Head of Commercial

London City Lionesses; Ditton; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A sports organization is seeking a Head of Commercial to drive its commercial performance from partnerships to ticketing and retail operations. This executive role aims to maximise revenue while fostering long-term commercial relationships. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in senior commercial leadership within sports, with strong negotiation skills and a keen understanding of financial forecasting. The position offers the opportunity to shape the future of the club's commercial strategy in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Proven senior commercial leadership experience, preferably in football or sports.
• Strong track record of revenue growth across commercial sectors.
• Ability to manage budgets and contracts.
• Commercial acumen with financial forecasting and budgeting experience.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and commercial teams.
• Experience in professional football or elite sport.
• Knowledge of football governance and safeguarding requirements.
• International or multi-market commercial experience.

Responsibilities

• Drive the club's commercial performance through strategic leadership.
• Maximise revenue from partnerships, ticketing, and retail.
• Lead acquisition and retention of commercial partners.
• Oversee activation of partnerships and alignment with brand and fanbase.

Skills

Senior commercial leadership experience in sports

Strong negotiation and sales skills

Financial literacy and forecasting

Stakeholder management

Passion for women's football

Stakeholder management

Football knowledge

International experience

Education

Degree in relevant subject

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Commercial role at London City Lionesses

Closing Date: 07/01/2026 (position may close earlier)

Job Title Head of Commercial

Department Marketing & Commercial

Reports to Marketing & Commercial Director

Location Cobdown Park, Station Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 6AU

Working Pattern 40hrs per week, including evenings and weekends

Salary Range Dependent on experience

Level of DBS Enhanced Child Barred List

About Us:

London City Lionesses are part of the Kynisca group, setting a vision and building an infrastructure in which all the players and staff can thrive.

Owned by Michele Kang, our vision for Kynisca is to:

• Become the most pre-eminent sports organisation in the world;
• Have a high-performance culture of winning on and off the pitch;
• Train women as women, and
• Motivate and inspire the next generation of girls and women.

Our Values:

We Lead The Way | We Dream Big | We Get it Done | We Innovate | We Inspire our Community

Role Purpose:

The Head of Commercial is responsible for driving the club’s commercial performance through strategic leadership of partnerships, ticketing, hospitality, membership and retail operations. The role is accountable for maximising revenue, developing long‑term commercial relationships, and delivering sustainable growth aligned with the club’s sporting ambitions and brand values.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and is keen to help shape how our club is seen and remembered. This is a new position within the business, so the responsibilities are not set in stone. We need someone who can jump in, get things done, and work with the senior leadership team to shape the future of the club.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver an integrated commercial strategy covering partnerships, ticketing products, and retail.
• Set and deliver annual and multi‑year revenue targets and ensure delivery across all commercial verticals.
• Manage commercial budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting.

Partnerships & Sponsorship:

• Working closely with the Managing Director and Marketing & Commercial Director lead the acquisition, negotiation, and retention of commercial partners and sponsors.
• Develop compelling partnership propositions aligned to the club’s brand, fanbase, and assets.
• Oversee partnership activation, ensuring contractual rights are delivered and value maximised for partners.
• Work closely with marketing and media teams to integrate partners into campaigns, content, and matchday experiences.
• Maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, agencies, and governing bodies.

Ticketing & Matchday Revenue:

• Own the ticketing strategy, pricing models, and sales plans across all competitions.
• Maximise revenue from season tickets, memberships, hospitality, and matchday sales.
• Use fan data, insights, and demand forecasting to optimise pricing, yield, and attendance.
• Collaborate with operations, marketing, and supporter engagement teams to enhance the matchday experience.
• Oversee communications with opposition clubs with regards to ticketing operations for both home and away fixtures.
• Develop processes for managing inbound supporter enquiries.
• Lead retail and merchandising strategy across stadium retail and e‑commerce.
• Drive product range planning, pricing, stock management, and seasonal launches.
• Maximise revenue from kits, training wear, lifestyle apparel, and licensed products.
• Manage relationships with kit manufacturers, licensees, and third‑party retail partners.
• Work closely with marketing on product launches, promotions, and global distribution.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead, motivate, and develop the commercial team across partnerships, ticketing, and retail.
• Build a high‑performance culture with clear objectives and accountability.
• Foster collaboration with football operations, marketing, finance, and community teams.
• Manage and evaluate external suppliers, agencies, and commercial partners.

Club Accountabilities

1. To comply with all Club policies, procedures and practices and carry out your role diligently and in the best interests of the Club.
2. To lead with a proactive, high‑performance mindset and actively contribute to a winning culture on and off the pitch.
3. To behave in a manner consistent with Club values and policies.

What we are looking for

Qualifications and Training

• Degree level or equivalent in relevant subject.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Proven senior commercial leadership experience, preferably in football, sport, or live entertainment.
• Strong track record of revenue growth across partnerships, ticketing, and/or retail.
• Excellent negotiation, sales, and relationship management skills.
• Commercial acumen with strong financial literacy and forecasting experience.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and commercial teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within professional football or elite sport.
• Knowledge of football governance, league regulations, and safeguarding requirements.
• International or multi‑market commercial experience.

Characteristics

• Passionate about women’s football and broader women’s sport culture.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to deal with matrix stakeholders & ambiguity.
• High standards of personal integrity and EQ.
• Comfortable and able to work on own initiative.
• Has a learning mindset; is keen to continue their self‑development and keep up to date with best practice and learning opportunities.
• Continually seeks to improve efficiency and performance.
• Seeks out and embraces new ways of thinking and working – not afraid to fail.
• Professional, confident, self‑motivated and enthusiastic.
• A positive, bright and energetic demeanour.
• Numerate and data‑driven with a strong attention to detail.
• Resilience and perseverance.

London City Lionesses is committed to safeguarding, health and safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. We prioritise the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, the well‑being of all staff and visitors, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. These responsibilities are shared by all staff and volunteers, with safeguarding, safety, and inclusivity being collective priorities.

All staff are required to adhere to the Club’s policies, complete relevant training, and actively contribute to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. This includes timely reporting of concerns, compliance with health and safety regulations, and upholding the Club’s zero‑tolerance approach to discrimination.

For certain roles, additional checks, such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or health assessments, may be required. Applications must include a fully completed application form; CVs alone will not be accepted. All candidates will be assessed on merit and their alignment with the Club’s values.

Seniority Level

Executive

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Sales and Management