Commercial Manager

Commercial Manager

Full-Time 43000 - 62000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Affinity Trust

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive commercial growth and improve contract performance in a values-led charity.
  • Company: Affinity Trust, a social care charity focused on sustainable growth.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, 31 days leave, health cash plan, and pension.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while supporting people with learning disabilities and autism.
  • Qualifications: Strong commercial acumen and experience in social care or health sectors.
  • Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we welcome all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 43000 - 62000 £ per year.

Location: Hybrid working with a minimum 2 days per week in the Thame office

Salary: GBP50,000.00 - GBP53,000.00

Hours: 37.5 per week

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Commercial Director

Making growth work sustainably and responsibly, Affinity Trust is a values-led social care charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and other assessed needs to live their lives, their way. We are growing - and with that growth comes a clear responsibility: to ensure our contracts, services and partnerships are commercially viable, operationally strong, and true to our social purpose.

We are looking for a Commercial Manager who brings commercial rigour as well as curiosity - someone who can improve performance across existing contracts as confidently as they develop new opportunities. This is a pivotal role, working closely with the Commercial Director, Finance, Operations and senior leaders across the organisation.

About the role: As Commercial Manager, you will play a key role in strengthening the financial sustainability and commercial performance of Affinity Trust. You will focus on:

  • ensuring existing contracts and services are commercially viable,
  • identifying and delivering efficiency and value-for-money improvements, and
  • developing strong, evidence-based business cases for growth, diversification and partnerships.

You will work across the organisation to turn insight into action - balancing ambition with realism, and growth with long-term sustainability.

What You Will Do:

  • Strengthen commercial performance by reviewing contract viability, improving profitability, and leading value-for-money and efficiency initiatives.
  • Develop robust business cases for growth, diversification, and partnerships, working closely with Operations and Finance to assess affordability, risk and return.
  • Support sustainable growth by identifying new commercial opportunities and carrying out early-stage due diligence on partnerships or acquisitions.
  • Use insight and data to track performance through clear KPIs and dashboards, informing senior decision-making.
  • Work collaboratively across the organisation to ensure commercial decisions are operationally deliverable, person-centred and values-led.

What We Are Looking For:

  • Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience improving contract performance or commercial efficiency.
  • Proven experience developing and evaluating business cases and financial models.
  • Understanding of commissioning, contracting and funding in social care, health or housing.
  • Confidence working across teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
  • A practical, analytical mindset - able to spot risk, challenge assumptions and find solutions.

How You Will Make an Impact:

You will help shape sustainable, person-centred growth by aligning colleagues, ensuring commercial efficiency, and turning strategic ideas into real results.

What We Offer:

  • Hybrid working (min. 2 days/week in Thame)
  • 31 days annual leave (including bank holidays), rising with service
  • Health cash plan, Pension, Life assurance, Employee Assistance Programme
  • Blue Light Card, option to buy extra annual leave

Diversity and Inclusion:

Diversity is key to what we do. We want colleagues who bring different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences, and we know this makes us stronger and better for the people we support. We are committed to being Disability Confident and we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. We are also committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, you can tell us in your application or contact our recruitment team to discuss what you need.

Ready to join us? If you are ready to drive new commercial opportunities that make a real impact, connecting with colleagues to build strong relationships, making a real difference in a values-led charity, this could be your next role. If you are offered the role, you will be required to have a DBS check at the relevant level, which we will cover the cost for.

Commercial Manager employer: Affinity Trust

Affinity Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises values-led social care, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture where diversity is celebrated. With hybrid working options, generous annual leave, and a commitment to employee growth through training and development, this role as Commercial Manager provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life environment in Thame.
Affinity Trust

Contact Detail:

Affinity Trust Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its values, especially since we’re all about making a difference at Affinity Trust. Think about how your skills align with their mission and be ready to share examples of your past successes.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on roles that truly excite you! Use our website to find positions that match your skills and passions. Tailor your approach to show why you’re the perfect fit for the Commercial Manager role.

✨Tip Number 4

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be an awesome addition to the team.

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager

Commercial Acumen
Financial Acumen
Contract Management
Business Case Development
Financial Modelling
Commissioning Knowledge
Stakeholder Influence
Analytical Mindset
Risk Assessment
Performance Tracking
Value-for-Money Improvement
Efficiency Initiatives
Collaboration Skills
Insight Utilisation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience in improving contract performance and developing business cases, as these are key aspects of what we’re looking for.

Show Your Numbers: When discussing your past roles, don’t shy away from sharing specific metrics or achievements. We love seeing how you’ve used data to drive commercial success, so let those numbers shine!

Be Person-Centred: Remember, we’re a values-led charity! In your application, reflect on how your approach aligns with our mission to support people with learning disabilities and other needs. Show us your passion for making a difference.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Affinity Trust

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong commercial and financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've improved contract performance or efficiency in previous roles. Bring specific examples that showcase your analytical mindset.

✨Understand the Social Care Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the commissioning, contracting, and funding processes in social care. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the sector. Be prepared to discuss how these elements impact commercial decisions.

✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

This role requires working closely with various teams. Think of examples where you've successfully influenced senior stakeholders or collaborated across departments. Highlight your ability to balance ambition with realism and how you've turned strategic ideas into actionable results.

✨Prepare Insightful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation's current contracts, growth strategies, and how they measure success. This shows your curiosity and commitment to aligning with their values-led approach, making you stand out as a candidate.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>