Director, Commercial Services

NAIT; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 130,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Canada is seeking a Director of Commercial Services. This strategic leadership role involves driving innovation and operational excellence across campus commercial operations. The successful candidate will optimize business processes and ensure financial success while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Candidates should have at least 10 years of leadership experience in relevant fields. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Health and wellness benefits

Work-life balance

Paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in commercial operations.
• Proven track record of delivering financial sustainability and operational excellence.
• Ability to develop long-term strategies aligned with market trends.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of innovative strategies.
• Provide robust financial oversight for all service units.
• Oversee and integrate commercial service operations.
• Identify and implement new revenue streams.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Financial Acumen

Operational Leadership

Business Development

Change Management

Technology Enablement

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, commerce, or a related field

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

In order to ensure your application is received by NAIT for thorough review and consideration, please apply directly through our Careers site at www.nait.ca/careers. The Director of Commercial Services is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable financial growth across all campus commercial, retail, and ancillary operations. Reporting to the Associate Vice‑President, Campus and Digital Services, this position leads the development of forward‑thinking strategies, optimizes business processes, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. With a focus on revenue generation, stakeholder engagement, and technology enablement, the Director ensures service integration, financial stewardship, and long‑term organizational success.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision: Lead the development and execution of innovative, forward‑thinking strategies that drive operational excellence, financial sustainability, and a high‑quality student experience on campus. Champion a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability to meet evolving organizational needs.
• Financial Stewardship: Provide robust financial oversight for all service units, ensuring budgets align with strategic objectives and performance targets. Analyze financial results, identify variances, and implement corrective actions to maintain profitability and optimize annual cash flow.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee and integrate commercial service operations to maximize efficiency, customer satisfaction, and revenue generation. Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and performance standards while driving improvements in service delivery.
• Revenue Growth & Business Development: Identify, evaluate, and implement new revenue streams and partnership opportunities. Negotiate and manage contracts for existing and emerging services.
• Process Optimization & Technology Enablement: Design, document, and maintain streamlined business processes that ensure consistency and integrity. Introduce and leverage new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Prepare and negotiate specifications, terms of reference, and agreements to support service delivery and growth.
• Change Management & Organizational Development: Develop and implement strategies that enable effective change management and foster organizational resilience. Support teams through transitions, ensuring engagement and alignment with strategic priorities.

Skills & Abilities

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and execute long‑term strategies that align with organizational goals and market trends.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to ensure profitability and growth.
• Operational Leadership: Expertise in managing diverse service operations, optimizing processes, and driving efficiency.
• Business Development: Skilled in identifying new revenue streams, negotiating contracts, and building partnerships.
• Change Management: Ability to lead organizational change initiatives and foster a culture of adaptability and innovation.
• Technology Enablement: Familiarity with digital tools and systems to enhance service delivery and customer experience.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional communication and negotiation skills to build strong relationships internally and externally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, commerce, or a related field; a postgraduate qualification is an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in commercial operations, business development, or strategic planning.
• Proven track record of delivering financial sustainability and operational excellence in a complex, multi‑service environment.

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services or the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).

Remuneration

• $130,330.72
• $151,449.921 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Note: NAIT is currently reviewing the job classification of this position.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity.

About NAIT

NAIT was proud to be named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 14 consecutive years. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT’s culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability.

People

People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. We offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work‑life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, we offer paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s.

NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on‑campus, off‑site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada.

NAIT is committed to fostering an environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations, please connect with us at [e-mail].