At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial growth and develop strategies for a beloved conservation charity.
- Company: Welsh Mountain Zoo, Wales' oldest zoo with a mission to inspire passion for nature.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, and 33 days annual leave.
- Other info: Dynamic role with varied responsibilities and the chance to shape the zoo's future.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on wildlife conservation while leading innovative commercial initiatives.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in commercial leadership, budget management, and team motivation.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Lead commercial growth at the National Zoo of Wales and help shape the future of one of Wales' most iconic conservation charities. At Welsh Mountain Zoo, our mission is simple: To inspire passion for nature with every unforgettable visit. Every visitor, every partnership and every commercial decision helps us protect wildlife, educate future generations and secure the long‑term future of the zoo.
As Wales' oldest and most established zoo, we're home to more than 60 species across a spectacular 37‑acre site, welcoming over 160,000 visitors each year while supporting conservation projects in the UK and around the world. Every commercial success helps fund our vision of a future where the natural world is valued, understood, and protected.
We're looking for an ambitious, commercially minded leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Commercial Director. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys combining commercial thinking with purpose. You'll provide strategic leadership across our commercial functions, including Guest Services, Marketing, Fundraising, Partnerships and Finance, ensuring every aspect of the visitor journey contributes to an exceptional guest experience and sustainable commercial growth.
Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Director of Living Collections and Board of Trustees, you'll help shape the zoo's long‑term strategy, identify new commercial opportunities and ensure our commercial objectives support our conservation and charitable mission.
What you'll lead
- Developing and delivering the zoo's commercial strategy to support long‑term sustainability.
- Providing strategic leadership across our Guest Services, Marketing, Fundraising and Finance teams.
- Developing new income streams while maximising revenue from admissions, memberships, retail, experiences, events, fundraising and strategic partnerships.
- Leading major commercial projects from concept through to successful delivery.
- Building strong relationships with sponsors, local businesses, community organisations and key stakeholders.
- Driving innovative marketing campaigns that attract new and returning visitors while strengthening the Welsh Mountain Zoo brand.
- Leading annual budget setting, financial planning, forecasting and commercial performance, ensuring robust financial stewardship and long‑term sustainability.
- Preparing strategic reports, business cases and performance updates for the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
- Using commercial insight, KPIs and performance data to drive informed decision‑making and continuous improvement.
- Working collaboratively across the organisation to align commercial objectives with operational, conservation and animal welfare priorities.
- Championing outstanding visitor experiences and exceptional customer service.
- Contributing to organisational strategy as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.
No two days are the same. One day you may be presenting commercial performance to the Board of Trustees; the next, launching a new visitor experience, negotiating a corporate partnership, developing the annual budget or supporting a major conservation fundraising campaign. This is a varied, strategic role offering the opportunity to make a tangible impact across every aspect of the organisation.
About you
We're looking for someone who combines commercial acumen with strong leadership and a genuine passion for conservation. You'll ideally have experience leading commercial functions within a visitor attraction, tourism, hospitality, leisure or charitable organisation, together with:
- A proven track record of growing income and identifying new commercial opportunities.
- Experience managing budgets, analysing performance and making data‑led decisions.
- The ability to motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Experience in marketing, partnerships, fundraising or business development.
- A proactive, collaborative approach with the confidence to lead change.
Above all, you'll be someone who thrives on making a positive impact and wants to help secure the future of Welsh Mountain Zoo. As Commercial Director, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the National Zoo of Wales, working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees to deliver our long‑term vision.
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer: Pension Scheme, 33 days' annual leave.
Commercial Director employer: RGIT Australia
RGIT Australia is an outstanding employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, perfect for those passionate about the beauty industry. With hybrid working options and competitive benefits, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their careers while contributing to the success of innovative product portfolios. Join us in a vibrant environment where your expertise in product marketing can truly shine and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by RGIT Australia.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like RGIT Australia.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at RGIT Australia.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at RGIT Australia. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of RGIT Australia. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Commercial Director, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at RGIT Australia
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of RGIT Australia. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
