Head of commercial operations

University of Sussex Students' Union; Stanmer; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Sussex Students' Union is seeking a strategic Head of Commercial Operations to lead our trading portfolio and drive commercial growth while delivering inclusive, student-focused services. You will provide senior leadership across commercial operations and events, identifying new income streams and optimizing financial plans to ensure sustainability.

You will build strong partnerships, manage external contracts, foster a high-performance culture, and champion equality, diversity and

Qualifications

• Proven track record in strategic commercial leadership, delivering revenue growth and operational excellence.
• Experience scaling trading portfolios and managing diverse revenue streams.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and foster inclusive service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Union's trading portfolio and commercial services to drive growth and financial sustainability.
• Provide strategic direction across commercial operations, events, and customer service, ensuring high standards and student focus.
• Identify new income streams, manage financial plans, budgets and performance targets, and build external partnerships.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion across all services and contracts and support strategic planning and risk management.

Job description

Are you a strategic commercial leader who thrives in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment? Do you want to shape services that directly impact thousands of students?

Sussex Students' Union is seeking an ambitious, values-driven and strategic Head of Commercial Operations to lead and develop our diverse trading portfolio, driving innovation, performance, and inclusive service delivery across our commercial activities.

As a key senior leader, you will provide strategic direction and operational leadership across our commercial services and events. You will play a vital role in ensuring our offer remains relevant, financially sustainable, and aligned with the needs and expectations of University of Sussex students. From identifying new income streams and delivering commercial growth, to fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a student-led organisation.

You will lead high-volume commercial operations and delivering excellent student-focused customer service, drive innovation and develop new business opportunities to enhance income and student experience, and develop and manage financial plans, budgets and performance targets. You will build strong partnerships and manage external contracts, embed a positive performance culture across teams, and champion equality, diversity and inclusion across all services and operations. You will also support strategic planning, risk management, and organisational culture and development.

About Us

We are looking for skilled, friendly and highly motivated people who share our values. With our vibrant environment and organisational culture, the Students' Union is a dynamic workplace only a few places could match. Led by students, we are all about working with students to help them get the most out of their time here at the University of Sussex or Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Whilst being located on Sussex Campus — close to Brighton & Hove — we are separate from the University, something that is crucial to our campaigning and lobbying work. Although we have different departments, we think of ourselves as one big team and are often working all together on projects or helping each other out at big events such as Freshers Week or Elections.

Working on Sussex Campus and for the Students' Union has lots of perks: our staff receive one day off each fortnight as part of our nine-day-fortnight working trial, and access to enhanced time off, which normally amounts to an extra 6 days leave in addition to 20 days of annual leave per year, plus bank holidays. We also allocate funding for staff socials, learning and development opportunities for all our roles, and create a supportive workplace through regular 1-to-1's, an employee assistance programme and professional health services.

If this sounds like the workplace you'd like to join, we would love to receive your application and get to know you!

Key Information

Job Title: Head of Commercial Operations

Rate of pay: Grade 8.1

Contract: Permanent

Hours of work: Full-time; 36.5 hours per week

Applicants: Open to internal and external applicants*.

Please note that applications from full-time students will NOT be considered for full-time positions, as it exceeds the recommended hours of work for individuals in higher education. This applies to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• External applicants: 10 August 2026 at 23:59

Interviews

• Internal staff: 6th August 2026
• External applicants: 17th August 2026

Start Date: As soon as possible

International Applicants

We really welcome applications from abroad for all of our vacancies. Due to legal regulations we have to ensure that everyone is eligible to work in the UK, and this would be done by us checking and making a copy of the correct original identification/documentation before your first day of work. You may also be limited in the number of hours you would be allowed to work. Find out more information about applying to work in the UK.

In any case, we would encourage anyone to apply for a job in one of our friendly departments to give yourself the chance of being selected, and we would look to see the appropriate original documents before your first day of work.

Getting Paid

Everyone working in the UK needs a National Insurance number in order to get paid. If you are a UK citizen you will automatically have this, however if you are not a UK citizen you might want to apply for an NI number at the same time as you apply for a job so there is no delay in your payments. You can do so using this link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number. Please note you cannot apply for a National Insurance Number until you're in the UK, but this should not stop you from completing your application for this role.

Commitment to Inclusion

We are really committed to maintaining a diverse workforce because we know how important it is to have decision makers and collaborators with varied lived experiences and backgrounds that reflect the range of needs from our diverse student community.

We welcome applications from everyone, and we want to strongly encourage applications from: people with an ethnic minority or Chinese background, people with a disability, people with dependents, and people who identify as LGBTQ+. We conduct anonymous shortlisting and all of our interview panels have Unconscious Bias Training in order to support the above. We also consider flexible working for those with care commitments. If you have any suggestions as to how we could improve our language or application process please let us know.

As a representative body, one of our key aims is to increase applicants that identify as Black, Asian or a minority ethnic to work in the Students' Union. To support this we will ask you an optional question about your ethnic origin. Not providing this information will not adversely affect your application for the role. This information will be hidden during the application process. Staff that identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic are also welcome and supported to join our BAME Staff Network.

Staff and Applicants with Long Term Conditions

The Students' Union aims to implement reasonable adjustments for all staff and applicants with disabilities, creating a culture of cooperation, shared responsibility and proactiveness to ensure equitable access to jobs. We want to make sure everyone is supported in our selection processes, and are equipped to work safely and get as much as possible out of their role as possible.

More Information

To find out more about working for the Students' Union go to: