Associate Director of Commercial Services

De Montfort University; Leicester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Leicester seeks an Associate Director of Commercial Services to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the commercial portfolio. Responsibilities include developing a university-wide commercial strategy, maximizing income generation, and ensuring high-quality service delivery. Ideal candidates will possess strong commercial acumen and team development experience. This role is full-time and focused on enhancing student and academic experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in developing resilient, high‑functioning teams.
• Strong commercial acumen combined with a service‑oriented ethos.
• Experience in the higher education sector, preferably in estates or commercial services.
• Excellent strategic planning and operational oversight skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the university’s estates commercial portfolio.
• Develop and deliver a university-wide commercial strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
• Maximise income generation and ensure efficient delivery of services.
• Maintain a strong focus on student and academic experience.
• Act as the university’s lead advisor on all estate’s commercial matters.
• Lead a resilient and high-functioning team.

Skills

Team development

Commercial acumen

Strategic planning

Operational oversight

Job description

Associate Director of Commercial Services

The Associate Director of Commercial Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the university’s estates commercial portfolio, driving commercial value and targeted growth in revenue and surplus for the University in support of its strategic ambitions. The role includes developing and delivering a university-wide commercial strategy aligned with institutional priorities and the Estates Masterplan, maximising income generation, ensuring efficient delivery of high-quality services, and maintaining a strong focus on student and academic experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the university’s estates commercial portfolio.
• Develop and deliver a university-wide commercial strategy aligned with institutional priorities and the Estates Masterplan.
• Maximise income generation and ensure efficient delivery of high-quality services.
• Maintain a strong focus on student and academic experience.
• Act as the university’s lead advisor on all estate’s commercial matters, overseeing accommodation, catering, retail, conferencing, sport and leisure facilities, and car parking while driving innovation, financial resilience and sustainability.
• Lead a resilient and high‑functioning team that adopts a long‑term strategic approach while ensuring best‑in‑class operations.

Qualifications & Experience

1. Proven track record in developing resilient, high‑functioning teams.
2. Strong commercial acumen combined with a service‑oriented ethos.
3. Experience in the higher education sector, preferably in estates or commercial services.
4. Excellent strategic planning and operational oversight skills.

Additional Information

For a confidential discussion please contact our advisor James Gregory of The Management Recruitment Group at [e-mail].

Closing date for online applications is Sunday 7th December 2025.

Location: Leicester, England (university campus).

Seniority Level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

• Full‑time

Job Function

• Management
• Higher Education