The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is the leading voice for rural land and business across England and Wales. We exist to champion our members, working at the heart of policy, advocacy and industry to shape a thriving, resilient rural economy. We are a powerful ally and expert adviser, supporting thousands of members who own and manage over half of the rural land in England and Wales.

With a newly agreed Corporate Plan for 2025–2030, the CLA has set out ambitious priorities to maximise its impact, grow and engage its membership, and strengthen long-term organisational resilience. 

We are now seeking an outstanding Director of Marketing and Commercial to join our Executive Team at a pivotal moment for the organisation. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this role will have responsibility for marketing, commercial partnerships, sponsorship, and all other non-subscription income streams, with a clear mandate to reshape and grow the CLA’s commercial and marketing capability.

This is a senior, high-profile leadership role with significant autonomy and influence. You will lead the development and delivery of a clear commercial and marketing strategy aligned to corporate priorities, increasing the contribution of non-subscription income and ensuring we maximise the value of our member base, platforms and partnerships. This work will be central to our future success. A core part of the remit is embedding a more data-led, insight-driven approach, strengthening the use of CRM, and driving a step-change in performance across marketing and commercial activity.

Working closely with the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Regions, you will ensure member acquisition, engagement and retention strategies are fully aligned, with a coherent end-to-end member journey and a compelling, consistent story about the value of CLA membership. You will also optimise key member service partnerships, develop new scalable commercial opportunities, and strengthen how events, learning and sponsorship operate as profit centres that also deepen member engagement.

As a member of the Executive Team, you will contribute to organisational leadership, performance and decision-making, advising the CEO and Board on commercial and marketing opportunities, risks and outcomes. You will build and lead a high-impact marketing function, establish clear KPIs and governance, and lead teams through change with credibility, pace and clarity.

This role calls for an experienced executive leader with a strong commercial and/or marketing background and a proven track record of growing diversified income streams and leading transformation. You will bring commercial judgement, collaborative leadership and the confidence to operate at board and CEO level in a complex membership organisation.

This is a rare opportunity to shape how a nationally significant organisation grows, engages its members and delivers value in a rapidly changing rural economy - combining purpose, profile and measurable commercial impact.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the CLA on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference OADAVB. Alternatively email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Tuesday 26 May.