At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of digital engagement in the leisure sector through strategic project management.
- Company: Gladstone, a leading leisure management software provider in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Join a global software group with strong growth opportunities and hybrid work flexibility.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture that values your voice and innovation.
- Why this job: Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital engagement across the UK leisure sector.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in senior leadership roles with a focus on go-to-market strategies and customer experience.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 € per year.
ABOUT GLADSTONE
Gladstone is the leading supplier of leisure management software across the UK and Ireland. We empower customers in the health, fitness, and leisure sectors to grow participation, strengthen engagement, and improve operational performance through our cloud-based platforms. As part of Jonas Software and Constellation Software Inc., we combine global stability with local agility. Our transformation programme — Project NOVA — is redefining how we bring innovation to market, deepen customer partnerships, and deliver elevated sector experiences.
THE ROLE
The Director – Project NOVA is a strategic, senior leadership role responsible for the cross-departmental management, alignment, and delivery of the NOVA transformation programme. This individual will act as the single point of orchestration across Marketing, Product, R&D, Commercial, Customer Success, and Professional Services — ensuring unified execution of our go-to-market, product delivery, and customer success strategies. You will lead the commercialisation and adoption of Nova, define its customer value narrative, and embed a best-in-class experience that drives satisfaction, growth, and long-term impact.
KEY MISSIONS
- Cross-Functional Programme Leadership — Serve as the connective tissue across departments, aligning goals, priorities, and timelines under one strategic execution plan.
- Lead Nova’s Go-to-Market Strategy — Define positioning, value propositions, and commercial strategy to drive adoption and revenue.
- Champion Customer Experience Excellence — Drive a unified experience across all touchpoints.
- Drive Business Development — Establish strategic partnerships that enhance Nova’s relevance and uptake across the leisure industry.
- Translate Insight into Action — Use customer and market intelligence to drive agile decision-making and innovation in the platform and services.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Cross-Departmental Leadership & Programme Management
Coordinate delivery across all business functions, ensuring milestones, KPIs, and deliverables are tightly integrated. Build and lead a Nova cross-functional leadership forum to maintain shared accountability and transparency. Act as the escalation point for interdepartmental dependencies, conflicts, and risks. Embed governance structures that ensure timely, aligned execution and decision-making. - Go-to-Market Strategy & Execution
Lead the creation and execution of Nova’s go-to-market plan across product lines and customer segments. Align Marketing, Sales, and Product to deliver a consistent narrative and commercial offer. Define and track ROI metrics, adoption KPIs, and commercial outcomes. - Customer Experience & Engagement
Architect the full customer journey, from onboarding through renewal and advocacy. Partner with Customer Success and Professional Services to deliver predictable, value-led experiences. Introduce continuous feedback loops and co-creation initiatives with customers. - Sector Development & Partnership Building
Cultivate partnerships with key sector bodies (e.g., ukactive) and strategic alliances that expand Nova’s influence. Represent Gladstone and Nova at public forums, panels, and sector events. Support the CEO in positioning Nova as a leader in the digital transformation of leisure and health. - Insight-Driven Growth
Use customer data, behavioural insights, and sector trends to drive agile adjustments in product and commercial strategies. Partner with Product and Sales on pricing, packaging, and revenue model optimisation. Provide detailed performance reporting and insights to the CEO and executive team.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Thinking — Ability to zoom out and translate vision into executable strategy across multiple departments.
- Collaboration & Influence — Track record of galvanising cross-functional teams toward shared objectives.
- Customer-Centricity — Builds decisions and experiences around real customer needs and insights.
- Execution Excellence — Delivers complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives on time and with measurable impact.
- Commercial Acumen — Understands SaaS metrics, customer lifetime value, and market dynamics.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Proven leadership in go-to-market, customer experience, or transformation programme.
- Strong track record of cross-functional delivery and organisational change leadership.
- Proficiency in leveraging customer insight and market research to inform strategy.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management at executive and partner level.
- Deep understanding of data and analytics.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in senior cross-functional leadership or go-to-market roles.
- Demonstrated success in leading transformation or new proposition launches.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms, digital engagement, or B2B SaaS models.
WHY JOIN GLADSTONE
Play a pivotal role in leading the Nova project. Influence the future of digital engagement across the UK leisure sector. Join a global software group with strong growth opportunities, inclusive culture, and hybrid flexibility.
DEIB COMMITMENT
We celebrate diversity as a driver of innovation and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and offer a fair, equitable recruitment experience where your voice matters.
Director - Project Nova employer: Gladstone
Gladstone is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As part of a global software group, employees benefit from strong growth opportunities, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. Joining Gladstone means playing a pivotal role in transforming the leisure sector while being supported by a culture that values every voice and fosters professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Project Nova
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out 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 interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and services, especially Project NOVA. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! In interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully led cross-functional teams or managed complex projects. Highlight your strategic thinking and customer-centric approach, as these are key for the Director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us at Gladstone and being part of the exciting transformation with Project NOVA.
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Project Nova
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Director - Project NOVA role. Highlight your experience in cross-departmental leadership and transformation programmes, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:We want to see how you can zoom out and translate vision into executable strategies. Use examples from your past roles where you’ve successfully led go-to-market strategies or customer experience initiatives.
Emphasise Collaboration Skills:Collaboration is crucial for this role. Share specific instances where you’ve galvanised cross-functional teams towards shared objectives, especially in a SaaS or digital engagement context.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Gladstone.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gladstone
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Gladstone's Project NOVA and its impact on the leisure sector. Familiarise yourself with their cloud-based platforms and how they enhance customer engagement. This knowledge will help you articulate your vision for the role and demonstrate your genuine interest.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your past experiences in cross-departmental leadership and transformation programmes. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully aligned teams towards a common goal, as this is crucial for the Director role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Emphasise Customer-Centricity
Since the role focuses heavily on customer experience, be ready to discuss how you've previously used customer insights to drive strategy. Share examples of how you've built customer journeys or improved engagement, showcasing your ability to put customers at the heart of decision-making.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions around go-to-market strategies and commercialisation. Brush up on SaaS metrics and market dynamics relevant to the leisure industry. Be prepared to discuss how you would define Nova’s value proposition and drive adoption, demonstrating your strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
