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- Tasks: Lead and manage commercial operations, driving growth and innovation.
- Company: Join Royal Holloway Students’ Union, a vibrant not-for-profit charity supporting diverse student life.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative environment with opportunities for creativity and impact.
- Other info: Request a Recruitment Pack for more details and apply by 29 September 2025.
- Why this job: Shape the future of student services and make a real difference in the community.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in leading teams and developing commercial services is essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Royal Holloway Students’ Union (RHSU) is a vibrant, student-led organisation at the heart of the Royal Holloway, University of London community. Dedicated to enhancing the student experience, RHSU delivers a wide range of services, activities, and opportunities that support student life, wellbeing, and development. With a strong focus on community, inclusion, and innovation, the Union plays a vital role in shaping a positive and engaging university experience.
As part of its strategic ambitions, RHSU is committed to strengthening its commercial operations to ensure long term financial sustainability while continuing to deliver high quality, accessible services for its diverse student body. To shape the future direction of commercial services, driving innovation, long term sustainability, and an enhanced student experience, the Students’ Union is seeking to appoint a Head of Commercial Operations.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Commercial Operations will play a pivotal role in leading the Union’s commercial and building services strategy. The postholder will oversee a diverse portfolio including commercial services, events and entertainment, facilities management, and health and safety, ensuring that all operations are innovative, efficient, and aligned with organisational priorities.
Leading a team of experienced managers, this role will drive the long-term commercial strategy, focusing on sustainable income growth, service improvement, and the development of new opportunities aligned to student needs. The postholder will ensure that services and facilities are continuously enhanced, efficient, and fully compliant.
A key priority will be leadership by building and empowering high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative culture, and driving organisational change. The role will also play a central part in financial planning and performance, overseeing significant budgets and ensuring delivery against strategic objectives.
The successful candidate will bring strong experience in commercial or operational leadership, with a proven track record of delivering strategic outcomes and leading complex, multi-functional teams in a dynamic environment. They will demonstrate excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build partnerships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
We encourage applications from candidates with a range of professional backgrounds, including retail, hospitality, and leisure. The role is site based and predominantly Monday to Friday.
Applications should include a CV and a covering letter of no more than two pages. Please send them to anna.kacprzak@mrgglobal.com
The candidate brochure can be viewed at RHSU – Head of Commercial Operations
The closing date for applications is Thursday, 7th of May.
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Head of Commercial Operations employer: Royal Holloway Students' Union
Contact Detail:
Royal Holloway Students' Union Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Royal Holloway Students’ Union and its current commercial services. Understanding their existing offerings and identifying areas for innovation will help you demonstrate your entrepreneurial flair during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Union to gain insights into their culture and values. This will not only prepare you for interviews but also show your genuine interest in becoming part of their community.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and developed commercial services in the past. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your ability to drive growth and engage customers effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Think about innovative ideas that could enhance student life through commercial services. Presenting fresh concepts during your conversations will demonstrate your proactive approach and commitment to making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description and person specification in the Recruitment Pack. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Head of Commercial Operations position.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in leading teams and developing commercial services. Use specific examples that demonstrate your entrepreneurial flair and ability to drive growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your innovative mindset and leadership qualities. Explain how your background in retail, hospitality, or events management aligns with the role and how you can contribute to the Union's commercial strategy.
Follow Up: After submitting your application, consider following up with Dominic Morris to express your enthusiasm for the role. This shows initiative and can help keep your application top of mind.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Holloway Students' Union
✨Show Your Entrepreneurial Flair
As a candidate for the Head of Commercial Operations, it's crucial to demonstrate your entrepreneurial spirit. Prepare examples of how you've successfully launched or improved commercial services in previous roles, highlighting your innovative ideas and the impact they had on customer engagement.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities. Be ready to discuss your experience in leading diverse teams, fostering collaboration, and creating a proactive culture. Share specific instances where you motivated your team to achieve sales growth and enhance service delivery.
✨Understand the Student Community
Familiarise yourself with the unique needs and preferences of the student community at Royal Holloway. During the interview, express your understanding of how commercial services can enhance student life and engage them effectively. This shows that you are not just focused on profits but also on community impact.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since you'll be working alongside other senior leaders to deliver the organisational strategy, be prepared to discuss your strategic vision for the commercial operations. Think about how you can align your ideas with the overall goals of the Union and be ready to articulate this clearly.