Executive Director

EILEEN RICHARDS RECRUITMENT LIMITED; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20% bonus opportunity

8% pension scheme

Life assurance

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Leicester Cathedral Innovation Ltd seeks an Executive Director to lead the development and growth of a pioneering commercial venture created by Leicester Cathedral. You will identify opportunities with national and international potential and turn discoveries into sustainable income streams.

This role requires an entrepreneurial, commercially minded leader who can build partnerships, manage complex programs and balance mission with governance. Flexible working between sites is offered.

Qualifications

• Entrepreneurial and commercially minded senior leader with a proven ability to convert opportunities into outcomes.
• Strong business developer who builds compelling propositions and secures high-value partnerships.
• Experience in developing new ventures, revenue streams, licensing and strategic partnerships.
• Financially confident with ability to understand a P&L and assess risk.
• Clear storyteller and communicator able to engage academics, investors and partners.
• Skilled at leading complex projects from concept to delivery.
• Comfortable in undefined paths with creativity, drive and resilience.
• Influential negotiator balancing interests with governance and reputation.
• Motivated by Cathedral/charitable environment and public benefit.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and growth of Leicester Cathedral Innovation Ltd, identifying opportunities with commercial potential.
• Develop propositions, business cases and commercial models to turn ideas into sustainable opportunities.
• Secure partnerships, sponsorships, licensing arrangements and income opportunities.
• Lead opportunities from archaeology, DNA research, IP, digital innovation, heritage and other domains.
• Build senior relationships across academia, science, business, government, media and philanthropy.
• Commercialise knowledge assets into compelling propositions and revenue streams.
• Oversee programs from concept to delivery with clear milestones and outcomes.
• Take responsibility for financial performance, targets, risk management and governance.

Skills

Entrepreneurial leadership

Business development

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

Leicester
£75,000 p.a. + bonus & benefits

• Build something completely new, leading a pioneering commercial venture created by Leicester Cathedral
• Turn extraordinary archaeological discoveries, science, research and intellectual property into exciting new opportunities with national and international potential
• Bring your entrepreneurial vision to life; developing partnerships, investment, new ventures and sustainable income streams

The Company

Leicester Cathedral Innovation Ltd has been established to develop and commercialise opportunities arising from Leicester Cathedral's unique assets, discoveries, research, partnerships and intellectual property.

At the heart of this new company is an exceptional archaeological story, including a continuous burial sequence linked to the Richard III story, alongside opportunities connected to ancient DNA, genealogy, scientific research, digital innovation, intellectual property, broadcasting, tourism and future commercial ventures.

The company will operate across heritage, science, technology, research, education, media and commercial enterprise, working with leading academics, scientists, commercial organisations, investors and strategic partners.

This is an opportunity to join at the beginning of that journey and play a defining role in shaping what the company becomes.

Role & Responsibilities Of The Executive Director

• Lead the development and growth of Leicester Cathedral Innovation Ltd, identifying and prioritising opportunities with strong commercial and strategic potential.
• Develop compelling propositions, business cases and commercial models that turn ideas and discoveries into sustainable opportunities.
• Develop and secure commercial partnerships, sponsorships, licensing arrangements, investment opportunities and other income-generating activity.
• Lead opportunities arising from archaeology, ancient DNA research, intellectual property, digital innovation, genealogy, heritage and other areas of potential commercialisation.
• Build and manage senior relationships across academia, science, technology, business, government, heritage, media, philanthropy and other relevant sectors.
• Commercialise highly specialist and intangible opportunities, including research outputs, intellectual property, scientific developments and knowledge-based assets, developing these into compelling propositions, partnerships, licensing opportunities and sustainable revenue streams.
• Lead complex programmes and projects, ensuring opportunities move from concept through to successful delivery with clear objectives, milestones and outcomes.
• Take responsibility for financial performance, commercial targets, risk management and appropriate governance.
• Act as a senior ambassador for Leicester Cathedral Innovation Ltd and Leicester Cathedral, ensuring commercial activity remains aligned with appropriate ethical, reputational and organisational considerations.

About You As The Executive Director

• An entrepreneurial and commercially minded senior leader with a proven ability to identify opportunities and turn them into tangible outcomes.
• A strong business developer and natural seller who can build compelling propositions, open doors and secure high-value relationships and partnerships.
• Experienced in developing new ventures, commercial opportunities, revenue streams, licensing, investment, strategic partnerships or similar activity.
• Financially confident, with the ability to understand a P&L, assess commercial opportunities, evaluate risk and make sound business decisions.
• A strong storyteller and communicator who can bring an opportunity to life and engage a wide range of audiences, from academics and investors to commercial partners and senior stakeholders.
• Experienced in leading complex projects or programmes and able to move comfortably between big-picture thinking and detailed delivery.
• Comfortable working in an environment where the path is not already defined, with the creativity, drive and resilience to build something new.
• A skilled influencer and negotiator who can manage competing interests and develop constructive relationships across different sectors and organisations.
• High attention to detail, with the judgement to balance entrepreneurial ambition with governance, ethical considerations and organisational reputation.
• Experience within archaeology or the Church of England is not required. You will, however, need to be genuinely motivated by working within a Cathedral and charitable environment, understanding the importance of balancing commercial opportunity with mission, public benefit, ethical considerations and reputation. Experience within science, technology, research, intellectual property, innovation, media, tourism, heritage or another knowledge-based environment would be advantageous.

Additional Benefits

• 20% bonus opportunity, based on financial performance and behaviours
• 8% non-contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible working between St Martins House and Leicester Cathedral, with potential for some home working