Director - Commercial Partnerships
Qiddiya | القدية
Role Purpose:
Lead all commercial activities for this heritage and cultural programme including partnerships, sponsorships, retail, and revenue generation, ensuring delivery of financial targets and integration of commercial opportunities across programming and operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Revenue Strategy & Performance Delivery
Develop and execute the overall commercial strategy aligned with asset objectives and financial targets
Define revenue models across all streams including sponsorships, retail, F&B, ticketing (if applicable), and activations
Lead revenue planning, forecasting, and target setting in alignment with cultural programming plans and overall asset financial expectations, in coordination with Finance & Performance
Own delivery of revenue targets and ensure alignment between commercial activities and financial performance
Continuously optimize revenue streams through pricing, product mix, and commercial innovation
Partnerships & Sponsorships:
Develop and manage a structured sponsorship and partnership strategy aligned with programming and marketing plans
Identify, negotiate, and secure high-value sponsorship and partnership agreements
Design sponsorship packages, in collaboration with Programming and Marketing teams, that integrate with cultural programming, experiences, and the visitor journey
Manage relationships with sponsors and partners to ensure delivery of contractual obligations and value realization
Drive long-term strategic partnerships that enhance both revenue and experience
Source, secure, and manage both commercial and non-commercial partners supporting - cultural programming and broader asset operating model and strategic initiatives
Maintain and manage relationships with key government and cultural partners, ensuring alignment with programming objectives and overall asset priorities, in coordination with the Cultural Ecosystem & Stakeholder Engagement functio
Retail, F&B & Commercial Operations:
Oversee all retail, F&B, and commercial activations across the site
Define commercial mix, tenant strategy, and allocation of retail and F&B spaces
Manage performance of operators and vendors to ensure quality, compliance, and revenue delivery
Ensure commercial offerings are aligned with cultural programming and visitor experience
Monitor sales performance and optimize commercial operations accordingly
Integration with Programming & Experience:
Work closely with Programming to embed commercial opportunities within cultural experiences
Ensure programming supports revenue generation through activations, sponsorships, and retail integration
Align commercial activities with visitor flow, dwell time, and engagement strategies
Balance commercial objectives with cultural integrity and experience quality
Ensure commercial partnerships and revenue initiatives are fully integrated into cultural programming
Commercial Performance & Optimization:
Monitor and analyze performance across all revenue streams (sponsorship, retail, F&B, etc.)
Track KPIs including revenue per visitor, conversion rates, and commercial yield
Identify underperforming areas and implement corrective actions
Provide regular reporting and insights to GM and overall leadership team.
Vendor & Operator Management
Oversee commercial vendor and operator selection in coordination with Procurement
Manage contracts, commercial terms, and performance agreements
Ensure compliance with operational, financial, and brand standards
Maintain strong relationships with operators to ensure consistency and performance
Asset & Group Alignment:
Align commercial strategy and performance with Asset Management direction and expectations
Provide input into business planning, budgeting, and revenue forecasting cycles
Coordinate with Group functions where required (e.g., legal, procurement, finance)
Key Success Metrics
Revenue generation and achievement of targets
Sponsorship and partnership value
Retail and F&B performance
Requirements
Required Skills & Competencies
Strong commercial and revenue generation experience
Experience in sponsorships, partnerships, and retail operations
Negotiation and contract management skills
Ability to link commercial strategy with experience delivery
Financial and performance management capability
Experience Profile
Experience overseeing retail, F&B, or commercial operations within large-scale venues, events, or destinations
Strong understanding of:
Commercial mix and tenant strategy
Operator management and performance optimization
Revenue generation through on-ground activations
Experience working within:
Large-scale events, festivals, or entertainment platforms
Destination or precinct-based environments
Ability to link visitor experience with revenue generation
Strong understanding of:
Revenue planning, forecasting, and performance tracking
Commercial KPIs (e.g., revenue per visitor, conversion, yield)
Ability to use data and insights to optimize commercial performance
Proven experience leading commercial teams and managing cross-functional collaboration
Ability to operate in:
Fast-paced, high-pressure environments
Complex, multi-stakeholder settings
Experience working with government entities and large organizations is preferred
