Head of Commercial

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Holiday allowance

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, seeks a Head of Commercial to lead its income generation and commercial strategy. The postholder will report to the COO, guiding decisions to grow and sustain critical income streams across venue hires, events, exhibitions and memberships.

We value senior experience in commercial roles within cultural or not-for-profit settings, with a focus on balancing income growth with audience experience and ethical considerations.

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in a commercial or income-generation role within a cultural or not-for-profit environment.
• Evidence of strong commercial acumen and ability to balance income with audience experience.
• Track record translating strategy into delivery and building relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee commercial income strategy across venue hires, events, exhibitions, partner events and membership activity.
• Lead on developing opportunities and growing new commercial activity for the Museum.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure KPI performance and ethical income growth.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategic delivery

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Job description

The Fitzwilliam Museum: Opening up the past to transform our futures.

We invite applications for our new Head of Commercial role to lead on commercial strategy and income. Working closely with, and reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the post-holder will have lead responsibility for making decisions about growing, sustaining and delivering this critical income stream as part of the Museum's business model.

This is an exciting time to join the Fitzwilliam Museum, shortlisted this year for Art Fund Museum of the Year. Commercial income growth is a key priority in our business plan and the new postholder will be responsible for creating the conditions for success, establishing an entrepreneurial culture in the Museum and developing colleagues' skills and confidence. The role covers existing commercial activity including exhibition ticketing, venue hires, retail and catering contracts and their effective performance against KPI targets, as well as identifying and growing new commercial business opportunities in previously unidentified areas.

The successful candidate will oversee commercial income strategy across venue hires and events, exhibitions, public programmes, partner events and membership activity, working with colleagues and teams across the organisation.

We are looking for someone to join our team who has senior-level experience in a commercial, trading, or income‑generation role, within a cultural, heritage, visitor attraction, or not for profit environment.

In particular, we are looking for:

• evidence of strong commercial acumen;
• the ability to balance income generation with audience experience and ethical considerations;
• a track record of translating strategy into delivery;
• and the ability to build strong relationships across a range of stakeholders.

In return, we offer a supportive and inclusive workplace, a generous pension scheme, substantial holiday allowance, and a range of employee benefits, including retail discounts.

You will be based at the Fitzwilliam Museum, which is the principal museum of the University of Cambridge and the largest cultural venue in the region, The Fitzwilliam Museum acts as a crucial bridge between the University, the City and the rest of the world, and has an international reputation for extraordinary research, world class exhibitions, award‑winning public programmes and significant collections spanning many cultures and centuries. The Hamilton Kerr Institute (HKI) is one of the world's leading centres for teaching and research in conservation and heritage science.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As colleagues from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds are currently under‑represented within our workforce, we particularly welcome applications from candidates from these communities. We believe that a diversity of perspectives and experiences makes us a stronger and more effective organisation.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Interviews for the role will be held: First stage 2nd December 2026 and Second stage 10th December 2026.

Please quote reference DA51348 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.