Commercial Area Manager

RSPB; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation charity in Eastern England is looking for a Commercial Area Manager to oversee retail and visitor experiences in nature reserves. The role requires strong leadership, budget management skills, and the ability to drive commercial performance. Ideal candidates will have experience in hospitality or retail management and a passion for conservation. This is a permanent, full-time position requiring regular travel within the designated area.

Benefits

Pension

Life Assurance

Annual Leave

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in managing multi-site retail teams.
• Proven success in area management within visitor attractions.
• Understanding of health & safety and relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

• Maximise performance across visitor experience, retail, and food & beverage.
• Deliver and monitor KPIs.
• Lead training programmes to boost visitor satisfaction.

Skills

Budget management

Leadership

Analytical skills

Customer service excellence

Multi-site operations

Education

Degree in Commercial, Hospitality, Retail, or Tourism

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Commercial Area Manager

Reference: SEP20251629
Location: Flexible in Eastern England + Lincolnshire (Lincolnshire, Central Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £39,205.00 - £41,856.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance and Annual Leave

We are seeking candidates with a strong background in retail management to complement a team of Commercial Area Managers who bring expertise in Visitor Experience and Food and Beverage.

Introduction

Our nature reserves are living windows into the wildlife and habitats we fight to protect. They showcase the incredible conservation work we do and inspire people to take action in the face of the nature and climate emergency.

But we know we must evolve. Our reserves must become more relevant, more engaging, and more impactful. That’s why we’re looking for a Commercial Area Manager who shares our vision and has the skills, energy, and optimism to help us deliver it.

About the Role

This is a pivotal time to join the RSPB’s Commercial team. You will lead the commercial performance of our retail, food & beverage, and visitor experience operations across a designated area of nature reserves. You will be an analytical thinker, a confident communicator, and a hands-on leader who can spot opportunities, drive growth, and deliver excellence.

What You will Be Doing

Operational Management

• Maximise performance across visitor experience, retail, and food & beverage
• Ensure compliance with RSPB commercial standards and policies
• Identify and implement efficient processes to boost productivity and reduce costs

Financial Management

• Deliver and monitor KPIs, identifying areas for improvement
• Analyse sales data to shape offers and increase revenue
• Manage stock and identify cost-saving opportunities

Sales & Revenue Growth

• Develop and deliver sales plans to exceed income and NET targets
• Collaborate on promotional activity to drive engagement
• Conduct market analysis to identify growth opportunities

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all sites meet health & safety and risk management standards
• Conduct audits and resolve operational issues swiftly

Visitor Experience

• Champion exceptional customer service across all reserves
• Work with teams to enhance the visitor journey
• Lead training programmes to boost visitor satisfaction

Team Leadership & Development

• Take an active role to recruit, train, and mentor teams across your area
• Support performance reviews and professional development
• Foster collaboration and a positive working culture

About You

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree/foundation level or equivalent experience in Commercial, Hospitality, Retail, or Tourism

Essential Knowledge & Skills

• Budget management and multi-site commercial operations
• Understanding of customer service excellence and its impact on income
• Knowledge of H&S, food safety, HACCP, and relevant legislation
• Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills
• Ability to influence, motivate, and collaborate across teams
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and digital tools

Desirable Extras

• Proven success in area management within visitor attractions
• Strong background in Retail operations, including stock management, merchandising, and customer service excellence
• Experience in driving commercial performance through retail initiatives and innovation
• Project Management qualification
• Level 3 Food Hygiene or HACCP
• Experience in heritage/science interpretation or charitable sector
• Familiarity with EPOS, Power BI, OMS, or LSONE
• Experience in managing multi-site retail teams and delivering training to improve sales performance
• Understanding of retail analytics and consumer behaviour within a visitor attraction context

Additional Information

• This is a Permanent, Full Time role for 37.5 hours per week.
• You will need to live within or near your designated area – Lincolnshire, Central Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
• Regular travel and occasional overnight stays required

What You Can Expect

A passionate, high-performing team of talented individuals who are united by a shared mission: to leave the world better than we found it.

Outstanding learning and development opportunities, plus a comprehensive employee benefits package to support your wellbeing and growth.

Unique experiences that bring you closer to nature, from travelling to our stunning reserves to witnessing the wildlife you’re helping protect.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are building an inclusive and diverse RSPB where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered to be their full selves. To create a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people on nature’s side.

People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented in the environmental and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we especially encourage you to apply. If you need any additional support to complete your application, please get in touch - we are here to help.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship. You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered.