Head of Business Planning and Visitor Experience

The University of Manchester; England; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Head of Business Performance to enhance financial sustainability and lead improvements in visitor experience, facilities management, and commercial activities. The successful candidate will collaborate with senior leadership to support long-term strategy and contribute to significant projects. Essential qualities include strong financial analysis skills and the ability to foster a productive work environment. Hybrid working arrangements may be available. Competitive benefits include a market-leading pension scheme and employee wellbeing services.

Benefits

Market-leading Pension scheme

Employee health and wellbeing services

Exceptional annual leave entitlement

Paid closure over Christmas

Local and national retailer discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial sustainability and business analysis.
• Strong ability to foster collaboration and improve working environments.
• Experience leading commercial activities and facilities management.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvements to visitor experience and commercial activities.
• Contribute to major projects including capital development.
• Support strategic vision and long-term planning for the Centre.

Skills

Financial analysis

Commercial viability assessment

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

We are seeking a commercially astute Head of Business Performance to strengthen the Centre’s financial sustainability, ensuring effective business analysis, commercial viability assessment, and income growth across our operations.

The postholder will lead continuous improvements to the visitor experience, facilities management and commercial activities (cafes, retail offer and venue hire), and contribute to major projects, including capital development. As well as foster a productive, high‑performing working environment that supports collaboration and ongoing improvement.

The Head of Business Performance will have a successful working relationship with the Director and senior colleagues in the Executive Leadership team, working to support the strategic vision and long‑term planning for the Centre. They will also ensure that JBCE participates in the life of the University of the Manchester, contributing to its strategy ‘Manchester 2035’.

What you will get in return

• Fantastic market‑leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Tim Obrien
Email: [e-mail]

General enquiries:

Email: [e-mail]

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.