Commercial And Marketing Director

About the Company

Calicut FC is Keralas rising football powerhouse, established with the vision to inspire and empower youth towards a healthier future through sports and games. Backed by The IBS Groupone of Indias pioneering IT companiesCalicut FC made an emphatic debut by winning the inaugural Super League Kerala (SLK) Championship in 2024. Representing the football-passionate Kozhikode district, the club has quickly built a strong following, amassing over 100,000 social media fans in just six months. Our mission is to become Indias leading football club, renowned for its performance excellence, professionalism and vast fan base. Professionally managed and rooted in the core values of Passion, Commitment, Teamwork, Integrity, and Respect, the club is investing in top-tier infrastructure, strong community engagement, and sustainable growth.

About the Role

Roles and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Craft and execute Calicut FCs brand strategy, positioning the club as alternative to KBFC
• Lead fan acquisition, retention, and engagement programs both online and offline.
• Oversee content creation, social media, merchandising, and matchday experiences.
• Build strategic marketing campaigns to drive sponsorship, ticket sales, memberships, and digital growth.
• Foster fan communities through grassroots connections, school programs, and supporter clubs.
• Leverage data insights to refine campaigns and maximize fan loyalty.
• Develop partnerships that amplify the clubs reach and cultural relevance.
• Lead all revenue-generating verticals of the club, ensuring financial growth and stability.
• Secure sponsorships, partnerships, and commercial collaborations aligned with the clubs values.
• Oversee merchandising strategy and retail operations, creating products fans love.
• Drive ticketing and membership programs with a focus on value and loyalty.
• Build innovative monetization models, expand the revenue platform including digital revenues and licensing.
• Maintain strong sponsor relationships with a focus on activation and retention.
• Support major events, tournaments, and brand tie-ups that elevate the club's profile.

Strategy Development

• To expand brand reach, grow the fanbase, and increase viewership, articulating What, How, Outcomes and Capability

Execution of the strategy

• Content and collaterals
• Partnerships & Associations - Clubs, Schools, Academies, Communities, Social Media / Event Partner, FM Partner
• Channels - Events & promotions, Campaigns, Press & Media, Conferences, Digital Media, Ads & Hoardings
• Measure and report outcomes and continued refinement of the approach

Strategy

• Develop a commercial strategy aimed at driving revenue growth & long-term financial stability

Sponsorships & Partnerships

• Define the sponsorship offering, including collaterals, decks, and proposals.
• Identify target segments, value propositions and pricing models for each sponsor category.
• Lead outreach, positioning, negotiation, and closure of sponsorship and partnership deals.

Merchandise Strategy

• Define product offerings, identify distribution channels and partners.
• Develop pricing, promotional strategies, and seasonal campaigns to maximize sales and brand visibility.

Ticketing & Matchday Revenue

• Design overall ticketing strategy, pricing, sales partnerships, and promotions

Revenue Platform Expansion

• Identify & develop new revenue streams - club memberships, brand licensing, digital monetization (e.g., YouTube), branded entertainment (reality content), other innovative opportunities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in building sports / entertainments / retail / real-estate brands and fan communities.
• Strong expertise in digital marketing, content creation, and fan engagement.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to personalize and optimize fan experiences.
• Excellent storytelling and brand communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in revenue generation across sponsorships, ticketing, merchandising, and digital.
• Good understanding of Keralas football culture and regional sensibilities.
• Strong corporate network, particularly within Kerala and national markets.
• Skilled negotiator with experience managing high-value partnerships.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of developing scalable, sustainable revenue models.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Preferably an MBA or graduate with relevant experience in sports, entertainment, or brand marketing