Head of Commercial (Maternity Cover) in London

About Playbook Media

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the UK's leading independent media businesses at a pivotal moment in its development. Playbook Media is the parent company of two of the UK's most respected specialist media brands: The Stage, the leading publication for the theatre industry, and The Bookseller, the market-leading title for the book trade. Together, our brands inform, inspire and connect the industries they serve through trusted journalism, events, awards, insight and community. We are an independent, purpose-led business committed to editorial excellence, long-term stewardship and serving the industries we cover.

Working directly with the Managing Director and alongside the company's senior leadership, as the Head of Commercial you will have genuine influence over the commercial performance and future growth of two highly respected brands. You will lead experienced teams, shape significant commercial partnerships and help deliver some of the UK's best-known events for the theatre and publishing industries. We believe successful organisations are built by people who combine ambition with humility, value collaboration over silos and are motivated by creating lasting value rather than short-term wins. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

Why the role exists

The Head of Commercial is responsible for leading Playbook Media's sales, events and marketing functions, with a particular focus on driving revenue, strengthening sales performance and developing high-performing teams. This role requires an experienced sales leader who combines commercial judgement with outstanding people management, providing clear direction to senior managers while protecting the trust, authority and long-term strength of our brands.

What you will do

• Commercial leadership
• Lead the company's sales, events and marketing functions, ensuring they work together to maximise commercial performance.
• Deliver sustainable revenue growth across advertising, sponsorship, events and commercial partnerships.
• Identify and develop new commercial opportunities across both brands.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, sponsors and commercial partners.
• Build strong commercial partnerships while respecting and protecting the editorial independence and integrity of The Stage and The Bookseller.
• Work closely with the Managing Director and Finance Director on commercial planning, budgeting and forecasting.
• Sales leadership
• Provide hands‑on leadership, support and strategic direction to both sales teams.
• Set clear revenue priorities, targets and expectations, ensuring strong accountability for performance.
• Regularly review pipelines, conversion rates, forecasts and individual performance, taking action where results fall behind plan.
• Support the Sales Managers in developing their teams, improving sales capability and maintaining consistently high standards.
• Personally lead or support negotiations with major clients, sponsors and commercial partners where appropriate.
• Drive advertising, sponsorship and partnership revenues across The Stage and The Bookseller.
• Ensure commercial activity aligns with wider company strategy, brand positioning and editorial independence.
• Events
• Provide commercial leadership and strategic oversight to the events function, empowering the Head of Events to lead day‑to‑day operational delivery.
• Ensure effective planning, budgeting, commercial performance, risk management and delivery across the company's events portfolio.
• Support the commercial development of existing awards, conferences and live events while identifying opportunities for future growth.
• Work closely with editorial colleagues to ensure events continue to reflect the authority and reputation of both brands.
• Marketing & Audience Growth
• Provide hands‑on leadership, support and strategic direction to the Brand Marketing Manager in leading marketing strategy supporting subscriptions, events and commercial activity.
• Work with editorial, customer service and other relevant teams to deliver subscriber acquisition, retention and revenue objectives.
• Oversee CRM, subscription platforms, marketing technology and audience insight.
• Ensure marketing activity is data‑led, measurable and aligned with commercial priorities.
• Leadership & Operations
• Lead, motivate and develop a high‑performing management team.
• Ensure sales, events and marketing plans are integrated, with clear priorities, timelines, ownership and shared commercial objectives.
• Provide regular coaching, constructive challenge and timely feedback.
• Foster collaboration across departments, ensuring sales, marketing, events and editorial teams work effectively together.
• Lead by example, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and shared success.
• Take ownership of departmental budgets, forecasting and performance reporting.
• Oversee key commercial suppliers, agencies and major contracts.
• Contribute to wider company planning and strategic projects as required.

What we're looking for

• Essential
• Significant senior sales leadership experience, including direct responsibility for delivering revenue and leading sales teams.
• Significant experience leading commercial, sales or business development teams.
• Experience managing multiple functions and leading managers.
• A proven track record of winning, growing and retaining major commercial clients.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience delivering sustainable revenue growth.
• Confidence reviewing pipelines, challenging forecasts and intervening to improve performance where required.
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience securing high‑value advertising, sponsorship, partnership or event agreements.
• Strong financial literacy, including budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting.
• A confident and experienced people manager skilled in developing high‑performing teams.
• Comfortable combining supportive approach with constructive challenge.
• Calm, pragmatic and resilient under pressure.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience using CRM systems and Microsoft Office.
• Desirable
• Experience within media, publishing, events or another audience‑led business.

How we work at Playbook Media

Our culture is just as important as our commercial success. We recruit people who demonstrate our values every day.

• Excellence – Star Performer
• Passion – Ink in our Veins
• Independence – For the Industry, Not of the Industry
• Stewardship – Play the Long Game

As part of the team, we all strive to be:

• Humble – We think of others, welcome feedback, share success and learn from mistakes.
• Hungry – We take ownership, look for opportunities to improve and deliver with energy and purpose.
• Smart – We are people smart: we communicate thoughtfully, build trusted relationships and approach challenges with emotional intelligence.

Additional Information

• Normal working hours are 9 am - 5 pm, with occasional evening or weekend work to cover events.
• This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, requiring at least three days a week at the Playbook Media office on Bermondsey Street, SE1, with opportunities for remote work on the other days.
• Travel: Some international travel (e.g. world book fairs) and local industry events.
• Start date: Oct 2026.
• Closing date: 24 August 2026.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that diversity brings. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.