Director of Business Planning and Commercial

Advance HE; Leeds; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A higher education association is seeking a Director of Business Planning and Commercial to provide executive leadership across business planning and financial strategies. This role involves leading multi-year business plans and driving income generation exceeding £15m. An exceptional leader with significant commercial experience and strong financial planning expertise is required. The successful candidate will unite strategic vision with practical execution, inspire high-performing teams, and deliver measurable impact for members.

Qualifications

• Proven leader with significant commercial experience.
• Strong financial planning expertise.
• Ability to analyse complex information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership across business planning and financial strategies.
• Lead the development of multi-year business plans.
• Drive income generation exceeding £15m.
• Inspire and develop high-performing teams.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Financial planning

Analytical skills

Job description

The Director of Business Planning and Commercial will provide executive leadership across our business planning, commercial and financial strategies, ensuring sustainability and growth while maximising value for members. You will lead the development of multi-year business plans, oversee integrated financial and commercial strategies, and drive income generation in excess of £15m. This role demands a proven leader with significant commercial experience, strong financial planning expertise, and the ability to analyse complex information to shape effective strategies.

As a key member of the Executive Team, this is a senior leadership position, reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive, that requires the ability to unite strategic vision with practical execution. You will bring exceptional commercial acumen and an understanding of the higher education sector’s policy and strategic context to shape and deliver integrated business and financial strategies. As a visible and influential leader, you will inspire and develop high-performing teams, champion a culture of innovation and financial sustainability, and work collaboratively across the organisation to achieve measurable impact and long-term success. Your success will enable Advance HE to deliver measurable impact for members and position us as a highly credible voice and trusted partner in the sector.

Applications close on Sunday 14th December, at 11.59pm. Stage 1 interviews are scheduled for Friday 2nd January 2026 via MS Teams. Stage 2 interviews are scheduled for Thursday 15th January 2026 in London.

For full details on this role, please see the candidate pack here .