Job Title:
Senior Director of Commercial and Advancement
Section:
Operations
Department:
Commercial & Advancement
Reporting to:
Vice President of Operations
Job Purpose:
The Senior Director of Commercial and Advancement plays a key role in ensuring the institution's financial resilience through innovative revenue strategies and strategic fundraising. This executive position oversees all commercial operations, including retail, hospitality, venue hire, and licensing, as well as advancement initiatives such as sponsorships, philanthropy, membership, and partnerships.
Combining commercial insight with cultural sensitivity, the Senior Director leads efforts to increase income, expand the institution's supporter base, and enhance the visitor experience. The role requires an exceptional communicator and relationship builder with a proven ability to engage diverse stakeholders across government, business, and the broader community to generate resources and build lasting support.
As a senior leader, the incumbent will drive a bold, future-facing strategy to support the institution's mission, values, and long-term growth.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Strategy and Planning:
- Develop and implement integrated commercial and advancement strategies to achieve and exceed the organization's annual revenue goals, including retail, F&B, events, lettings, and services.
- Align commercial planning with the institution's vision, mission, and operational objectives.
- Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve and exceed annual revenue targets.
- Develop and execute the institution's pricing strategy.
Budget Management:
- Develop, manage, and monitor the department's budget in collaboration with the Finance Department.
- Oversee financial forecasting to ensure sustainable and efficient operations.
Revenue Generation & Business Development:
- Oversee the organization's commercial outlets (shop, caf, VIP services, etc.), including delivery models and service standards.
- Maximize revenue opportunities through licensing, venue hire, events, and product development.
- Develop benefit packages for corporate sponsors and philanthropic partners.
Partnerships & Sponsorships:
- Identify and cultivate private, public, and third-sector partnerships aligned with the institution's mission.
- Lead the negotiation of partnership and sponsorship agreements, focusing on impact and shared value.
- Ensure cross-departmental coordination in activating and delivering sponsor benefits.
Visitor Experience & Brand Value:
- Coordinate with communications and cultural departments to ensure commercial offerings enhance the visitor experience and support brand integrity.
- Regularly evaluate customer satisfaction and business performance to refine services.
Policies, Processes, and Procedures:
- Ensure compliance with financial, legal, and organizational standards across all revenue-generating activities.
- Define fundraising and sponsorship guidelines for exhibitions, programs, and capital campaigns.
- Design and implement the institution's VIP, membership, and donor engagement programs.
- Uphold the institution's values, ethical standards, and governance principles.
Functional Accountabilities:
- Lead the planning and implementation of innovative commercial initiatives, partnerships, and sponsorships to diversify income streams.
- Oversee marketing and public relations efforts that promote the institution's offerings and enhance its public profile.
- Ensure accurate assessment and analysis of visitor data to inform strategic decisions related to exhibitions, events, and programming.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure alignment between commercial strategies and institutional objectives.
- Lead (in cooperation with the Special Events Department) the institution's annual gala.
- Represent the institution at external functions, conferences, and community engagements to advocate for its mission and objectives.
- Analyze market trends and visitor behavior to support data-driven decision-making.
Stakeholder Management:
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with government entities, donors, sponsors, and corporate partners.
- Represent the institution at external engagements, conferences, and public forums.
- Advocate for the institution's mission and secure support for key programs and initiatives.
People Management:
- Lead and support administrative and functional staff.
- Coordinate onboarding processes and support HR-related activities.
- Manage team performance in line with established policies and procedures.
- Mentor and develop Commercial and Advancement teams to ensure continuous growth and achievement of objectives.
- Set clear performance goals, provide regular feedback, and support professional development through coaching and formal evaluations.
- Delegate authority appropriately to empower team members and promote accountability.
- Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, and performance management while fostering employee engagement.
- Promote a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative work culture aligned with institutional values.
- Encourage innovation and maintain high professional standards across the department.
- Direct and manage teams in developing and executing commercial and promotional strategies aligned with organizational goals.
Job Qualifications and Requirements:
Knowledge and Experience:
- Minimum of 12 years of executive-level experience in commercial revenue generation (ideally within Saudi Arabia, particularly Riyadh), with exposure to arts, culture, or museum management.
- Extensive expertise in fundraising strategies, donor relations, grant writing, and major gifts.
- Demonstrated success in building and managing commercial initiatives and strategic partnerships.
- Experience with CRM systems and fundraising platforms for tracking, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
Education and Certifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (Master's degree strongly preferred).
- Preferred: International education in fundraising, nonprofit management, or hospitality.
Personal Capabilities and Qualifications:
- Entrepreneurial mindset with strong financial acumen.
- Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Strategic, creative thinker with a strong execution focus.
- Audience- and partner-focused, culturally sensitive, and professional.
- Ideally fluent in Arabic.
- Proficient in market research and data analysis to support audience-centric programming.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with proven success in community and corporate engagement.
