PURPOSE

The Hundred is a sporting event like no other. World class entertainment, the world’s best players and the women’s and men’s games on equal footing. It is the highest profile new sports event to launch in the UK for many years and received extensive media coverage, broadcast across Sky Sports and BBC Sport.  The Hundred boasts partners who share our passion and energy for high-class sport and entertainment. The department is fun, energetic and lively with a “start-up” mentality. 

This role is accountable to the Chief Commercial Officer and the Managing Director, The Hundred, for increasing the revenues of The Hundred, through the commercial partnership programme, merchandising and new business development activity. The role is also responsible for supporting the Marketing Director, The Hundred in developing and implementing aspects of the marketing strategy for The Hundred.

The successful applicant will have outstanding strategic vision and negotiating skills with a sound knowledge and understanding of the commercial models of sport at both international and domestic levels. A track record of successful involvement with sports sponsorship and a strong understanding of the end-to-end process – from packaging to relationship management – is essential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate an excellent ability to devise, develop and deliver sponsorship agreements; to understand and implement partner requirements in a way that delivers strong, measurable ROI for both the partner and the ECB; and to manage processes and people, including engagement with a complex, matrixed stakeholder environment.

The role will work closely with the England Cricket Sales & Marketing Director and The Hundred Marketing Director to ensure cricket’s broader portfolio of brands, competitions and commercial partnerships grow revenue and are strategically aligned.

WHO WE ARE

The England and Wales Cricket Board is the national governing body for all cricket in England and Wales, supporting the game at every level – from grassroots to professional.

We believe cricket is a force for good that can have an enduring impact on everyone’s lives, and we have an ambitious strategy to inspire a generation to say, ‘cricket is a game for me’. It provides great entertainment. It teaches important skills, both physical and social.  It can help inclusion and social cohesion, bringing communities together.

The ECB welcomes applications from all backgrounds to ensure we deliver our Inspiring Generations strategy and fulfil our purpose to connect communities and improve lives through cricket.

OUR VALUES

• Stronger As One Team – We are stronger together. We allow for individual strengths and beliefs but head in the same direction. We respect, support, and really listen to each other along the way.

• Push New Boundaries – We are bold, brave and curious. We challenge and don’t settle. We forge the future whilst remembering our roots.

• Be The Best In The Game – On & Off The Pitch – We train hard. We strive to be our best to help the team be the best. We celebrate our victories and learn from our let downs.

• Passion For Play – We are here to inspire & be inspired. We are serious about what we do, but don’t take ourselves seriously. We enjoy the journey and have fun.

YOU’LL LOVE THIS JOB IF

• You are passionate about building collaborative relationships across a network of key stakeholders.

• You want to have a positive impact on the game by increasing revenues and attracting new people to Cricket.

• You have excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence.

YOU’LL BE DOING

During a fixed-term contract of 12 months’ duration, the Commercial Director will be accountable for all sales, in-house activation and partner management for The Hundred, including:

• Developing new sponsorship and commercial models to capitalise on the enormous success of The Hundred in its first two years

• Overseeing the renewal of several key sponsorship agreements that expire during the period

• Implementing new business development opportunities, such as NFTs, for The Hundred

• Managing the intersections between commercial and operational activities, including, in particular, ticketing operations across ECB departments, counties, the digital portfolio and agency partners

• Working to identify and secure strategic partners (such as, in the previous iterations of the competition, Lego, Universal Films and Topps) who can help to build the long-term brand and value of The Hundred

• Developing the strategy, planning and execution of ECB’s sales activities in order to be accountable for annual sales targets

• Leading the sales process for new sponsorship including a new Presenting Partner for The Hundred

• Identifying ways to support partners’ activation plans utilising ECB assets, and in particular digital infrastructure

• Leading on the licensing, merchandise and retail strategy for The Hundred, in line with the brand and revenue ambitions for the competition

• Ensuring all assets are used effectively to make the commercial partnership portfolio and proposition fit for purpose during the next commercial cycle

• Managing a small Commercial Partnerships team and ECB’s relationships with associated agencies

• Leading the Commercial Partnerships team and directing The Hundred’s relationships with its key commercial partners including KP Snacks, Sage, Unilever, Vitality, Dream11, Robinson’s, New Balance, New Er, Masuri and others

• Being responsible for ensuring that the ECB’s message is distributed across channels and to targeted audiences in order to meet marketing and sales objectives of both ECB and the wider cricket network.

• Delivering preferred partners, sponsors and advertisers consistent with ECB’s Inspiring Generations strategy for cricket.

• Being accountable for the recruitment, management and interaction of senior personnel within the Commercial Department.

• Being responsible for managing The Hundred’s commercial relationships with the PCA and the Counties.

• Building cooperative and collaborative relationships with senior level colleagues across the ECB as well as in the First-Class Counties and the MCC.

  The ambition of the ECB is to inspire a generation to say that “cricket is a game for me”. 80% of ECB’s revenue is currently generated through broadcasting. ECB wishes to diversify this reliance by expanding its income generation from sponsorship and preferred partners with a new commercial model which is aligned to our next strategic cycle.

YOU’LL HAVE

• An analytical and creative nature.

• A deep understanding of audiences and consumer brands.

• Strong relationships across sport, brand marketing and broadcast.

• Knowledge in a variety of disciplines including sales, marketing, sports sponsorship, ticketing ops and digital

• Experience with legal agreements and agreeing contracts.

• A sound track record in strategic planning.

• Outstanding sales and negotiating skills.

• The successful candidate will be deadline driven and a high achiever in sales delivery.

• Working knowledge of CRM systems and market research is required.

YOU’LL RECEIVE

• Competitive salary

• Holiday - 25 days a year

• Volunteering – 2 days a year

• Pension - Non-contributory 8% pension

• Private medical insurance

• Employee health cash-back plan

• Long-term sickness insurance

• Life assurance - four times your annual basic salary

• Enhanced maternity

• Unmind – free and confidential access to a wellbeing app to help you manage your mental, physical, and financial wellbeing

• OpenBlend - an innovative coaching and performance management tool

• People Academy - a range of programmes and initiatives to help you develop and reach your potential

• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential access to expert services including counselling, wellbeing, and independent legal and financial advice

• Free online fitness classes

• 30% Castore discount

• Cycle 2 Work Scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Preferential access to tickets to England and The Hundred games