Commercial Director - Student Accommodation

About us

Introducing Lumis, a premier student accommodation provider offering a unique blend of comfort, convenience, and community. With current locations in the vibrant cities of Cardiff and Leicester in the UK, Lumis is expanding its reach across Europe. In Austria, Lumis boasts two state-of-the-art sites, one nestled in the cultural hub of Graz, and the other in the enchanting city of Vienna. Further expanding its international footprint, Lumis proudly presents a contemporary residence in Leipzig, Germany, providing students with a home away from home. Excitingly, Lumis has its sights set on new horizons, with the construction of a dynamic student housing project underway in the heart of Dublin, Ireland. Additionally, a promising site in Portugal is in the pipeline, promising to bring the Lumis experience to even more students seeking modern, secure, and vibrant living spaces.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Commercial Director will lead Lumis Living’s commercial strategy, with a core focus on rapidly growing the 3rd party management portfolio in the UK. This role is accountable for delivering ambitious growth targets—1,500 rooms in year one (across the lowest number of properties possible) and 1,000 rooms per year thereafter—while maximising revenue, profitability, and client satisfaction. The successful candidate will drive market entry, build strategic partnerships, and ensure Lumis’ values and service standards are embedded in every client and resident interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Growth of 3rd Party Operations

• Identify, target, and secure new 3rd party management contracts with PBSA asset owners, institutional investors, and developers.
• Deliver the annual growth target of 1,500 rooms in year one, focusing on high-density opportunities to minimise the number of new properties onboarded.
• Develop and implement a robust pipeline strategy to achieve a minimum of 1,000 additional rooms per year thereafter.
• Lead all commercial negotiations, contract structuring, and onboarding processes for new 3rd party clients.
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with key decision-makers in the PBSA investment and real estate community.

• Develop and execute the overarching commercial strategy for Lumis Living across the UK and Europe.
• Lead revenue generation initiatives, including pricing, occupancy optimisation, and yield management.
• Oversee sales and leasing performance, ensuring annual lettings targets are achieved or exceeded.
• Work closely with marketing to drive brand awareness and conversion in the 3rd party operator space.
• Provide commercial input into asset development, refurbishment, and acquisition decisions.

• Act as the primary commercial point of contact for all 3rd party clients, ensuring high levels of satisfaction, retention, and referral.
• Oversee the delivery of tailored service level agreements (SLAs) and reporting for each client.
• Collaborate with operations, finance, and asset management teams to ensure seamless mobilisation and ongoing performance of new properties.

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and student demographic shifts to inform strategy and business development.
• Identify new revenue opportunities, including ancillary services, retail, merchandising, and F&B for managed assets.
• Champion the use of digital platforms and data analytics to enhance commercial performance and client value.

• Build and lead a high-performing commercial team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
• Mentor and develop talent, ensuring succession and growth within the commercial function.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience in commercial roles within PBSA, real estate, hospitality, or co-living sectors, with a focus on business development or 3rd party management.
• Track record of delivering growth targets in multi-site operations, ideally including new contract wins and onboarding.
• Strong network within the UK PBSA investor and real estate community.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and presentation skills.
• Data-driven, strategic thinker with a passion for customer service and innovation.
• Degree in Business, Real Estate, Economics, or related field; MBA or equivalent is a plus.