Director Commercial and Partnerships - Film Studio (SPA5-50012960)
Qiddiya | القدية
Role:Role Purpose
Lead the commercial direction of the Film Studio asset, with accountability for monetization strategy, leasing performance, strategic partnerships, and ecosystem development. The role shapes and executes the commercial model required to attract anchor tenants, production companies, creative enterprises, and industry partners, while optimizing asset value, enabling phased activation, and strengthening the Film Studio's position as a premier destination for the regional and global screen production ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Strategy, Monetization & Portfolio Performance
Define and lead the Film Studio's commercial strategy, ensuring alignment with the approved business plan, phased activation priorities, and long-term asset value objectives
Own the commercial performance framework for the asset, including revenue targets, occupancy ambitions, tenant mix priorities, and partnership value creation objectives
Shape monetization approaches across leasing, commercial partnerships, sponsorships, service offerings, and other revenue streams that strengthen financial sustainability
Direct the evaluation and prioritization of commercial opportunities based on strategic fit, financial return, ecosystem relevance, and operational feasibility
Lead the development of commercial business cases, strategic proposals, and investment recommendations for leadership review and approval
Leasing, Deal Leadership & Occupancy Strategy
Lead the leasing strategy for the Film Studio asset, including the attraction, conversion, and retention of tenants that enhance both commercial return and ecosystem quality
Build and actively manage a high-value commercial pipeline across target tenant segments, strategic occupiers, and anchor operators
Lead the structuring and negotiation of complex commercial terms, leasing arrangements, and occupancy models in partnership with relevant internal functions
Oversee tenant mix planning to ensure the asset is commercially balanced, strategically differentiated, and aligned with the intended positioning of the Film Studio
Drive occupancy, leasing velocity, and revenue outcomes across each stage of asset activation
Sponsor tenant mobilization and readiness planning to ensure commercial commitments translate into successful occupancy and operational launch
Strategic Partnerships & Ecosystem Development
Develop and lead the partnership agenda required to build a differentiated film and creative ecosystem around the asset, including relationships with studios, production companies, industry institutions, academic partners, and specialist service providers
Originate and secure strategic alliances that enhance market credibility, attract ecosystem participants, and create long-term commercial and sector-development value
Lead high-value partnership discussions and negotiation processes, ensuring collaboration models are commercially sound and strategically aligned
Champion the attraction of anchor tenants and flagship partners that accelerate market activation and strengthen the Film Studio's positioning
Represent the Film Studio in senior external forums, industry engagements, and strategic relationship-building activities to advance market presence and create commercial opportunities
Commercial Governance, Pricing & Decision Support
Ensure commercial proposals, leasing transactions, and partnership arrangements are developed within approved governance frameworks, delegated authorities, and commercial policies
Lead the development of pricing principles, commercial models, and partnership structures that balance competitiveness, value capture, and strategic intent
Provide robust commercial recommendations to leadership by integrating financial analysis, market evidence, asset considerations, and delivery implications
Partner closely with Finance, Legal, Asset Performance, and Operations to validate commercial assumptions, de-risk major transactions, and support informed decision-making
Review and endorse commercial submissions before escalation through the relevant approval process
Tenant & Partner Relationship Management
Own the senior relationship agenda for key tenants and strategic partners, ensuring strong engagement, long-term value realization, and sustained market confidence in the asset
Oversee the resolution of major commercial issues, escalations, and renewal discussions to protect revenue, reputation, and partnership continuity
Guide tenant and partner engagement approaches that strengthen retention, encourage expansion, and support advocacy within the wider industry ecosystem
Monitor commercial relationship health and service performance indicators, intervening where required to protect strategic accounts and portfolio outcomes
Market Intelligence, Positioning & Growth Development
Lead market sensing and competitive intelligence activities to inform commercial strategy, pricing decisions, target tenant priorities, and partnership development
Assess regional and global trends across film, production, media, and creative industries to identify emerging growth opportunities relevant to the asset
Translate market insight into strategic actions, including commercialization priorities, sector targeting, and recommendations to strengthen the Film Studio's competitive position
Contribute commercially grounded perspectives on market demand, industry shifts, and opportunity capture to broader strategic planning and business growth discussions
Leadership & Functional Stewardship
Lead, develop, and scale the Commercial Leasing & Partnerships function, establishing clear priorities, performance expectations, and capability requirements aligned with the asset's growth agenda
Foster a commercially disciplined, partnership-oriented, and market-facing culture that enables strong execution and cross-functional collaboration
Build functional capability in commercial negotiation, pipeline management, relationship leadership, and strategic account management
Ensure effective alignment with Operations, Finance, Legal, Asset Performance, Industry Programs, and enabling functions to translate commercial strategy into executable outcomes
Contribute as a senior functional leader to broader planning, governance, and organizational decision-making related to the Film Studio's development and activation
KPIs
Commercial Performance
Revenue achievement versus approved targets
Occupancy performance by phase and asset category
Commercial yield and portfolio value contribution
Leasing pipeline value and conversion performance
Partnership-generated commercial value
Tenant & Partner Management
Tenant retention and renewal rate
Strategic tenant and partner satisfaction measures
Anchor tenant and flagship partner acquisition
Partnership renewal and expansion rate
Business Development
Value of new commercial opportunities originated
Commercial conversion rate across priority segments
Success rate in securing target ecosystem participants
Operational Effectiveness
Leasing and deal cycle time
Turnaround time for major commercial submissions
Compliance with commercial governance and approval requirements
Candidate Profile
Education
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Real Estate, Marketing, Finance, Media, Entertainment Management, or related field.
MBA or postgraduate qualification preferred.
Experience
10-15 years of progressive experience in commercial leadership, leasing, partnerships, business development, or revenue-generating roles within complex operating or asset-based environments
At least 5 years in a senior leadership role with accountability for commercial performance, major external relationships, and cross-functional decision-making
Demonstrated track record in commercializing complex assets, destinations, creative infrastructure, or mixed-use environments involving multiple stakeholder groups and phased activation requirements
Experience in entertainment, media, hospitality, destination development, commercial real estate, cultural assets, or similarly dynamic sectors is strongly preferred
Preferred Background
Strong preference for candidates from:
Film studios and entertainment destinations
Media and creative industries
Commercial real estate and asset operators
Hospitality and destination operators
Cultural and creative districts
Large-scale mixed-use developments
Technical & Functional Expectations
Strong capability in shaping and executing commercial strategy for complex assets or destinations
Deep experience in leading leasing, occupancy, and monetization approaches across multiple commercial offerings
Proven ability to negotiate and structure high-value commercial and partnership arrangements
Strong understanding of asset economics, pricing logic, revenue optimization, and commercial governance requirements
Ability to build strategic external partnerships that support both commercial performance and ecosystem development
Strong executive stakeholder management skills, with credibility in engaging senior internal and external decision-makers
Ability to operate effectively in emerging markets or evolving sector contexts where market creation and ecosystem building are required
Key Competencies
Leadership Competencies
Strategic leadership
Commercial acumen
Influencing and negotiation
Stakeholder management
Decision making
Functional Competencies
Leasing and occupancy management
Business development
Partnership management
Revenue optimization
Commercial governance
Behavioral Competencies
Entrepreneurial mindset
Relationship building
Customer focus
Results orientation
Collaboration and teamwork