At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial evaluations and develop pricing strategies for new commercial opportunities.
- Company: Join Activate Learning, a pioneering education group transforming lives through innovative learning.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, excellent pension scheme, and fantastic on-site facilities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of commercial finance and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong financial expertise with commercial curiosity and strategic thinking required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Reading
Salary: Competitive
Benefits: Generous annual leave entitlement, excellent pension scheme and fantastic on-site facilities, including free parking.
About the role as Head of Commercial Finance at Activate Learning:
Are you a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys turning ideas into sustainable and profitable business ventures? Activate Learning is seeking an ambitious and commercially focused Head of Commercial Finance to play a pivotal role in shaping and accelerating the growth of our commercial activities. This is a newly created leadership position, offering a unique opportunity to influence strategy, develop new income streams and support innovative projects across a large and diverse organisation. As part of a Group committed to transforming lives through learning, you will help ensure that commercial growth and financial sustainability enable us to expand our impact for learners, employers and communities.
Working to the Director of Sales and alongside the Head of Commercial Business Innovation, you will provide the financial insight, commercial challenge and strategic analysis needed to ensure opportunities are not only exciting, but financially robust and capable of delivering long-term value. This is far more than a traditional finance role. You will be at the heart of commercial decision-making, helping to assess new markets, build business cases, develop pricing strategies, support customer negotiations and evaluate investment opportunities.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the financial evaluation of new commercial opportunities, products and services.
- Develop detailed costing models covering the full lifecycle of commercial activity, from concept through to contracting and delivery.
- Create pricing strategies that maximise both customer value and commercial returns.
- Assess market opportunities, demand and commercial viability.
- Work closely with sales colleagues to develop effective sales and pricing strategies.
- Support commercial negotiations and contractual discussions with customers and partners.
- Act as the bridge between the commercial team and the wider finance function.
- Develop financial forecasts, investment appraisals and business cases.
- Monitor profitability, margins and commercial performance across the portfolio.
- Present recommendations and commercial insights to senior leaders and stakeholders.
This is a permanent full-time opportunity and can be based at any Activate Learning campus, operating on a hybrid working model with a minimum of three days per week in the office.
What do you need to be successful as the Head of Commercial Finance at Activate Learning?
We are looking for an individual who combines strong financial expertise with commercial curiosity and strategic thinking. You will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can evolve quickly, using financial insight to support decision-making, evaluate opportunities and drive sustainable growth.
Significant experience in commercial finance, financial planning, business partnering or commercial analysis, with a strong track record of supporting business growth and strategic decision-making.
Advanced financial modelling, forecasting and investment appraisal skills, with the ability to evaluate opportunities, assess commercial risk and develop robust business cases.
Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly and credibly to senior stakeholders and translate analysis into practical business recommendations.
Strong commercial awareness and stakeholder management skills, combined with a collaborative approach and the ability to build effective relationships across diverse teams and functions.
Who we are:
Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global reach, committed to transforming lives through our approach to learning. We see our employees as individuals, empowering them to make the right choices for their ambitions and careers. We value our people as vital to our continued success and aspire to a diverse, open and inclusive environment that provides the motivation for everyone to pursue their career goals and flourish.
When you work for Activate Learning, you’re working for an organisation that provides you with the advantages of a large employer, a trusted partner in your career development, and a transformational way of working whilst also investing in building a community environment for everyone. Together, we will bring out the best version of yourself.
Why work with the Activate Learning Group?
Activate Learning Group Employee Benefits: Monthly Staff Appreciation Awards: Celebrating staff for their dedication and accomplishments aligned to our award-winning Learning Philosophy.
Head of Commercial Finance employer: Activate-Learning-1
Activate Learning is an exceptional employer located in Blackbird Leys, dedicated to transforming lives through education. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, professional development, and a supportive community environment, we offer generous benefits including competitive salaries, extensive annual leave, and tailored learning opportunities. Join us as a Study Mentor and be part of a team that values innovation, inclusivity, and the positive impact you can make on young people's futures.
