At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and operations to boost income and support youth-driven initiatives.
- Company: Join Contact, a national leader in youth theatre and social change.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creativity and social equity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of arts and community while empowering young creatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management and a passion for youth leadership.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 € per year.
MAIN LOCATION: Contact but may be required to work at other venues as required (Hybrid)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Finance
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Commercial Services Manager
WORKS WITH: All Teams
HOURS: Full Time
STATUS: Permanent
Contact is a national leader in youth‐driven theatre, creativity, and social change. The Head of Commercial will drive the organisation's earned‐income strategy, developing sustainable commercial activity that strengthens Contact's financial resilience while aligning with its artistic and social mission. This senior role leads the development and delivery of commercial operations including venue hire, bar and café services, commercial partnerships, and new revenue‐generating initiatives. It requires a balance of strategic thinking, hands‐on delivery, and a deep commitment to Contact's values of youth leadership, equity, and community impact.
Key responsibilities
- Commercial strategy and leadership
- Develop and deliver a multi‐year commercial strategy that grows earned income across all business areas.
- Identify new commercial opportunities that complement Contact's artistic and social purpose.
- Lead financial modelling, pricing strategies, and business cases for new ventures.
- Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to embed commercial thinking across the organisation.
- Venue hire, events, and hospitality
- Oversee the growth of venue hire, conferencing, and events, ensuring high‐quality customer experience.
- Lead the development of Contact's bar, café, and hospitality offer, maximising profitability while maintaining accessibility.
- Manage relationships with suppliers, contractors, and partners to ensure efficient and cost‐effective operations.
- Partnerships and commercial collaborations
- Develop and manage commercial partnerships with businesses, agencies, and creative industries.
- Negotiate contracts, sponsorships, and in‐kind support that enhance Contact's commercial portfolio.
- Work with the Marketing and Development teams to align commercial partnerships with brand and fundraising activity.
- Enterprise and creative industry development
- Support the growth of youth‐led and community‐led enterprise initiatives, ensuring they are commercially viable and socially impactful.
- Explore opportunities for creative workshops, training programmes, and consultancy services.
- Champion Contact's role as a hub for young creatives, freelancers, and emerging cultural entrepreneurs.
- Financial and operational management
- Set and monitor commercial KPIs, reporting regularly to the Senior Leadership Team.
- Manage budgets, management accounts & forecasts, and performance dashboards for all commercial areas.
- Ensure compliance with licensing, health and safety, and operational standards.
- Team leadership
- Lead and develop staff across commercial operations, including café and bar and events.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and youth‐centred working culture.
- Provide coaching and support to young people involved in commercial activity.
GENERAL
- To act as a member of the Senior Management Team, working strategically on the development of the organisation as a whole.
- To provide mentoring and support to young people and on occasions deliver training/workshops in areas relevant to your job role.
- In line with Contact's governance model, pro‐actively engage young people in decision‐making through consultations, young people's panels and other mechanisms relevant to your job role.
- Manage all data in line with GDPR regulations.
- Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required in connection with the position.
- To advise and report regularly on activity as required by the wider Senior Management Team, Board and sub‐boards, supplying any data required to meet funder reporting requirements.
- To manage all personal data in line with the General Data Protection Regulations, using the Spektrix database as directed.
Person specification
- Significant experience in commercial management within the arts, hospitality, events, or creative industries.
- Proven track record of growing earned income and delivering profitable commercial operations.
- Strong financial literacy, including budgeting, forecasting, and business modelling.
- Excellent negotiation, partnership‐building, and stakeholder‐management skills.
- Experience leading teams and managing operational delivery.
- Commitment to Contact's values: youth leadership, equity, creativity, and community impact.
- Knowledge of Manchester's cultural, commercial, and hospitality landscape.
- Experience developing hospitality or retail offers in cultural venues.
- Understanding of social enterprise models and youth‐led business development.
- Experience working in a charity or publicly funded arts organisation.
Head of Commercial in Manchester employer: Contact
Contact is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises youth leadership and community impact. As the Head of Commercial, you will have the opportunity to drive innovative commercial strategies while collaborating with passionate teams in the vibrant cultural landscape of Manchester. With a commitment to employee growth and development, Contact fosters an environment where creativity thrives, making it a rewarding place for those seeking meaningful employment in the arts and social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the arts and hospitality sectors. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for youth-led initiatives! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share your experiences and ideas related to youth leadership and community impact. This will help you stand out as someone who truly aligns with Contact's values.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Contact’s recent projects and partnerships, and think about how your skills can contribute to their commercial strategy. Being well-informed shows that you’re genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re committed to being part of the Contact team and its mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Commercial role. Highlight your experience in commercial management and how it aligns with Contact's mission. We want to see how you can contribute to our artistic and social goals!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've grown earned income or improved operations in previous roles. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, even better!
Emphasise Team Leadership:Since this role involves leading teams, make sure to highlight your leadership style and any relevant experiences. We’re looking for someone who can foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, so share how you've done this in the past.
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, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Contact
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into Contact's current commercial strategy and think about how you can contribute to it. Be ready to discuss specific ideas for growing earned income and how your past experiences align with their artistic and social mission.
✨Showcase Your Financial Savvy
Brush up on your financial literacy skills, especially around budgeting and forecasting. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully managed budgets in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the financial aspects of the Head of Commercial position.
✨Highlight Your Team Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share stories that showcase your ability to foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, especially when working with young people or diverse teams.
✨Understand the Local Landscape
Familiarise yourself with Manchester's cultural and commercial scene. Being able to discuss local partnerships or opportunities will show your commitment to the community and your understanding of the environment in which Contact operates.
