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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the university's commercial services and drive revenue growth.
- Company: Dynamic university focused on innovation and student experience.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the university's commercial strategy and student life.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial services and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a resilient team and contribute to sustainable growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Associate Director of Commercial Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the university's estates commercial portfolio, driving commercial value and targeted growth in revenue and surplus for the University in support of its strategic ambitions. The role includes developing and delivering a university-wide commercial strategy aligned with institutional priorities and the Estates Masterplan, maximising income generation, ensuring efficient delivery of high-quality services, and maintaining a strong focus on student and academic experience.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the university's estates commercial portfolio.
- Develop and deliver a university-wide commercial strategy aligned with institutional priorities and the Estates Masterplan.
- Maximise income generation and ensure efficient delivery of high-quality services.
- Maintain a strong focus on student and academic experience.
- Act as the university's lead advisor on all estate's commercial matters, overseeing accommodation, catering, retail, conferencing, sport and leisure facilities, and car parking while driving innovation, financial resilience and sustainability.
- Lead a resilient and high-functioning team that adopts a long-term strategic approach while ensuring best-in-class operations.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven track record in developing resilient, high-functioning teams.
- Strong commercial acumen combined with a service-oriented ethos.
- Experience in the higher education sector, preferably in estates or commercial services.
- Excellent strategic planning and operational oversight skills.
Additional Information
For a confidential discussion please contact our advisor James Gregory of The Management Recruitment Group at james.gregory@mrgglobal.com. Closing date for online applications is Sunday 7th December 2025. Location: Leicester, England (university campus).
Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Function: Management, Higher Education
Associate Director of Commercial Services employer: De Montfort University
Contact Detail:
De Montfort University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director of Commercial Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the higher education sector, especially those involved in commercial services. Attend industry events or webinars to make connections and learn about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your achievements in developing resilient teams and driving commercial value. This will help you stand out during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to appear. Reach out directly to universities or organisations you’re interested in and express your enthusiasm for contributing to their commercial strategy.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a range of roles that might be perfect for you. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your strategic planning and operational oversight skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director of Commercial Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in commercial services and strategic leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our university's goals and the Estates Masterplan.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've maximised income generation or improved service delivery in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging: While we appreciate a friendly tone, ensure your application maintains professionalism. Use clear language and structure to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people and you can easily track your application status. Plus, it’s super straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at De Montfort University
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the university's current commercial strategy and the Estates Masterplan. Understand how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've driven revenue growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience in leading high-functioning teams. Think of concrete examples where you’ve fostered collaboration and innovation, especially in a higher education context. Highlight how you can inspire a team to achieve strategic objectives.
✨Focus on Student Experience
Since maintaining a strong focus on student and academic experience is crucial, come equipped with ideas on how to enhance these areas through commercial services. Be ready to discuss how you’ve previously balanced commercial success with student satisfaction.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions that show your interest in the role and the university’s future. Inquire about their vision for the estates portfolio and how they measure success in commercial services. This demonstrates your strategic thinking and genuine interest.
