At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial growth strategy and enhance client relationships across the organisation.
- Company: Join Make UK, a champion for UK manufacturing with over 125 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions, and life assurance.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK manufacturing while shaping commercial strategies at an executive level.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in commercial leadership and client relationship management.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Location: Ideally Midlands, London or Bristol, with a minimum of two days per week at a Make UK location and regular travel.
Competitive salaries and excellent benefits including up to one day's paid leave each year to undertake volunteering opportunities.
At Make UK, we represent and champion the interests of UK manufacturing, supporting businesses through a broad range of commercial services, expertise and partnerships. We’re now looking for an exceptional Commercial Director to join our Executive Board and lead the next phase of our commercial growth. This is a high-profile leadership role with real scope to make an impact.
You’ll be responsible for shaping and delivering Make UK’s commercial growth strategy, bringing together Business Development, Key Accounts and Marketing, while working closely with leaders across our HR & Legal, HR Consultancy, Environment, Health & Safety, Membership, Partnerships & Events and wider Make Group businesses. We want to build a more commercially confident, collaborative and client-focused organisation – breaking down silos, strengthening relationships, creating more opportunities to cross-sell and ensuring our clients experience the full value of Make UK.
The role
- Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and sitting on the Executive Board, you’ll provide strategic commercial leadership while remaining close to the day‑to‑day realities of business development and client relationships.
- You’ll lead our Key Account Directors, Key Account Managers and Business Development teams, creating a consistent and disciplined approach to pipeline development, account management and growth.
- Alongside this, you’ll provide strategic leadership to Marketing, ensuring campaigns, events, thought leadership and digital activity are closely aligned to our commercial priorities.
- You’ll work across the organisation to encourage collaboration, create stronger internal referral routes and ensure our teams are confident in identifying opportunities and having meaningful commercial conversations with clients.
- Develop and deliver Make UK’s commercial growth strategy across our commercial businesses.
- Lead and develop the Business Development and Key Account functions, driving accountability, focus and commercial discipline.
- Develop strategic account management and pipeline growth, increasing retention, cross‑selling and client value.
- Lead the Marketing function and align its activity with wider commercial objectives.
- Work closely with Business Unit Heads to identify and develop new growth opportunities.
- Build a more commercially aware and BD‑confident culture across Make UK.
- Break down organisational silos and create a genuinely One Team approach to client development.
- Build strong relationships with senior clients, prospects and strategic partners.
- Support major bids, pitches and strategic account opportunities.
- Represent Make UK externally through networking, events, speaking opportunities and thought leadership.
- Introduce meaningful commercial reporting, KPIs and measurement frameworks.
- Work closely with Finance to strengthen forecasting and revenue visibility.
- Coach and influence colleagues at all levels, helping develop stronger relationship‑building and client engagement skills.
About you
We’re looking for an experienced commercial leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands‑on approach. You’ll have a strong track record of leading commercial, business development or client relationship teams and will be comfortable operating at Executive Board level while remaining close to clients, teams and opportunities. You’ll ideally bring experience within the legal, HR, employment, advisory or professional services environment, with a strong understanding of relationship‑led B2B services. Crucially, you’ll also have in‑house experience within a corporate or blue‑chip organisation and understand how to influence key accounts, embed best practice and build commercial capability internally. You’ll be credible, visible and approachable, with the ability to influence senior leaders and operational teams alike.
- Collaborative and relationship‑led
- Commercially curious
- Strategic but practical
- Visible and approachable
- Solutions‑focused
- Proactive and accountable
- Comfortable challenging the status quo
- Passionate about innovation and continuous improvement
Why Make UK?
This is an opportunity to join the Executive Board of a high‑profile organisation at the heart of UK manufacturing and play a significant role in shaping how we grow and engage with our clients. You’ll have the opportunity to influence commercial strategy across a diverse portfolio of services, work alongside experienced leaders across the organisation and make a tangible difference to our commercial performance and culture. With over 125 years of experience, Make UK is a leading provider of essential business support and a champion for manufacturing industry in the UK. Make UK has the close ear of Government and is a trusted provider of essential services for world leading manufacturing companies across the country. Everything we do is designed to inspire British manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow.
Make UK staff enjoy a good benefits package and values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Benefits to include, but not limited to: no bank holiday/weekend work, flexible hours, health cover, matched pension contributions up to 8%, and life assurance.
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and we recognise the contribution that Service personnel, both regular and reservist, veterans and military families make to our organisation and have pledged to support this by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Our Values at Make UK: Inclusivity & Diversity, Integrity, Innovation, & Collaboration.
Commercial Director in London employer: Make UK
As a leading Housing Association, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and support for continuous learning, ensuring that our team members can advance their careers while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation provides a unique chance to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to innovative housing solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Make UK.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Make UK.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Make UK.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Make UK. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Make UK
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Make UK, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Make UK, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Make UK could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Make UK as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
