Pathway · Step up
Partnerships Manager to Head of Commercial / Commercial Director
How to move from Partnerships Manager to Head of Commercial / Commercial Director: what to learn, what to prove and what formal steps, if any, are needed.
Qualification check for Head of Commercial / Commercial Director
Helpful
A qualification can help, but experience and results decide this move. No qualification is required. Appointments are made on revenue record and leadership.
2 to 4 yearstypical timeline
2new skills to build
2qualifications to consider
+160%mid-point UK pay change, illustrative
The move at a glance
Partnerships Manager
Manages relationships with sponsors and delivers the partnership.
Head of Commercial / Commercial Director
Leads club revenue from sponsorship, ticketing, retail and brand.
Skills and knowledge to build
Experience and routes that help
Qualifications to consider
Tools to learn
What the new role asks of you
- Set the commercial strategy and revenue targets
- Lead commercial teams and key partners
- Report to the chief executive and board
Practical steps
- Ask for a small piece of the new role's work before you apply, for example one of the tasks above.
- Close the top gap first: Leadership.
- Keep a record of two results that show you working at the next level.
- Talk to three people who do the job. Ask how they got in, and who they would recommend you speak to.