and other key partners. The organisation has a workforce of approximately 35 employees, predominantly based at our Headquarters in London, but with some colleagues based internationally.
As Commercial Director, you will lead Commonwealth Sport’s commercial strategy, growing sustainable revenues, strengthening global partnerships, and identifying new opportunities across sponsorship, media, and wider commercial rights.
The Impact You’ll Make
You will lead the development and delivery of a commercial strategy designed to grow and diversify Commonwealth Sport’s revenues, both around major Games and throughout the wider four-year cycle. You will take an active role in the market, alongside a specialist agency, developing new partnership opportunities, creating compelling partnership propositions, building senior relationships with global brands and agencies, and leading significant commercial negotiations. You will oversee Commonwealth Sport’s existing partnerships, ensuring they deliver long-term value while identifying opportunities for growth, renewal, and deeper engagement. Working alongside specialist agency and internal teams, you will also provide commercial leadership of media and broadcast rights, identifying opportunities to increase their value, reach, and long-term potential. Looking ahead to Amdavad 2030, you will build a close commercial relationship with the Organising Committee and help establish an aligned approach to commercial delivery for the Games. You will lead and develop a growing commercial team, creating clear objectives and accountability while ensuring internal colleagues and external agencies work together effectively.
Your Skills and Experience
- A strong track record of delivering commercial revenue growth within sport, media, entertainment, or another rights-led environment.
- Proven success securing significant sponsorship and strategic partnership agreements.
- Experience across the full commercial sales process, from identifying prospects and developing propositions through to negotiation and closing agreements.
- An understanding of media and broadcast rights, alongside the ability to identify new revenue opportunities linked to digital audiences and engagement.
- Strong relationships and credibility across brands, agencies, rights holders, and the wider commercial market.
- Experience developing commercial rights packages and partnership propositions.
- Strong financial judgement, with experience managing revenue targets, budgets, forecasts, and commercial pipelines.
- Experience leading and developing commercial teams and managing specialist external agencies.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills within complex or international environments.
The Executives in Sport Group are retained on behalf of Commonwealth Sport to appoint a Commercial Director. All direct applications and CV's will be forwarded to The Executives in Sport Group. Please note that due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide specific feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Commercial Director in London employer: Commonwealth Sport
Commonwealth Sport is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement while fostering a culture that values teamwork and creativity. Join us to be part of a mission-driven organisation that is dedicated to making a meaningful impact through global partnerships and sponsorships leading up to Amdavad 2030.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director in London
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Commonwealth Sport. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out openings on our site! Our listings will often include positions at excellent organisations in sports recreation management, including Commonwealth Sport. Applying directly through our platform increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Let's get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Commonwealth Sport aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Commonwealth Sport
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Commonwealth Sport, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
