Commercial Director — Rubato

RUBATO is a major new international music magazine launching in Spring 2027. Backed by substantial investment, with an exceptional creative and editorial team and ambitious distribution across the UK, US and internationally, RUBATO is being built to become one of the most important new voices in music and culture.

We are looking for an outstanding Commercial Director to join our founding team and help shape the commercial future of the business.

Published quarterly, RUBATO will bring together some of the world's finest writers, photographers, artists and creative talent with leading figures from music and the wider cultural landscape. Print will sit at the heart of an ambitious publishing platform encompassing digital, events, partnerships, books and special projects.

With significant financial backing, an experienced international leadership team and an extensive distribution strategy already in place, RUBATO represents a rare opportunity to help establish a major new independent media brand from the outset.

We are looking for someone with the experience, relationships and imagination to develop meaningful, long-term partnerships with some of the world's most interesting brands.

This is not simply an advertising sales role. We want someone who understands how great publishing brands are built, who can open doors at the highest level and who sees the commercial possibilities in creating something culturally significant.

The Commercial Director will lead RUBATO's commercial strategy, working closely with the Publisher and senior editorial and creative team to develop revenue across print, digital, brand partnerships, sponsorship, events and special projects.

• Establishing and leading RUBATO's commercial strategy in the UK and internationally.
• Developing high-value, long-term relationships with leading brands, agencies and commercial partners.
• Creating imaginative partnerships that extend beyond traditional display advertising.
• Overseeing print and digital advertising sales, revenue targets and commercial performance.
• Identifying opportunities across events, cultural programming, special editions and new publishing initiatives.
• Representing RUBATO at a senior level across the media, music, advertising and creative industries.
• Helping to shape the long-term commercial growth of the business.

The role will have dedicated support for day-to-day advertising sales, account management and commercial administration, allowing the Commercial Director to concentrate on strategy, senior relationships and business development.

We are particularly interested in hearing from established commercial leaders with exceptional contacts and a proven ability to build substantial brand partnerships.

You may currently be a Commercial Director, Publishing Director, Partnerships Director or senior commercial executive within publishing, music, media or the wider creative industries.

You will have an impressive track record, strong relationships with senior decision-makers and the confidence to develop opportunities at the highest level.

Experience in music publishing is welcome but not essential. We are equally interested in people with established relationships across audio, technology, automotive, drinks, travel, design, hospitality and other culturally engaged industries.

Above all, we want someone who recognises the opportunity to help build an influential new publishing brand, and who has the ambition and experience to make a meaningful contribution to its success.

We recognise that the ideal candidate may already have an established career, existing commitments or a portfolio of commercial interests.

For a particularly experienced individual, we are open to structuring this as a senior, part-time leadership position
, focused on commercial strategy, key relationships and major partnerships, with a dedicated sales executive supporting the day-to-day business.

Equally, we would welcome applications from exceptional candidates looking for a full-time leadership role.

The structure will be shaped around the experience and strengths of the right person.

The opportunity to join a new publishing venture with serious investment, international ambition and an extraordinary network of editorial and creative talent is unusual.

RUBATO is being created with the resources, distribution and long-term…