Events

• Provide commercial leadership and strategic oversight to the events function, empowering the Head of Events to lead day-to-day operational delivery.
• Ensure effective planning, budgeting, commercial performance, risk management and delivery across the company's events portfolio.
• Support the commercial development of existing awards, conferences and live events while identifying opportunities for future growth.
• Work closely with editorial colleagues to ensure events continue to reflect the authority and reputation of both brands.

Marketing & Audience Growth

• Provide hands-on leadership, support and strategic direction to the Brand Marketing Manager in leading marketing strategy supporting subscriptions, events and commercial activity.
• Work with editorial, customer service and other relevant teams to deliver subscriber acquisition, retention and revenue objectives.
• Oversee CRM, subscription platforms, marketing technology and audience insight.
• Ensure marketing activity is data-led, measurable and aligned with commercial priorities.

Leadership & Operations

• Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing management team.
• Ensure sales, events and marketing plans are integrated, with clear priorities, timelines, ownership and shared commercial objectives.
• Provide regular coaching, constructive challenge and timely feedback.
• Foster collaboration across departments, ensuring sales, marketing, events and editorial teams work effectively together.
• Lead by example, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and shared success.
• Take ownership of departmental budgets, forecasting and performance reporting.
• Oversee key commercial suppliers, agencies and major contracts.
• Contribute to wider company planning and strategic projects as required.

What we're looking for

Essential

• Significant senior sales leadership experience, including direct responsibility for delivering revenue and leading sales teams.
• Significant experience leading commercial, sales or business development teams.
• Experience managing multiple functions and leading managers.
• A proven track record of winning, growing and retaining major commercial clients.
• Strong commercial judgement and experience delivering sustainable revenue growth.
• Confidence reviewing pipelines, challenging forecasts and intervening to improve performance where required.
• Excellent negotiation skills and experience securing high-value advertising, sponsorship, partnership or event agreements.
• Strong financial literacy, including budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting.
• A confident and experienced people manager skilled in developing high-performing teams.
• Comfortable combining supportive approach with constructive challenge.
• Calm, pragmatic and resilient under pressure.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience using CRM systems and Microsoft Office.

Desirable

• Experience within media, publishing, events or another audience-led business

How we work at Playbook Media

Our culture is just as important as our commercial success. We recruit people who demonstrate our values every day.

Excellence – Star Performer

You take pride in delivering exceptional work, continually improving and setting high standards for yourself and those around you.

Passion – Ink in our Veins

You are driven, curious and commercially energised by the industries we serve. You take pride in understanding our customers, spotting opportunities and building relationships that create real value.

Independence – For the Industry, Not of the Industry

You build trust through honesty, balanced judgement and professional integrity, always acting in the best interests of business and the customers we serve.

Stewardship – Play the Long Game

You think beyond today's sale, building sustainable client partnerships that contribute to the long-term success of Playbook Media and the industries we serve.

As part of the team, we all strive to be:

• Humble – We think of others, welcome feedback, share success and learn from mistakes.
• Hungry – We take ownership, look for opportunities to improve and deliver with energy and purpose.
• Smart – We are people smart: we communicate thoughtfully, build trusted relationships and approach challenges with emotional intelligence.

Additional Information

• Normal working hours are 9 am - 5 pm, with occasional evening or weekend work to cover events. This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, requiring at least three days a week at the Playbook Media office on Bermondsey Street, SE1, with opportunities for remote work on the other days.
• Travel: Some international travel (e.g. world book fairs) and local industry events
• Start date: Oct 2026
• Closing date: 24 August 2026

Please note: We review applications on a rolling basis and may close this vacancy early. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of background, and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences that diversity brings. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.