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Commercial Manager

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Commercial Manager – Optician Portfolio
Hybrid: Herne Hill, 3 days in the office
Salary: £35,000 to £40,000, depending on experience and company benefits.
Commission: uncapped commission
Contract: Permanent, full-time
At Mark Allen, we create specialist content, events, data and insight for professional communities across sectors that matter.
We're looking for an ambitious Commercial Manager to help drive the next phase of growth across our market-leading optician portfolio. This is an opportunity to take ownership of a well-established and respected brand, working with some of the biggest names in the optical sector while developing innovative commercial partnerships that deliver real value for clients.
You'll have the freedom to identify opportunities, shape commercial solutions and influence the future direction of the portfolio. Working across media, digital, recruitment, subscriptions, events and sponsorship, you'll play a central role in growing revenue, strengthening client relationships and bringing new ideas to market.
This is a role for someone who enjoys the challenge of winning new business, building long-term partnerships and spotting opportunities others might miss. You'll be trusted to make decisions, encouraged to contribute ideas and supported by experienced colleagues across editorial, production and marketing. Whether you're looking to broaden your commercial expertise, deepen your sector knowledge or take the next step in your career, you'll find plenty of opportunity to develop at Mark Allen.
You Will
What you’ll be doing
- Drive new business growth across the optician portfolio through proactive prospecting, networking and relationship building.
- Develop and manage strategic relationships with both existing and prospective clients, identifying opportunities to increase spend and deliver long-term revenue growth.
- Sell integrated commercial solutions across print, digital, events, sponsorship, subscriptions, recruitment and employer branding offerings.
- Build and maintain a strong sales pipeline through client meetings, market outreach, exhibitions and industry conferences.
- Attend industry events across the UK to generate leads, strengthen relationships and increase market presence.
- Work closely with editorial, production and marketing teams to ensure successful campaign delivery and excellent client satisfaction.
- Use market insight, client feedback and performance data to identify opportunities, respond to trends and improve commercial outcomes.
- Contribute to the development of new products, services and commercial initiatives while supporting budget delivery and portfolio growth.
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Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Must-haves
- Proven experience in sales, business development and account management, with a track record of generating new business and growing existing accounts.
- Confidence building relationships with senior decision-makers and developing long-term strategic partnerships.
- Strong organisational skills, commercial awareness and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- A consultative sales approach, with the ability to understand client objectives and create tailored commercial solutions.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience within publishing, B2B media, healthcare markets, recruitment or data solutions.
- Understanding of integrated media, digital, event sponsorship and recruitment products.
- Experience identifying new revenue streams and contributing to product development initiatives.
- Knowledge of the optical sector or related professional markets.


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If you do not meet every requirement but bring transferable skills, sound judgement and fresh thinking, we encourage you to apply.
Why join Mark Allen Group?
Mark Allen is a specialist media business with more than 40 years of experience building trusted brands for professional audiences.
You will join a business that combines respected legacy brands with the need to keep evolving, giving you the chance to contribute ideas, improve how we work and see the impact of what you do.
We Offer
- Hybrid working.
- Real ownership in your role.
- Development through hands-on learning, mentoring and internal progression.
- Exposure to specialist markets and loyal professional audiences.
- A culture shaped by our values: Passionate, Creative, Nurturing and Fair.
How To Apply
Apply through our careers site with your CV.
You may also include a short note telling us what attracted you to the role and what you would bring to it.
A video introduction is completely optional and will not disadvantage your application.
Right to work: Applicants must have the right to live and work in (country). We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
About Us
For over 40 years, Mark Allen Group has built and grown specialist media brands that inform, connect and support professional communities, combining trusted content, data, events and insight.
We are a commercial media owner with a long-term mindset, balancing strong legacy brands with innovation and evolution. Our people play a central role in shaping how our audiences engage with us today and how we grow for the future.
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