At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive profitability and evolve commercial strategies for a leading global brand experience agency.
- Company: FIRST, a top global brand experience agency with over 30 years of innovation.
- Benefits: Private medical insurance, generous leave, wellness stipends, and global opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on growth and transformation.
- Why this job: Lead impactful commercial strategies and work with top brands worldwide.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in agency or B2B services with expertise in pricing and commercial governance.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
Position Overview
FIRST is a leading global brand experience agency, offering Content, Creative, Digital Technology, Management & Delivery, and Data & Insights services. Over 30 years we have used flexible delivery models: Embedded teams, Corporate Campus operations, and Full‑Service Agency. We manage over 37,000 events & projects annually across 110 countries, serving 130+ brands, including Fortune 500 companies in Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Media, and Professional Services.
Role Summary
As VP, Commercial Strategy & Growth, you’ll drive profitability by evolving pricing models, governance, and commercial strategy across new and existing clients. You will translate business growth objectives into actionable plans, collaborate with executive leadership, and lead optimisation of pricing, deal structures, forecasting, and client retention.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and optimisation of pricing models, deal economics, commercial terms, and remuneration frameworks.
- Partner with executive leadership to refine the go‑to‑market and commercial approach.
- Develop commercial plans, resource recommendations, and investment priorities aligned with growth objectives.
- Oversee commercial governance and support negotiation of client contracts, KPIs, and commercial risk.
- Partner with Finance on forecasting, revenue planning, and performance monitoring.
- Drive client retention, growth, and expansion through a coordinated commercial strategy.
- Build strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and key client decision‑makers.
- Champion AI‑enabled commercial practices, forecasting tools, and decision‑making frameworks.
- Ensure consistency in commercial practices and pricing across regions while allowing local flexibility.
- Align cross‑functional teams – Data & Analytics, Finance, Operations, Client Services, and Marketing – to support commercial outcomes.
- Build, develop, and lead a high‑performing, client‑focused commercial team.
- Develop executive reporting and dashboards on commercial performance, revenue health, and growth opportunities.
- Use market intelligence to shape growth strategy and targeting priorities.
- Monitor performance against growth targets and recommend corrective actions.
- Partner with Operations and Finance to identify supplier commercial opportunities.
Qualifications & Experience
- 10+ years of relevant experience, preferably in agency or B2B services.
- Expertise in pricing strategy, pricing model design, and commercial governance.
- Strong experience in forecasting, profitability management, and performance reporting.
- Proven ability to build and scale commercial operating models and account management frameworks.
- Experience managing and growing large enterprise accounts and executive‑level client relationships.
- Expertise in proposal management, commercial negotiations, and deal structuring.
- Solid financial acumen to analyse revenue, margin, and profitability drivers.
- Leadership experience in transformation initiatives and organizational change.
- Ability to operate effectively in complex, global, and matrixed environments.
- Advanced proficiency with CRM platforms, business intelligence/reporting tools, and AI‑enabled commercial technologies.
- Exceptional stakeholder management, strategic thinking, analytical, and decision‑making skills.
Benefits & Perks
- Private medical insurance with BUPA from day one.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Personal volunteer day.
- 20 days of sick pay per year.
- Enhanced parental leave (maternity & paternity).
- Wellness stipend.
- Complimentary access to Headspace, Rocket Lawyer & Maven.
- Life insurance.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Season Ticket Loan.
- Mobile phone allowance.
- Pension scheme enhancements.
- Discretionary bonus structure.
- Global opportunities across headquarters in London, New York, and Singapore.
Equal Opportunity Statement
FIRST is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. First will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on these characteristics. If you feel you do not meet the requirements, please get in touch to discuss adjustments or suitable roles.
VP, Commercial Strategy & Growth in London employer: FIRST
FIRST is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, offering extensive benefits such as private medical insurance, generous annual leave, and wellness stipends. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing team while collaborating with global brands and leveraging innovative commercial strategies. Located in vibrant cities like London, New York, and Singapore, FIRST provides a unique environment for professional development and meaningful impact in the brand experience industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Commercial Strategy & Growth in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like FIRST!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the VP, Commercial Strategy & Growth position at FIRST via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Commercial Strategy & Growth in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at FIRST.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to FIRST’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at FIRST
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to FIRST. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at FIRST. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to FIRST.
