Please note that this role is based in Melbourne, but applications from Sydney and Brisbane will also be considered.

Build something meaningful in Australian sport.

Bowls is one of Australia's most loved community sports, with nearly 1,800 clubs making a real contribution to communities - both on and off the green - in metropolitan, regional and rural areas across the country.

Bowls Australia (BA) is a significant National Sporting Organisation with 40 staff and $9-10M turnover per annum, with well-planned ambitions for commercial growth to reinvest in the future of the sport at all levels. BA's Action Agenda 2025-28, Bold Bowls | Fun Bowls places financial growth at the heart of the organisation's strategy, and this role is central to delivering it.

With the Australian Jackaroos heading to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and World Bowls collaborating with BA on Olympic and Paralympic aspirations, this is an exciting moment to join the team. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), the Commercial Partnerships Manager is responsible for growing BA's partnership and commercial revenue across a national suite of assets including events, digital, broadcast, hospitality, national teams, club network and participation programs - prospecting and pitching to new partners, nurturing and growing existing relationships, and delivering outstanding partner experiences at our flagship events, the Bowls Premier League and Australian Open.

A rare opportunity to build something meaningful in Australian sport with real scope to grow alongside the program.

Key Areas of Responsibility

As a driven commercial sales professional, you will:

• Lead partnership prospecting and new business development in line with BA's partnerships growth targets
• Develop and pitch compelling commercial proposals to potential partners
• Negotiate and close partnership contracts
• Manage and service the full portfolio of existing commercial partners, ensuring all contractual obligations and entitlements are delivered to a high standard
• Upsell and renew existing partner relationships to maximise retention and revenue growth
• Manage and deliver corporate hospitality at major events (BPL and Australian Open)
• Lead Local/State Government partner relationships in collaboration with the GM Bowls Operations and Events
• Support the management of BA's licensing and merchandising program as required
• Champion a commercially focused culture across BA

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required

• Proven track record of negotiating and delivering commercial partnerships and achieving revenue targets
• Minimum 5 years' experience in partnership management, new business development and strategic prospecting, including cold outreach at a senior level
• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Commerce or Marketing, or equivalent industry experience
• Advanced understanding of the sports entertainment industry, including broadcast and digital media
• Experience in corporate hospitality delivery at major sporting events
• High level of presentation skills and ability to develop compelling commercial proposals
• Existing network of contacts in sport and the broader commercial sector
• Advanced negotiation, communication and relationship-building skills
• Familiarity with licensing and merchandising programs within sport will be well regarded
• Strong ethics and ability to represent Bowls Australia and its brand authentically
• Alignment with BA’s organisational values of CARE – Courage, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, exhibited by day-to-day TRIPLES behaviours of:
  • Taking responsibility
  • Raising the bar; high standards and outcomes
  • Innovation | Integrity | Inclusion
  • Purposeful collaboration
  • Listening and learning; to “know our stuff”
  • Enjoying our working
  • Speaking up, speaking straight

Major Interactions

You will engage with a range of key stakeholders including the CCO, GM Bowls Operations and Events, GM Promotions and Communications, BA's Senior Leadership Team, existing and potential commercial partners, broadcast and digital teams, Local and State Government bodies, State and Territory Associations, BPL Clubs and sport, commercial and entertainment agencies.