Commercial Manager

ARK Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to £40k base salary DOE + commision

25 days annual leave + your birthday

Maternity and paternity benefits

Mental health support

Wellness days

A supportive, social, and high-perfom​

team culture

Real opportunity to shape flagship/cre

Job summary

ARK Recruitment is seeking a Commercial Manager to own revenue for a flagship event in its Emergency Services portfolio, driving new business and account development. You will shape partnerships, brand activations and bespoke sponsorship opportunities to maximise value.

Working with the Event Director and Sales Directors, you will lead proposals, close high-value deals, and optimise campaign delivery to deliver exceptional exhibitor and sponsor experiences across the live event.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in exhibition, sponsorship, or event sales roles.
• Track record of achieving or exceeding significant revenue targets.
• Strong skills in business development, relationship management, and negotiation.
• Ability to craft tailored, persuasive proposals for senior-level clients.
• Commercial awareness and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and managing people.
• A collaborative, positive attitude with strong leadership instincts.

Responsibilities

• Lead on stand, sponsorship, and partnership sales across the event, achieving and exceeding revenue targets.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of exhibitors, sponsors, and brand partners.
• Develop and present tailored, creative proposals that align with client objectives and event goals.
• Negotiate and close high-value deals with senior-level stakeholders.
• Collaborate with marketing, content, and operations teams to ensure exceptional campaign delivery and client satisfaction.
• Identify new business opportunities and revenue streams through innovation and market analysis.
• Analyse sales performance and commercial metrics to inform strategy and optimise outcomes.
• Represent the brand at key industry events to generate leads and maintain market visibility.
• Contribute to post-event reporting and strategic planning to shape future success.

Skills

Exhibition sales

Sponsorship sales

Event sales

Revenue targets

Business development

Relationship management

Negotiation

Proposal writing

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Team leadership

Job description

Ark is recruiting for a leading exhibitions organisation that's behind some of the country's most recognised and award-winning exhibitions and live experiences. Known for its creativity, collaboration, and innovation, this company produces iconic events that attract thousands of visitors and industry-leading partners every year.

They're now seeking a Commercial Manager to lead revenue growth across one of their flagship portfolios, in the Emergency Services space. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded, strategic salesperson to shape partnerships, drive growth, and deliver an exceptional event experience.

The Role

As Commercial Manager, you'll take ownership of revenue for a key event in their emergency services portfolio, driving both new business and account development. You'll develop creative partnerships, brand activations, and bespoke sponsorship opportunities that elevate the event's value proposition and commercial success.

Working closely with the Event Director, Sales Director and cross-functional teams, you'll support the commercial strategy from concept to delivery, ensuring every exhibitor, sponsor, and feature partner achieves their objectives while contributing to the show's continued success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on stand, sponsorship, and partnership sales across the event, achieving and exceeding revenue targets.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of exhibitors, sponsors, and brand partners.
• Develop and present tailored, creative proposals that align with client objectives and event goals.
• Negotiate and close high-value deals with senior-level stakeholders.
• Collaborate with marketing, content, and operations teams to ensure exceptional campaign delivery and client satisfaction.
• Identify new business opportunities and revenue streams through innovation and market analysis.
• Analyse sales performance and commercial metrics to inform strategy and optimise outcomes.
• Represent the brand at key industry events to generate leads and maintain market visibility.
• Contribute to post-event reporting and strategic planning to shape future success.

About You

We're looking for a results-driven, confident, and entrepreneurial commercial professional who thrives in a creative, fast-paced events environment. You'll bring:

• Proven experience in exhibition, sponsorship, or event sales roles
• A track record of achieving or exceeding significant revenue targets.
• Strong skills in business development, relationship management, and negotiation.
• The ability to craft tailored, persuasive proposals for senior-level clients.
• Commercial awareness and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading high-performing teams and managing people.
• A collaborative, positive attitude with strong leadership instincts.

What's on Offer

• Up to £40k base salary DOE + commission.
• 25 days annual leave + your birthday off.
• Maternity and paternity benefits.
• Mental health support
• Wellness days
• A supportive, social, and high-performing team culture.
• Real opportunity to shape a flagship event and make your mark in a creative, fast-growing business.