Commercial Lead - Magazine Publishing

SAGA PLC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading subscription publication in the UK seeks a Commercial Lead to drive revenue generation across multiple channels, including advertising and subscriptions. The ideal candidate will have experience managing commercial budgets, a background in publishing, and strong forecasting skills. This hybrid role requires being present in the London office 2-3 times a week. Benefits include a generous holiday allowance, pension scheme, and well-being programs.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme matched up to 10%

Company performance-related annual bonus

Life assurance policy

Wellbeing programme

Colleague discounts

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Access to Saga Academy

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial budget and revenue generation role.
• Extensive knowledge of publishing and digital media.
• Experience with advertising and affiliate budgets.

Responsibilities

• Implement strategies to increase revenue across channels.
• Manage the Publishing revenue budget and oversee costs.
• Work closely with the Editorial team for insights and updates.

Skills

Commercial budget experience

Forecasting sales volumes

Integrity and objectivity

Account management

Advertising budget management

Job description

You'll be joining the UK's biggest subscription based monthly publication in the UK with an accolade of recent awards. As the Commercial Lead, you will work closely with our renowned Editorial Director and Chief Data & Strategy Officer. You'll be a credible commercially minded individual, able to oversee business development and revenue generation of the full omnichannel magazine. Having an entrepreneurial approach where you can leverage our multi-award-winning magazine content to maximise our commercial performance across multiple revenue streams. You will also be working with the Magazine Editorial team, key external agency partners and the Head of Finance as required, you will manage the full publishing revenue budget, which is comprised primarily of the magazine subscriptions, and advertising revenue, both internal and external. For subscriptions you will have line management of the Marketing Audience Manager, while for external advertising, you will manage our agency relationship. Internally you will work closely with our business units (Travel, Insurance, Money and new business), to ensure we're optimising our promotional activity for the business as a whole. We work in a hybrid way at Saga both at home and in the office. This role requires you to be working from our London office a minimum of 2-3 times a week, allowing us to collaborate and share success as a business. On occasions, you may need to visit our Head Office in Folkestone, Kent., Fully owning and managing the Publishing revenue streams, from our internal advertising of our Business Units, our External advertising across both Print and Digital formats, and our Subscription revenue of the Magazine. Working as the Commercial Lead in the Publishing team you will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

• To implement strategies to increase revenue from all our channels including Magazine (Print, Digital, Subscription, Newsstand etc.), Digital content such as Newsletters, Emails, Podcasts, Video content, social media etc.
• Aligning of our advertising copy to our Editorial content.
• Implement strategies to increase onward traffic from the magazine section of the website to the Business Units and lead the cross-department conversation about how value is assigned to this traffic.
• Work with the Editorial team to collate and present key insights and data for monthly Business Updates to the leadership team.
• Establishing sales targets for both advertising and subscriptions and driving the performance of both to ensure targets are met.
• Working with finance to produce the monthly forecast and annual budget for the Publishing revenue
• Help oversee and negotiate contracts as required with new clients.
• Work with the Digital and Data teams to ensure our website, and data insights are aligned to Publishing's needs.
• Identify profit-making brand extension opportunities and take the lead in securing sponsorships, networking with key external stakeholders and getting new projects off the ground.
• Reviewing and developing operational processes to improve the performance and maximise growth of the partnerships where appropriate.
• Working together with the other Saga Business units to promote the Saga brand.
• Managing risk assessments for any new initiatives.
• Staying aware of the latest trends and developments in the industry, ultimately being in tune with our customer and what other products and brands align to their needs and interests but do not step into our portfolio of products here at Saga
• Managing all daily commercial operations and partner with the existing editorial team.
• Line management of the Market Audience Manager, who is responsible for the delivery of our Magazine subscriptions performance.
• Collaborate with our outsourced advertising agency to maximise revenue from existing and new advertising clients.
• Being part of a high-performing team, taking on additional responsibilities and working across digital and print channels as needed to deliver on business objectives.

Qualifications

Candidates applying will have gained experience in a commercial budget and revenue generation role previously. Ideally having extensive knowledge of the publishing arena, digital media / marketing and also the advertising / affiliation sector. You will also need to demonstrate;

• A Strong understanding and ability of forecasting sales volumes with extensive budget management and contract negotiations.
• Integrity and objectivity, capable of selling ideas and implementing change.
• Significant Account management experience in the publishing and/or digital media sector.
• Clear experience managing advertising and affiliate budgets and P&Ls.
• Clear understanding of advertising and affiliate reporting and data tools.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Option to purchase additional leave - 5 extra days
• Pension scheme matched up to 10%
• Company performance related annual bonus - Up to 5%
• Life assurance policy on joining us, 4 x salary
• Wellbeing programme
• Colleague discounts including family discounts on cruises, holidays and insurance
• Range of reductions and offers from leading retailers, travel groups and entertainment companies
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Grandparents leave
• Income protection
• Access to Saga Academy, our bespoke learning platform

At Saga we recognise that our people make us special. We believe our colleagues deserve rewards for the excellence they demonstrate every single day, that's why we have put together an amazing benefits package for all colleagues. BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO ALL COLLEAGUES:

Over the past 70 years we have become the UK's specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50 in the UK. We're one of the most recognised and trusted brands amongst UK consumers in this demographic, recognised for its high-quality products and exceptional standards of service. Our product portfolio includes cruises, holidays, insurance, personal finance products and our Saga Magazine.

We aim to be the most-trusted brand for older people in the UK. Our focus on delivering exceptional products and service empowers our colleagues to create moments that are personal and special for our customers and for each other. Our values underpin our approach and help guide us to deliver our purpose. We're committed to making sure that colleagues can be their best, be themselves and make a difference - more than anywhere else. We do this by creating a truly inclusive culture, where all colleagues can bring their full and authentic selves to work and be treated with dignity and respect in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Thanks to our people, Saga has been ranked 6th in the UK's Best Employers 2025 by the Financial Times and Statista. This recognition, based on the voices of 20,000 employees across the UK, is a testament to the great culture we've built together. This award belongs to all our colleagues who collectively make Saga a fantastic place to work. We are champions of age inclusivity and signatories of the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, we are proud of our multigenerational teams we have in place. We're also a committed Disability Confident employer and ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible.