Head of Commercial Operations

JAMES ALLENS GIRLS SCHOOL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent school in London seeks a Head of Commercial Operations to develop and implement a strategy for commercial growth. The role involves managing current activities and exploring new income opportunities. The candidate should have a strong background in commercial leadership within the not-for-profit sector. This position offers a competitive salary and a diverse benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension scheme with 10% employer contributions

Enhanced sickness, maternity and paternity pay

Free onsite parking

Free gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Free lunches, teas, and coffee year-round

Free access to the Dulwich Picture Gallery

School fee discount

Cycle to work scheme

Interest-free computer loans

Interest-free transport season ticket loans

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a commercial leadership role, ideally in a not-for-profit sector.
• Ability to work towards ambitious targets and develop effective teams.
• Experience working with key stakeholders in education or similar sectors.

Responsibilities

• Review current commercial activity and identify growth opportunities.
• Define long-term strategic development goals and enhance brand usage.
• Oversee management and performance of commercial operations.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Emotional intelligence

Job description

HEAD OF COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

Full Time

Year round, 35 hours per week

Required from January 2026

Full Time Equivalent Salary: £75,000 - £85,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience

This is an exciting opportunity for a Head of Commercial Operations to join our School.

Over the coming years, the Head of Commercial Operations will develop and implement a strategy for commercial enterprise across James Allen’s Girls’ School and its subsidiary JAGS Community Enterprises Limited. The post holder will work with relevant stakeholders to review current activity and to identify new opportunities for growth in line with “dual use – school first”.

The longer-term goal is to secure a broad and diversified business model and a rich portfolio of commercial activity designed to generate alternative sources of income to support the school’s charitable objectives.

The Head of Commercial Operations will work in close partnership with members of the School Leadership Team and will report to the Director of Finance.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of success in a commercial leadership role in a not-for-profit sector, such as property, housing, retail, hospitality, leisure, education, or healthcare, and will bring highly developed commercial acumen, a spirit of entrepreneurship and an appetite to lead and develop a highly effective team. They will be comfortable working towards ambitious targets and will have outstanding levels of emotional intelligence, empathetic to the unique features and characteristics of JAGS.

They will be able to work collaboratively with educational and other stakeholders, will have the gravitas to sensitively influence key figures at the school and beyond, and will be a compassionate and competent leader.

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Carrying out a review on all current commercial activity in order to identify opportunities to increase the net income achievable from the current activities, to review the use of space and to identify potential new opportunities for growth
• Helping to define long term strategic commercial development goals, build key client and stakeholder relationships and identify opportunities to maximise the use of the school’s brand, facilities and resources, thereby enhancing the user experience and increasing the net income generated by commercial activity
• Maintaining and developing robust operating procedures, resources and processes that will support the agreed commercial strategies
• Overseeing the management and performance of the various commercial operations at JAGS and its subsidiary, JAGS Community Enterprises Limited

We offer:

• The opportunity to join our outstanding school where public examination results consistently place JAGS amongst the leading schools in the UK
• A community of considerate, creative and compassionate students and staff
• A highly diverse and inclusive school community, committed to our bursary provision
• An inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and support staff
• Excellent facilities, including the latest resources to support learning
• A diverse benefits package including:
• Competitive salary
• Pension scheme with 10% employer contributions
• Enhanced sickness, maternity and paternity pay
• Free onsite parking
• Free gym membership with discounted family rates
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free lunches, teas and coffee all year round
• Free access to the Dulwich Picture Gallery
• School fee discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free computer loans
• Interest-free transport season ticket loans

With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School provides a forward-thinking and contemporary education for over 1100 girls aged 4 to 18. Located in the London borough of Southwark, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusion in the workplace.

Our school aims, both in and out of the classroom, are clear:

• To celebrate our diverse and inclusive community
• To champion social awareness and sustainability
• To empower courage, creativity and compassion in each student
• To inspire aspirational and authentic lifelong learners and leaders
• To nurture respectful, resilient and kind individuals

If this matches your vision, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

How to apply: We recognise that celebrating the full diversity of staff and students has a positive impact on all and invite applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.

Please visit our website to download an application form. Please note that CVs and letters sent without a completed application form will not be accepted.

JAGS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and overseas police and regulatory authorities where relevant.