Commercial Director (Executive Board)

Make UK; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Volunteer day leave

Health cover

Pension contributions up to 8%

Life assurance

Flexible hours

Job summary

Make UK in Midlands, London or Bristol is seeking a Commercial Director to join the Executive Board and shape the organisation's commercial growth. You will oversee Business Development, Key Account Directors and Marketing, aligning campaigns with growth priorities while working with HR and wider Make Group teams.

We seek a strategic, hands-on leader with a track record in relationship-led, B2B services and the credibility to influence senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience leading commercial, business development or client relationship teams at executive level.
• Experience in a corporate or blue-chip organisation and in-house client leadership.
• Background in B2B services, preferably legal, HR, employment or advisory sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Make UK’s commercial growth strategy across all commercial businesses.
• Direct Business Development, Key Account and Marketing functions with cross-functional alignment.
• Develop strategic accounts, pipelines, retention, cross-selling and client value.
• Represent Make UK externally through networking, bids and thought leadership.
• Introduce KPIs, reporting and forecasting to strengthen revenue visibility.

Skills

Executive leadership

Commercial leadership

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Business development

Marketing leadership

Pipeline development

Job description

Location: Ideally Midlands, London or Bristol, with a minimum of two days per week at a Make UK location and regular travel

Competitive salaries and excellent benefits including up to one day’s paid leave each year to undertake volunteering opportunities

The Manufacturers’ Organisation | Make UK

At Make UK, we represent and champion the interests of UK manufacturing, supporting businesses through a broad range of commercial services, expertise and partnerships. We’re now looking for an exceptional Commercial Director to join our Executive Board and lead the next phase of our commercial growth.

This is a high-profile leadership role with real scope to make an impact. You’ll be responsible for shaping and delivering Make UK’s commercial growth strategy, bringing together Business Development, Key Accounts and Marketing, while working closely with leaders across our HR & Legal, HR Consultancy, Environment, Health & Safety, Membership, Partnerships & Events and wider Make Group businesses.

We want to build a more commercially confident, collaborative and client-focused organisation – breaking down silos, strengthening relationships, creating more opportunities to cross-sell and ensuring our clients experience the full value of Make UK.

Responsibilities

The role

Reporting to theChief Financial Officerand sitting on the Executive Board, you’ll provide strategic commercial leadership while remaining close to the day-to-day realities of business development and client relationships.

You’ll lead ourKey Account Directors, Key Account Managers and Business Development teams, creating a consistent and disciplined approach to pipeline development, account management and growth. Alongside this, you’ll provide strategic leadership to Marketing, ensuring campaigns, events, thought leadership and digital activity are closely aligned to our commercial priorities.

You’ll work across the organisation to encourage collaboration, create stronger internal referral routes and ensure our teams are confident in identifying opportunities and having meaningful commercial conversations with clients.

• Develop and deliver Make UK’scommercial growth strategyacross our commercial businesses.
• Lead and develop the Business Development and Key Account functions, driving accountability, focus and commercial discipline.
• Develop strategic account management and pipeline growth, increasing retention, cross‑selling and client value.
• Lead the Marketing function and align its activity with wider commercial objectives.
• Work closely with Business Unit Heads to identify and develop new growth opportunities.
• Build a more commercially aware and BD-confident culture across Make UK.
• Break down organisational silos and create a genuinelyOne Teamapproach to client development.
• Build strong relationships with senior clients, prospects and strategic partners.
• Support major bids, pitches and strategic account opportunities.
• Represent Make UK externally through networking, events, speaking opportunities and thought leadership.
• Introduce meaningful commercial reporting, KPIs and measurement frameworks.
• Work closely with Finance to strengthen forecasting and revenue visibility.
• Coach and influence colleagues at all levels, helping develop stronger relationship‑building and client engagement skills.

Requirements

About you

We’re looking for an experienced commercial leader who combinesstrategic thinking with a hands‑on approach. You’ll have a strong track record of leading commercial, business development or client relationship teams and will be comfortable operating at Executive Board level while remaining close to clients, teams and opportunities.

You’ll ideally bring experience within thelegal, HR, employment, advisory or professional services environment, with a strong understanding of relationship‑led B2B services.

Crucially, you’ll also havein‑house experience within a corporate or blue‑chip organisationand understand how to influence key accounts, embed best practice and build commercial capability internally. You’ll have be credible, visible and approachable, with the ability to influence senior leaders and operational teams alike.

• Collaborative and relationship‑led
• Commercially curious
• Strategic but practical
• Visible and approachable
• Solutions‑focused
• Proactive and accountable
• Comfortable challenging the status quo
• Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement

Why Make UK?

This is an opportunity to join theExecutive Board of a high‑profile organisation at the heart of UK manufacturingand play a significant role in shaping how we grow and engage with our clients.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence commercial strategy across a diverse portfolio of services, work alongside experienced leaders across the organisation and make a tangible difference to our commercial performance and culture.

With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.

Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Benefits to include, but not limited to: no bank holiday/weekend work, flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions up to 8%, and life assurance.

We are committed to supporting the Armed forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed forces Covenant.

Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration

Bio

Make UK is a leading advocate for UK manufacturers, championing growth, innovation, and resilience in the sector. With a history spanning over 130 years, the organisation has supported businesses of all sizes, from ambitious start-ups to global industry leaders.Through campaigning, sector expertise, and a comprehensive range of business services, Make UK helps manufacturers navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Its extensive network fosters collaboration across regional and national communities, enabling businesses to share knowledge and drive industry progress.Make UK provides deep expertise in critical areas such as skills development, policy advocacy, and compliance. Its renowned apprenticeship training programs equip the next generation with the skills needed to support the sector’s future.Committed to shaping the landscape of UK manufacturing, Make UK continues to influence policy, support innovation, and empower businesses to thrive in an evolving industrial environment.