Commercial Sales Lead

Remote Choice; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading event organization company is looking for a commercial leader to drive revenue growth through partnerships and sponsorships. You will define the commercial strategy, engage with solution providers in HR technology, and lead revenue generation efforts. This role requires proven success in B2B sponsorship and a consultative sales approach. Ideal candidates will have strong negotiation skills and an entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to mentor a small team and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven success in B2B sponsorship or commercial sales within events or media.
• Ability to mentor and grow a small team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of HR technology and related fields.

Responsibilities

• Define partnership strategies for solution providers.
• Drive sponsorship and partnership revenue generation.
• Represent the company at events and engage with sponsors.

Skills

Consultative sales approach

Storytelling

Negotiation

Engaging senior decision-makers

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

About The Company

Our client is a leading organiser of premium B2B events designed for senior HR and business leaders across the UK and EMEA.

These events bring together HR technology providers, consultants, and thought leaders for high-impact summits, executive roundtables, and networking experiences. The company has a proven record of success in delivering sell-out sponsorships and long-term partnerships and is now scaling its commercial team to accelerate growth.

The Mission

This is a key commercial leadership role focused on driving revenue growth through solution-provider partnerships and sponsorships.

You’ll take ownership of the commercial strategy across multiple event formats, define partnership value, and develop a repeatable model for multi-year relationships. You’ll refine and enhance existing packages (stage opportunities, curated introductions, digital/on-demand visibility), create flagship partner programs, and expand an ecosystem of solution providers who view these platforms as a must-attend opportunity for connecting with HR leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner Strategy & Narrative—Define how solution providers achieve success through partnership opportunities and shape strategic narratives that resonate with marketing and demand-generation leaders.
• Value Architecture—Evolve sponsorship and partnership offerings to ensure they are compelling, measurable, and scalable.
• Ecosystem Growth—Build and nurture relationships with solution providers across HR technology, people analytics, workforce planning, employee engagement, and related fields.
• Commercial Ownership—Lead end-to-end sponsorship and partnership revenue generation, drive senior‑level conversations with marketing and partnership leaders, build tailored proposals and negotiate agreements with confidence.
• Brand Representation—Represent the company at events, host sponsors, facilitate introductions, and identify renewal opportunities.
• Playbook Development—Create scalable sales and partnership playbooks, refining messaging, materials, and processes to ensure quality growth.
• Internal Collaboration—Partner with operations and marketing to ensure seamless delivery of sponsor value and event success.

First 90 Days Focus

• Immerse yourself in the existing sponsor base and success stories.
• Review and refresh commercial materials and partnership propositions.
• Design and propose signature partnership programs.
• Re‑engage warm leads and prior sponsors, mapping renewals and multi‑event opportunities.
• Establish a consistent rhythm for pipeline management and commercial reviews.

Experience & Skills Required

• Proven success in B2B sponsorship, partnership, or commercial sales within events or media (UK/EMEA).
• Strong consultative sales approach and ability to engage senior decision‑makers.
• Excellent storytelling, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge or curiosity about HR technology, people analytics, workforce planning, or related domains.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build scalable systems and improve processes.
• Leadership capability—able to mentor and eventually grow a small team for a comfortable working in a fast‑paced, high‑autonomy environment and willing to travel for key events.
• Desirable: Existing network across HR tech and related verticals.
• Desirable: Experience in ABM or field marketing, particularly co‑creating thought‑leadership and partnership programs.
• Desirable: Background in premium B2B events or HR tech sectors.
• Desirable: Confident moderating or hosting executive‑level sessions.
• Desirable: Additional European language(s).