Commercial Strategy Manager

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports: Matrix working across the Legal, Digital, Data and Business Management teams, alongside CEO

Contract: 18 months FTC, with the possibility of becoming permanent. 35 hours per week

Location: Hybrid working in London office in Kings Cross 2–3 days/week plus homeworking

Salary: circa £50,000 (based on experience) + 10% non-contributory pension

About LEASE

The Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) is a statutory public body and Arm’s Length Body of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. We provide free, expert, impartial advice on leasehold and commonhold matters to consumers in England and Wales - leaseholders, park homeowners, residents’ associations, MPs and professionals working in the sector. Around five million households live in leasehold properties in England and Wales. Our advice helps them understand their rights, navigate complex legal questions, and engage confidently with one of the most consequential reforms to residential property law in a generation. With over 1.4 million annual website visitors and tens of thousands of direct enquiries, we are the country’s most-used independent source of free legal advice on leasehold. Our Three-Year Strategy 2026–2029 will set out an ambitious direction: by 2029, LEASE will be digital-first, ethically AI-enabled, insight-led, respected by government and trusted by consumers.

Why this role matters now

LEASE is building meaningful income independence for the first time. Our strategy commits us to generating 15% of our income independently by 2028/29, with a credible path towards 35% by 2031 - from a diversified portfolio of accredited professional training, data and insight services, commissioned research and sector subscriptions. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and the move towards commonhold create a substantial professional learning and engagement need that LEASE is uniquely placed to serve.

This is a developing commercial role at the centre of that ambition. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will help turn our Commercial Strategy from plan into delivery - building the events, partnerships, products and operational foundations that make sustainable, impartial income possible, while protecting our public purpose and our commitment never to charge consumers for advice they have a right to access for free.

Role purpose

This is a development-focused role for someone with strong commercial, consultancy, operational or legal awareness who is ready to grow into broader commercial and organisational leadership. Working directly with the CEO and across our Legal, Digital, Data and Business Management teams, you will help shape and deliver LEASE’s commercial activity: income-generating events and professional engagement, partnerships, and the operational clarity and governance that make commercial delivery dependable. Your initial focus will be on commercial development, events and the operating foundations beneath them. Over time, with support and senior exposure, you will build capability across commercial strategy, budget management and organisational development, with scope to grow into a more senior role.

Key responsibilities

1. Commercial Development and Income

• Support the development and delivery of the LEASE Commercial Strategy: scope and test income opportunities across professional training, data and insight services, commissioned research and sector subscriptions, helping to build a credible, diversified income portfolio that protects LEASE’s impartiality and public purpose.

2. Events and Professional Engagement

• Own the planning and delivery of LEASE’s events programme end to end - roundtables, conferences, webinars and professional briefings - including income-generating events, sponsorship and engagement with professional bodies and the wider sector.

3. Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and manage relationships with professional bodies, sector partners and public-sector users; support co-endorsement and partnership arrangements that extend LEASE’s reach and strengthen its commercial offer.

4. Operations, Governance and Delivery

• Bring structure and consistency to how commercial and operational work is run: develop clear, proportionate processes and policies; manage suppliers and contracts; identify inefficiencies and design practical improvements; and work cross-functionally so that delivery is well-organised, governed and aligned across teams.

5. Budget Planning and reporting

• Support commercial budget planning, monitoring and reporting; track income and costs against plan; and provide clear, accurate management information to the CEO and senior team. Maintain the propriety and value-for-money discipline expected of a public body.

6. Organisational development and professional standards

• Contribute to organisational clarity - roles, responsibilities and ways of working - and help embed a professional, consistent approach across the teams and partners you work with.

Person specification

We are looking for a practical, organised and commercially-minded professional ready to develop into a broader leadership role. The post will appeal to people from commercial, consultancy, operations, governance or legal backgrounds who enjoy making things work and want exposure to senior decision-making.

Essential experience, skills and knowledge

• Relevant Background: a commercial, consultancy, operational, governance or legal background, with experience in a delivery or income-generating environment.
• Budget Management: experience planning, monitoring and reporting against budget, with sound judgement on value for money.
• Organisational thinking: able to bring structure, clarity and logic to how work and processes are designed.
• Drafting and Communication: excellent written communication and a confident communicator, comfortable working with senior colleagues and external partners.
• Practical and solutions-focused: focused on making things work in practice, not just on paper.
• Ambition to develop: an interest in growing into broader commercial and organisational leadership.

Desirable experience

• Experience delivering events, partnerships or commercial products.
• Understanding of the public sector, arm’s-length bodies or ‘Managing Public Money’ principles.
• Basic awareness of employment or people practices.
• Interest in, or knowledge of, the leasehold and commonhold sector.

Benefits

LEASE is committed to supporting staff with training and development which can be tailored to business requirements and individual needs. The post is open to full time, flexible working and job-share applicants. Other benefits include:

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 35-hour week with flexi-working
• 10% non-contributory pension
• One professional subscription paid
• A friendly and supportive culture

LEASE is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, in particular those underrepresented in legal and advice professions.

Information on Role

LEASE is committed to appointing on experience, seeking candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds and taking full account of equal opportunities. Applications are particularly welcome from women, minority ethnic and disabled candidates who are underrepresented at this level in public life.

Working Pattern

The working pattern for the role is hybrid, currently combining homeworking with regular attendance at our London base in Kings Cross on Wednesdays and Fridays. Attendance is also required at staff awaydays. Additional flexibility on office attendance may be available to those living outside the Southeast subject to business needs.

Security and Right to Work

Successful candidates must pass a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK. They will be subject to UK immigration requirements.

How to apply

Please send a CV with a covering letter with a statement setting out how you meet the job specification criteria. Applications require a covering letter.

Application closing date: 29th June 2026