Commercial Director – Student Accommodation

Gedu Services Private Limited; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

ESAW Premium Student Living in Dubai UAE seeks a Commercial Director to lead daily commercial management across two student residences, aiming to boost occupancy and revenue while ensuring a high-quality resident experience.

The role reports to Owner Director, coordinating admissions, sales, marketing, operations and resident services, turning priorities into plans and providing concise reporting.

Qualifications

• Has senior commercial or general management experience in student accommodation, residential property, hospitality, or related service business.
• Strong record of improving occupancy, revenue, sales conversion and customer retention.
• Led teams across multiple functions and can set clear expectations while supporting accountability.
• Confident using performance data, budgets, forecasts and sales pipelines to guide decisions.
• Communicates clearly and can present concise reports and practical recommendations to senior leadership.
• Organised, hands-on and able to balance commercial goals with service quality.
• Can build productive relationships with universities, agents, students, parents and internal teams.
• Has experience working in the UAE or strong understanding of the Dubai market.
• Proficient with CRM systems, spreadsheets and standard business reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead ESAW's day-to-day commercial activities across both residences.
• Develop and deliver plans to increase occupancy, revenue, enquiries and bookings.
• Oversee the sales and admissions pipeline from enquiry through to booking and arrival.
• Build and maintain relationships with universities, education partners, recruitment agents, and referral sources.
• Review pricing, promotions and room performance and adjust based on demand.
• Coordinate marketing activity and ensure campaigns and communications align with the ESAW brand.
• Set targets, responsibilities and reporting routines for the team and monitor performance.
• Prepare concise reports for the Owner Director covering occupancy, revenue, enquiries, conversions, arrears, feedback, risks.
• Work with operations and facilities teams to address service issues affecting satisfaction and revenue.
• Ensure licensing, safety and compliance requirements are followed.

Skills

Senior commercial experience

Team leadership

CRM proficiency

Data-driven decisions

Relationship building

UAE market knowledge

Tools

CRM software

Spreadsheet tools

Reporting tools

Job description

Commercial Director Student Accommodation

Location Dubai UAE

Company ESAW Premium Student Living

Reports to Owner Director

About ESAW

ESAW Premium Student Living provides student accommodation in Dubai with approximately 650 beds across two residences We are looking for an experienced Commercial Director to lead the day-to-day running of the business improve commercial performance and ensure our teams deliver a consistent high-quality resident experience

The role

The Commercial Director will take ownership of ESAW s daily commercial management and coordinate the work of the team across admissions sales marketing operations and resident services They will turn agreed business priorities into clear plans make sure those plans are implemented and keep the Owner Director informed through concise reliable reporting The Owner Director will retain oversight of the business and make key strategic and financial decisions in regular one-to-one meetings with the Commercial Director

Key responsibilities

Lead ESAW s day-to-day commercial activities across both residences Develop and deliver plans to increase occupancy revenue enquiries and bookings Oversee the sales and admissions pipeline from enquiry and follow-up through to booking and arrival Build and maintain relationships with universities education partners student recruitment agents and other referral sources Review pricing promotions and room performance and recommend adjustments based on demand and market conditions Coordinate marketing activity and ensure campaigns collateral and communications are accurate timely and consistent with the ESAW brand Set clear targets responsibilities and reporting routines for the team Review team updates and performance data identify issues early and ensure agreed actions are completed Prepare a concise regular performance report for the Owner Director covering occupancy revenue enquiries conversions arrears resident feedback team performance and key risks Chair regular team meetings and hold one-to-one meetings with relevant team members Work closely with operations and facilities teams to address service issues that affect resident satisfaction renewals reputation or revenue Monitor resident feedback complaints and retention and lead improvements to the resident journey Track budgets and commercial performance highlighting variances and proposing corrective actions Maintain awareness of relevant market activity and competitor offers in Dubai s student accommodation sector Ensure the team follows company procedures and coordinates appropriately on licensing safety and other compliance requirements Bring significant decisions risks and investment proposals to the Owner Director with clear analysis and recommendations

Reporting and decision-making

The Commercial Director will be accountable for the team s day-to-day execution and for providing the Owner Director with a clear overview of progress They should be comfortable making routine decisions within agreed plans while escalating matters that require strategic direction significant expenditure or owner approval

The ideal candidate

• Has senior commercial or general management experience in student accommodation residential property hospitality or a related service business
• Has a strong record of improving occupancy revenue sales conversion and customer retention
• Has led teams across multiple functions and can set clear expectations while supporting accountability
• Is confident using performance data budgets forecasts and sales pipelines to guide decisions
• Communicates clearly and can present concise reports and practical recommendations to senior leadership
• Is organised hands-on and comfortable balancing commercial goals with service quality
• Can build productive relationships with universities agents students parents and internal teams
• Has experience working in the UAE or a strong understanding of the Dubai market
• Is proficient with CRM systems spreadsheets and standard business reporting tools

What success looks like

• Clear ownership of daily commercial activity and team follow-through
• Regular accurate reporting that gives the Owner Director a reliable view of the business
• Improved occupancy enquiry conversion and revenue performance
• Stronger partner relationships and a more consistent resident experience
• Issues identified early with practical recommendations and timely escalation