HEAD OF COMMERCIAL, PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Do you have the commercial leadership, strategic vision and professional experience to drive revenue growth, build high value partnerships and strengthen the positioning of football across East and Central Africa? CECAFA is looking to recruit a Head of Commercial, Partnerships and Strategic Communications.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and implementation of CECAFA’s commercial, partnerships and strategic communications agenda, with responsibility for strengthening the organisation’s commercial position, generating sustainable revenue, securing and managing strategic partnerships, and enhancing the value and visibility of CECAFA competitions, programmes and institutional brand.

The position reports to the Executive Director.

• Develop and implement CECAFA’s commercial, partnerships and strategic communications strategy, establishing clear revenue targets and priorities aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Identify, develop and secure sustainable revenue opportunities through sponsorships, strategic partnerships, broadcasting, advertising, licensing, digital platforms, content and other commercial assets available to CECAFA.
• Develop compelling commercial propositions, sponsorship packages, partnership concepts, presentations and business cases around CECAFA competitions, programmes, events, digital platforms and institutional assets.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective sponsors and partners and lead commercial negotiations with corporate organisations, broadcasters, agencies, institutions and other strategic stakeholders within delegated authority.
• Manage relationships with existing sponsors and strategic partners, ensuring professional account management and effective delivery, monitoring and reporting of agreed contractual rights, benefits and obligations.
• Lead the strategic positioning and development of the CECAFA brand and provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s communications, media and digital functions to strengthen visibility, audience engagement and commercial value.
• Work closely with the Competitions Department and other relevant functions to integrate sponsorship, branding, broadcast, media, digital and partner requirements into CECAFA competitions, programmes and events.
• Identify emerging commercial, media and digital trends and develop innovative opportunities that strengthen CECAFA’s revenue base, audience reach, institutional profile and value proposition to partners.
• Monitor and evaluate commercial performance, sponsorship exposure, media reach, digital engagement and partner value, and provide regular reports, forecasts and recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Prepare and manage annual commercial plans, departmental work plans and budgets, protect CECAFA’s commercial and brand interests, represent CECAFA in relevant engagements when authorised, and carry out any other related duties assigned by the Executive Director.

Requirements and Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Commerce, Communications, Sports Management, International Business or another relevant field. A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in commercial development, sponsorship, partnerships, marketing, media rights, business development, strategic communications or a related field, including at least three years in a senior or managerial role.
• Demonstrated track record of identifying, developing, negotiating and securing significant commercial partnerships, sponsorships or other revenue generating opportunities.
• Proven ability to translate organisational, sporting, media or digital assets into compelling commercial propositions and measurable revenue opportunities.
• Strong understanding of sponsorship, commercial partnerships, brand management, broadcasting, media, digital platforms and the evolving sports business environment.
• Excellent commercial judgment, negotiation, presentation and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage confidently and professionally with senior executives, partners and other high-level stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking, leadership and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to translate strategy into measurable results and manage multiple priorities within demanding deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop high quality commercial proposals, presentations, reports and strategic communications.
• High level of integrity, accountability, discretion and professional judgment. Experience within football, sport, media, entertainment or a regional or international organisation will be an added advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other languages used within the CECAFA region will be an added advantage.

What CECAFA Offers

• An opportunity to play a senior role in shaping the commercial growth and strategic positioning of football across East and Central Africa.
• Significant responsibility and opportunity to develop new partnerships, commercial opportunities and sustainable revenue streams for CECAFA.
• A dynamic regional and international working environment involving football stakeholders, Member Associations, commercial partners and other institutions.
• Professional exposure through CECAFA competitions, programmes and engagement with football stakeholders across Africa and internationally.
• Employment conditions in accordance with CECAFA policies and the terms applicable to the position.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates who meet the requirements of the position are invited to submit their application in English, including a motivation letter, updated Curriculum Vitae, copies of relevant academic and professional qualifications, and contact details of professional referees.

Applications should be submitted to careers@cecafaonline.com, with “Head of Commercial, Partnerships and Strategic Communications” clearly indicated in the email subject line.

Application deadline: 30 September 2026.

Only applications meeting the required criteria will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CECAFA is committed to fair, professional and merit-based recruitment and welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates.