Commercial Manager - FTC 12-month maternity cover (up to £45k per annum)

Immediate is home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food and BBC Gardeners’ World magazine. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.

We’re the destination for people looking to get more from the things they love. We’re here to inspire, fuel, encourage and educate.

Whether it’s the big things, or the little things; from reaching fitness goals to savouring good food, cultivating outdoor spaces, or enjoying the latest TV sensation – we help bring our audiences joy!

About the role

As a Commercial Manager, you will be responsible for sponsorship revenues against the Festive Good Food Show and Good Food Festival (alongside BBC Gardeners’ World Live at Packington Estate; additionally you will contribute to stand sales targets through sale of brand activation sites and larger footprint stands. This role requires a strategic thinker with excellent relationship-building skills and a proven track record in sponsorship sales who will generate new business as well as manage existing and lapsed client accounts.

This role is a 12-month FTC replacing the Sponsorship Manager, reporting into the Event Director for the Festive Good Food Show, working closely with the Event Director of Packington and the Head of Sales – Food & Outdoor to ensure targets are met across the events. You will also collaborate with wider Immediate colleagues within the brand and Ad teams.

You’ll love this role if;

You are passionate about events and have a keen interest in the food and festival industry. You enjoy building and maintaining relationships with large clients, thinking creatively to come up with new ideas and bespoke solutions and you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, working as part of a high performing team.

As Commercial Manager you will;

• Actively identify, approach and pitch new business sponsorships across all events within the portfolio, ensuring that any opportunity aligns with the strategic pillars of each event.
• You will approach clients across multiple industries and principles to ensure that there is a good coverage of leads.
• Use Linkedin Sales Nav and Pearlfinders to identify and approach new business opportunities and tailor bespoke pitches using these tools.
• Attend and research competitive events for each show and identify and proactively approach their sponsors and partners, as well as use initiative to approach rival brands.
• With the help of the sponsorship executive, ensure that the 2027 sponsorship opportunities deck is up to date with any new information, opportunities, branding and imagery.
• Work alongside the Event Director and Creative Producer, you will join status calls with existing clients and any new clients that are onboarded.
• Generate new business opportunities through market research, tailored proposals, and senior stakeholder relationship building.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and event teams to deliver sponsorship agreements and promotional materials.
• Maintain sponsor records, track performance through CRM reporting, and support post-show retention and upsell strategies.
• Identify stand sales and brand activation opportunities where sponsorship is not the right fit, maximising commercial value for clients and events.

Requirements

• Proven experience in commercial sales and account management
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software
• Management experience is advantageous but not essential

Benefits

• A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
• Supportive well-being initiatives and benefits, talks & workshops, and Mental Health First aiders & Champions
• 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday. Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s which are in addition to your annual entitlement
• Tailored training and development through both our inhouse learning platform and LinkedIn Learning
• A progressive and transparent culture focused on your development  
• Flexible / hybrid working
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave. We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy
• Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance

At Immediate, we pride ourselves on our open, inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic culture that empowers our people to thrive and give their best. We care deeply about our people, our local communities and the impact we have on the environment. Our active Diversity & Inclusion network, comprehensive well-being programs, and clear sustainability strategies reflect this commitment.

People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We’ll never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief or disability. We’re also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave or caring responsibilities.

Immediate is a place you can grow, be supported, and make a difference.