Commercial Director - Sports & Entertainment Venues

About the Role

Our client, a leading entity in the Leisure & Sports sector managing premier venues, is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Commercial Director. This senior leadership role, based in Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA , will be responsible for driving revenue growth and maximizing the commercial potential of our client's facilities. You will oversee business development, sponsorship acquisition, event partnerships, and the strategic marketing of venue offerings. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in commercial strategy, sales, and business development, preferably within the sports, entertainment, or events industry. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the commercial future of iconic venues and contribute significantly to our client's success. The role involves a hybrid work arrangement, blending strategic office-based work with flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive commercial strategy to drive revenue across all venue operations, including ticketing, hospitality, sponsorship, and events. Identify, negotiate, and secure high-value sponsorship and partnership agreements with corporate clients. Lead the business development team, setting targets, providing guidance, and fostering a high-performance sales culture. Oversee the marketing and promotional activities for venue bookings and major events to maximize attendance and revenue. Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to identify new commercial opportunities and optimize existing revenue streams. Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including event organizers, sponsors, tenants, and community partners. Develop and manage the commercial budget, ensuring profitability and sustainable growth. Contribute to the overall strategic planning and decision-making processes of the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or a related field; MBA preferred. Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in commercial roles, with a proven track record in business development, sales, and strategy, preferably in the Leisure & Sports , entertainment, or venue management industry. Demonstrated success in securing and managing major sponsorship deals and complex commercial agreements. Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management and P&L responsibility. Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and manage a diverse team. Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach to decision-making. Reside within or be willing to commute to Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA for hybrid work model.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary and performance-based incentives, along with a comprehensive benefits package. Enjoy the dynamic work environment of managing prominent venues in Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA , with the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement. You will have significant autonomy and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the organization's commercial success and growth within the thriving Leisure & Sports sector.

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