Commercial Director

Application Deadline: 12 September 2025

Department: Commercial

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: KSA

Reporting To: George Quick

Description

ABOUT 54GROUP:54 is a sports and entertainment agency operating across five regions and eight offices: United Kingdom (London), Europe (Sotogrande, Spain), MENA (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia & Dubai, United Arab Emirates), APAC (Singapore & Adelaide, Australia) and USA (West Palm Beach, Florida & New York). It works with rights holders, governing bodies, household brands and major investors who share its belief in the power of sport. 54 comprises three service areas each consisting of two divisions: 1. Strategic Advisory (Consultancy and Data & Insights), 2. Asset Optimisation (Operations and Commercial), 3. Activation & Engagement (Events and Marketing). At its core, the company has an unwavering belief in embracing the opportunities offered by pushing at the edges of conventional wisdom to turn the improbable into the unignorable.    ROLE OVERVIEW:
54 is seeking a Commercial Director to lead the growth of the 54 business across the Middle East. As the Commercial Director, you will be responsible for driving revenue through asset optimisation across our current portfolio of clients, as well as identifying new prospective partners for the agency. The ideal candidate will have an extensive network of contacts across both rights holders, and brands, as well as exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record in developing successful partnerships and driving revenue, with a specific focus on the Middle East region.

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

·       Define, implement and manage 54’s commercial strategy in the Middle East, aligning with global commercial objectives ·       Identify, nurture and close revenue generating opportunities on behalf of existing and new rights holder clients – with a specific focus on brand sponsorships and host venue agreements  ·       Lead negotiations and contract discussions with potential partners, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements·       Build out local sales team with previous experience in representing major rights holders across the MENA region ·       Identify investors for new sports IP and start-up leagues that 54 is involved in ·       Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activities to identify new partnership opportunities and maintain a competitive edge·       Identify and secure strategic partnership opportunities that align with the company's objectives and target market ·       Lead and mentor a team, providing guidance and support in executing partnership initiatives·       Develop and manage the regional commercial budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources 

SPECIAL SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/APTITUDES NEEDED:

•         Proven track record in sourcing, delivering and managing revenue generating partnerships in sport on behalf of rights holders – either direct or in an agency •         Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team•         Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels•         Strategic thinker with the ability to identify partnership opportunities and develop innovative solutions•         Analytical mindset with proficiency in data analysis and reporting•         Strong business acumen and understanding of market dynamics •         Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities•         Arabic & English proficiency preferred  

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Discretionary Company Bonus – up to 8% - 3% Company & 5% Individual
• 33 days annual leave (+ public holidays), pro-rated
• Working hours will be from 09.00 to 17.30 Sunday to Thursday with an hour taken for lunch between 12.00 and 14.00