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- Tasks: Lead the commercial strategy to drive growth and enhance customer value.
- Company: Join Places for People, a social enterprise dedicated to thriving communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, health memberships, bonuses, and discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in communities while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial leadership experience in customer-facing sectors required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are Places for People, we\’re a social enterprise that believes it\’s people that make a community. That\’s why we build homes and deliver services for everyone in the community to thrive. You will be working for Places Leisure which is a part of Places for People who are changing lives by creating active places and healthy people for communities to thrive, and we want to be the UK\’s leading physical activity and wellbeing social enterprise.
We aren\’t your typical company. We apply the same philosophy to our People as we do to our communities, ensuring our team is appreciated and supported. At Places for People, you\’re more than just a number – you\’re part of our cause.
So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you!
More about the team
You will be joining and leading a critical team in the business. Across Places Leisure we are made up of specialists from the leisure, hospitality and retail sectors and we are passionate about doing the right thing. We know that our 7,500 Colleagues are the key to our success and it is our role to inspire and support them so that they can look after our Customers.
More about your role
As our Head of, you will own and lead the full commercial strategy for all products and membership revenue, driving growth and enhancing customer value. You will set revenue targets for the budget, develop pricing and promotional plans, and use data and market insights to guide decisions which put Customers first. You will design a compelling membership structure and offers that meet customer needs and support retention, working across teams to launch improvements and new opportunities. You will develop and lead a multi-channel sales strategy to boost acquisition and retention through various channels, coordinating closely with marketing and operations. You will implement commercial planning processes with clear goals and performance reporting which fully support the business operation and enable us to deliver a consistent customer experience. You will build and inspire a strong commercial team, fostering a culture of accountability and Customer-focus. Lastly, you will position the commercial function as a trusted partner across the business, communicating clearly and aligning teams around shared goals.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Senior commercial leadership experience within multi-site, customer-facing organisations — ideally in sectors such as leisure, fitness, retail, telecoms, or hospitality.
- Proven ability to drive sustained revenue growth through customer-led product development, pricing, yield optimisation, and promotional planning.
- Extensive experience of conducting and interpreting data analysis with both a commercial and customer insight mindset.
- Skilled in designing and embedding commercial planning tools and processes across the business that streamline operations, promote consistency, and support effective decision-making.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel, BI tools, and commercial analysis platforms, with expertise in modelling, forecasting, and reporting.
More about you
You will bring significant experience in commercial leadership roles within multi-site, customer-facing environments. You are highly collaborative in nature and are energised about making a difference to customers. You have a strong track record of driving revenue growth through customer-led product development, pricing, yield management, and promotions. You are data-driven, commercially curious, and highly analytical. You will be confident in communicating with executive stakeholders, proactive in identifying opportunities, and skilled at leading high-performing teams. Your strategic thinking, combined with the ability to execute at pace and manage change across operational teams, will be essential. Experience with membership or subscription models, digital acquisition, and CRM systems is also highly valued.
Benefits
We are a large, diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for. We know that there\’s always more we can do to make you smile, that\’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:
- Full Health & Fitness membership for you, a nominated adult and up to 4 juniors
- Flexible working
- Annual Bonus
- An opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
- Lots of opportunity to access ongoing personal learning and development
- Access to our Company Pension scheme
- Discounts of up to 50% on activities, centre shop and cafes
- Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.
What\’s next?
If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.
As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and accessible recruitment process for all.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We\’re happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.
If you are a Places for People customer and you\’re looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on .
If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls
Safeguarding
At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone\’s responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect.
We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.
By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities
Head of Commercial employer: Places Leisure
Contact Detail:
Places Leisure Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the leisure and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and decision-makers. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Places for People and its mission. Understand their community-focused approach and think of ways you can contribute to their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about their cause.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs. Highlight your commercial leadership skills and how you’ve driven revenue growth in previous roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find more info about the role and the amazing benefits we offer. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for community and how you can contribute to our cause.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in commercial leadership. Show us how your skills align with our mission of creating active places and healthy people!
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since we’re all about data-driven decisions, don’t forget to mention your experience with data analysis and how it has helped you drive revenue growth. We love a good number cruncher!
Apply Through Our Website: Ready to take the plunge? Head over to our careers site to apply directly! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Places Leisure
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research Places for People and its mission. Understand how they contribute to community wellbeing and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your skills to their vision.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Given the emphasis on data analysis in the job description, be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive revenue growth or improve customer experiences. Bring along any relevant reports or analyses you've conducted to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Questions
As a Head of Commercial, collaboration is key. Anticipate questions about how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Think of examples where you’ve successfully aligned different departments around shared goals, and be ready to share how you fostered a culture of accountability.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Membership Models
Since the role involves designing membership structures, brush up on your knowledge of membership or subscription models. Be prepared to discuss innovative ideas you have for enhancing customer retention and acquisition through these models, as well as any relevant experience you have in this area.
