Commercial Lead Al Shindagha Museum

About BLR WORLD

BLR WORLD is an award-winning global talent company for the culture
entertainment and events sectors enabling organisations to plan staff and operate unique permanent and temporary visitor experiences with Simply Brilliant People.

About Al Shindagha Museum

Located in the iconic Dubai Creek area within Al Shindaghas historical
neighbourhood the Museum tells one of the worlds most inspiring stories one visitors experience literally walking house to house through its pavilions across time. This is a museum like no other: wandering from history into the present day wearing traditional jewellery breathing in perfumes even diving virtually for pearls. Dubais culture and traditions are at its heart where people discover the Emirates fascinating heritage. Together with Dubai Culture BLR WORLD is bringing this heritage to life for every generation a living heart of the community as much as a destination for the world.

Position Details

Position Title: Commercial Lead
Department: Learning & Development
Reports To: District Manager
Location: Al Shindagha Museum Dubai UAE
Contract Type: Full-Time (24-Month Fixed-Term Contract)
Contract Duration: 24 Months (August 2026 July 2028)

About the Role

BLR WORLD is hiring a Commercial Lead to drive the commercial growth visitor revenue and business development objectives of the Operations and Management Services contract at Al Shindagha Museum. Reporting to the District Manager the Commercial Lead will be responsible for developing and implementing commercial strategies that maximise visitor participation venue utilisation educational programme sales partnerships and sustainable revenue opportunities while supporting Dubai Cultures strategic vision.

The Commercial Lead will oversee the development of corporate partnerships tourism collaborations B2B relationships venue hire opportunities paid workshops educational programmes outreach initiatives and visitor participation models. Working closely with the District Manager Programs Development Manager Operations Lead and Venue & Events Coordinator the role will ensure that commercial initiatives are fully integrated into museum operations without compromising visitor experience or cultural authenticity.

The role will also be responsible for identifying new market opportunities analysing visitor trends supporting pricing strategies monitoring commercial performance and developing innovative initiatives that increase visitation strengthen stakeholder engagement and enhance the museums long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy

• Develop and implement the commercial strategy for Al Shindagha Museum in alignment with Dubai Cultures objectives and contractual deliverables.
• Identify new revenue opportunities that enhance visitor engagement while preserving the museums cultural and educational mission.
• Develop visitor participation models and commercial initiatives to increase visitation repeat attendance and community engagement.
• Support the District Manager in developing long-term commercial growth plans and annual business objectives.

Business Development

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with corporate organisations government entities tourism operators hotels schools universities travel agencies and community organisations.
• Identify sponsorship partnership and collaborative opportunities that support museum programming and visitor growth.
• Promote museum services educational programmes venue hire opportunities workshops and special events to external stakeholders.
• Build strong B2B relationships to increase group bookings and commercial opportunities.

Venue Hire & Commercial Activities

• Oversee the commercial performance of venue hire operations in collaboration with the Venue & Events Coordinator.
• Develop pricing strategies and commercial packages for corporate events private functions educational programmes workshops and cultural experiences.
• Ensure venue utilisation is maximised while maintaining operational feasibility and visitor experience standards.
• Identify opportunities to expand paid programming and premium visitor experiences.

Visitor Growth & Market Development

• Monitor visitor demographics attendance trends market behaviour and tourism opportunities to identify areas for growth.
• Develop initiatives that attract new visitor segments including schools tour operators community organisations residents and international visitors.
• Collaborate with Programming and Outreach teams to develop commercially viable programmes that increase museum engagement.
• Support seasonal campaigns festivals and special events to maximise visitor participation.

Commercial Performance Management

• Monitor commercial KPIs including visitor numbers revenue generation programme participation venue utilisation partnership growth and customer acquisition.
• Analyse commercial performance data and recommend improvements to optimise financial outcomes.
• Prepare revenue forecasts and business performance reports for senior management.
• Track return on investment for commercial initiatives and marketing campaigns.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with Dubai Culture stakeholders tourism partners educational institutions corporate clients and community organisations.
• Represent BLR WORLD during commercial meetings networking events and partnership discussions.
• Collaborate closely with internal operational teams to ensure commercial commitments are delivered successfully.

Collaboration with Operational Teams

• Work closely with the Operations Lead to ensure commercial activities are operationally feasible and effectively resourced.
• Coordinate with the Programs Development Manager to develop marketable educational programmes workshops and public activations.
• Support the Community Outreach & Events Coordinator in expanding community participation and engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Schools & Groups Coordinator to increase educational group visits and institutional partnerships.

Financial Planning

• Support annual budgeting revenue forecasting and commercial planning.
• Monitor commercial expenditure and ensure activities deliver value for money.
• Recommend pricing reviews and commercial improvements based on market analysis and visitor tren

Reporting

Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly reports to the District Manager including:

• Commercial performance summaries.

• Visitor participation analysis.

• Revenue and partnership performance.

• Venue hire utilisation.

• Sales pipeline updates.

• Group bookings and educational programme performance.

• Market trends and competitor analysis.

• Recommendations for commercial growth and continuous improvement.

Required Experience

• Minimum 7 years experience in commercial management business development sales tourism hospitality cultural institutions or visitor attractions.
• Minimum 3 years experience leading commercial or business development functions.
• Proven experience developing partnerships and managing client relationships.
• Experience delivering revenue growth strategies and commercial performance improvements.
• Strong understanding of visitor attractions tourism markets and cultural destinations.
• Experience analysing business performance data and preparing commercial reports.
• Excellent negotiation presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness combined with an understanding of visitor experience principles.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working within museums heritage sites cultural institutions or visitor attractions.
• Experience working with government or semi-government organisations.

• Familiarity with UAE tourism cultural heritage and hospitality sectors.

• Experience in venue hire events sponsorship or destination marketing.
• Existing network within the UAE tourism and cultural sectors is advantageous.

• Additional language skills are desirable.

Required Education / Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Marketing Tourism Hospitality Management Commercial Management Event Management or a related discipline.
• Professional qualifications in Sales Marketing Business Development or Commercial Management are advantageous.
• An MBA or postgraduate qualification in Business or Marketing is desirable.

Location and Commitment

• Full-time position.

• 24-month fixed-term contract.

• Working 5 days per week with flexibility to support operational requirements seasonal programming public holidays special events and emergency operational needs.
• Regular presence across all Al Shindagha Museum pavilions and facilities.

• Location: Al Shindagha Museum Dubai United Arab Emirates.

Why Join BLR WORLD

BLR WORLD delivers tailored operational management visitor experience and workforce solutions for some of the regions leading cultural Commercial Lead you will play a key role indriving the commercial growth and long-term sustainability of theMuseum. You will leadinitiatives that enhance visitor participation expand strategic partnerships increase revenueopportunities and strengthen the museums position as a premier cultural destination in closely with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders you will contribute to thedevelopment of innovative commercial programmes venue experiences and communityengagement initiatives while supporting the continued success and evolution of one of the UAEsmost significant heritage destinations.