Assistant Equine Director - Commercial

Hartpury University And Hartpury College; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave entitlement

Wellbeing support including EAP

LGPS pension scheme

Employee discounts scheme

Onsite fitness facilities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Job summary

Hartpury University and Hartpury College seeks an Assistant Equine Director – Commercial to shape long-term commercial strategy while delivering hands-on projects with students and industry partners. You will lead major events, facility hire and new equine ventures, balancing growth with governance.

You will work closely with the Equine Director and academic colleagues to maximise income, manage budgets, and engage students in employability and industry readiness.

Qualifications

• Strategic and operational leadership experience.
• Collaborative approach to delivering outcomes.
• Confident and proactive with a drive to create opportunities.
• Experience delivering major events and educational experiences.
• Focus on maximising commercial income.

Responsibilities

• Contribute at a strategic level to the development of Hartpury’s equine commercial vision, priorities and growth plans.
• Work in a hands on, delivery focused way to implement projects, partnerships and initiatives.
• Lead and grow commercial equine activity, working directly with academic and professional colleagues.
• Build and maintain relationships with commercial and industry partners, translating opportunity into practical outcomes.
• Engage closely with students, ensuring commercial activity enhances learning, employability and industry readiness.
• Oversee commercial performance, budgets and income generation, balancing innovation with governance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Collaborative

Event management

Business development

Budget & governance

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

This role offers a rare opportunity to operate at both strategic and operational levels. The Assistant Equine Director – Commercial will help shape long-term direction and commercial strategy, while also working directly at an operational level to turn ideas into action, collaborating closely with colleagues, industry and commercial partners, and, critically, with our students.

Reporting to the Equine Director, the Assistant Equine Director – Commercial will play a leading role in delivering Hartpury’s commercial equine activity. This ranges from our flagship major international events, through to local shows, alongside commercial enterprises such as facility hire, new and novel equestrian activities.

You will:

• Contribute at a strategic level to the development of Hartpury’s equine commercial vision, priorities and growth plans
• Work in a hands on, delivery focused way to implement projects, partnerships and initiatives
• Lead and grow commercial equine activity, working directly with academic and professional colleagues
• Build and maintain relationships with commercial and industry partners, translating opportunity into practical outcomes
• Engage closely with students, ensuring commercial activity enhances learning, employability and industry readiness
• Oversee commercial performance, budgets and income generation, balancing innovation with governance

About You:

• Comfortable operating at both a strategic and operational level
• Committed with a collaborative approach to delivering outcomes
• Confident and passionate, with a strong drive to create opportunities
• Motivated by the challenge of delivering exceptional events and educational experiences
• Focused on maximising commercial income
• Experienced in working with departmental teams and governing bodies

We offer a fantastic package of including:

• 35 days annual leave entitlement
• Wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous pension scheme (LGPS)
• Employee Discounts Scheme
• Onsite fitness facilities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Support for continuous professional development
• Flexible working opportunities available
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Free entry to seasonal events on campus
• Access to a shuttle bus, pay per use (Gloucester routes)

About Us

Hartpury University and Hartpury College are among the UK’s leading specialist education providers in agriculture, animal, equine, sport and veterinary nursing. Located in Gloucestershire, Hartpury University and Hartpury College sit side-by-side on a beautiful 360-hectare campus. We provide world-class facilities to more than 4,500 university and college-level students studying undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, A-levels and diplomas, as well as undertaking industry research. The University is rated top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025) and has 97% graduate employability, whilst the College is rated Ofsted Outstanding in all areas.A passionate and innovative business culture and exceptional support networks make Hartpury an ideal career choice.

Hartpury is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves. We particularly welcome applicants that we are underrepresented in, including those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQI+ communities, and those living with disabilities. As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion we offer a range of inclusive policies, flexible working arrangements and a multi-faith space to support staff from different backgrounds. To find out more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, please click .

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.