Overview

Our client, a leading force in the media landscape, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Head of Commercial Operations to provide strategic leadership, optimize operations, and unify core revenue-generating functions. This is a pivotal role for a results-driven professional who will shape the future of the company's commercial operations and directly contribute to its 2026 strategic goals.

The role reports directly to the Managing Director and will be the unifying force behind Advertising & Events, Production, and Distribution divisions. The role is also accountable for operational excellence, commercial growth, and process efficiency across the entire value chain.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership

Translate corporate strategy into actionable commercial and operational plans.

Revenue growth

Drive advertising, events, and circulation revenue through innovative sales and distribution strategies.

Operational excellence

• Standardize workflows.
• Implement continuous improvement systems.
• Manage KPIs for turnaround time, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Digital transformation

• Lead the implementation of digital dashboards.
• Drive automation in production scheduling.
• Strengthen data-driven decision-making.

Stakeholder management

• Collaborate with Finance, Editorial, and HR to ensure commercial alignment.
• Manage key external partnerships with clients, agencies, and logistics providers.

People leadership

• Mentor and lead a team of managers.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance.

Qualifications and experience

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Media Management, Operations, or a related field. An MBA or Master's degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in publishing, commercial management, or media operations.
• Proven expertise in advertising sales, production, distribution, and logistics management.
• Demonstrable experience in leading digital transformation and commercial systems automation.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing significant operational budgets.
• Experience leading multi-departmental teams across sales, operations, or logistics functions.

Other skills and competencies

• Exceptional strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Data-driven with strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Outstanding leadership, coaching, and team development abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• In-depth knowledge of media workflows, supply chain systems, and advertising sales.

• Translate corporate strategy into actionable commercial and operational plans
• Drive advertising, events, and circulation revenue through innovative sales and distribution strategies
• Standardize workflows
• Implement continuous improvement systems
• Manage KPIs for turnaround time, quality, and customer satisfaction
• Lead the implementation of digital dashboards
• Drive automation in production scheduling
• Strengthen data-driven decision-making
• Collaborate with Finance, Editorial, and HR to ensure commercial alignment
• Manage key external partnerships with clients, agencies, and logistics providers
• Mentor and lead a team of managers
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance

• Exceptional strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Data-driven with strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Outstanding leadership, coaching, and team development abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• In-depth knowledge of media workflows, supply chain systems, and advertising sales

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Media Management, Operations, or a related field
• An MBA or Master's degree is preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in publishing, commercial management, or media operations
• Proven expertise in advertising sales, production, distribution, and logistics management
• Demonstrable experience in leading digital transformation and commercial systems automation
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing significant operational budgets
• Experience leading multi-departmental teams across sales, operations, or logistics functions