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- Tasks: Lead and grow commercial income through innovative sales strategies and event management.
- Company: Join a vibrant team at West Horsley Place, a unique venue with a rich history.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, competitive salary, and the chance to shape commercial success.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for creativity and professional growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming ideas into income-generating activities while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in commercial sales or business development, with strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 43750 £ per year.
We are looking for a dynamic, entrepreneurial self-starter to lead and grow commercial income at West Horsley Place. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative thinker with strong sales experience who can spot new opportunities, develop fresh ideas and turn them into successful, income-generating activity from concept through to delivery.
Location: West Horsley Place (hybrid working considered)
Reporting to: Deputy Director
Hours: 0.8 Part Time
Contract: Fixed-term contract (12 months) with the option to extend. We are open to a range of contract models, including freelance arrangements, annualised hours, job share or alternative part-time structures. Applicants with experience delivering events at a senior level are encouraged to propose a working arrangement that supports effective sales performance and event delivery.
Working pattern: Working hours will be agreed to meet business needs, with regular evening and weekend work required to deliver events.
Salary: £35,000 for 0.8 Part Time (£43,750 FTE)
Role purpose
The Commercial Income Lead is a senior, entrepreneurial role responsible for shaping, growing and diversifying West Horsley Place’s commercial income. This is a highly proactive position for a self-starter who thrives on identifying opportunity, creating new sales channels and turning ideas into deliverable, income-generating activity. The postholder will develop and lead commercial strategy while remaining closely involved in hands-on sales, client management and on-site delivery.
The role oversees a broad portfolio including corporate venue hire, filming and photography, third-party commercial activity and estate partnerships. It also provides strategic oversight of weddings and private events, line-managing the Weddings & Private Events Coordinator who leads day-to-day sales and delivery in that area.
Key responsibilities
- Commercial leadership & strategy
- Develop and lead a clear commercial income strategy, aligned with the Trust’s charitable purpose and long-term sustainability.
- Identify, test and launch new sales channels, commercial products and partnerships, taking ideas from concept to implementation.
- Drive income growth by improving yield, diversifying offer and unlocking under-utilised assets across the house and estate.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity, using insight to evolve pricing, positioning and proposition.
- Sales & business development
- Personally lead sales activity for corporate hire, filming/location hire and other non-wedding commercial use.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, agents, production companies and partners to generate repeat business and referrals.
- Represent West Horsley Place confidently in commercial negotiations and external relationships.
- Planning & delivery
- Act as commercial lead for the planning and on-site delivery of non-wedding hires and events.
- Ensure high standards of delivery, client experience, risk management and operational coordination.
- Work closely with colleagues, contractors and tenants to ensure smooth delivery with minimal impact on public activity.
- Review performance and delivery post-event, embedding learning and continuous improvement.
- Filming, traders & partnerships
- Serve as principal contact for filming and location hire, including management of the relationship with the location agency.
- Oversee relationships with regular and seasonal traders and third-party hirers.
- Identify, negotiate and secure commercial partnerships and estate-based opportunities that align with the Trust’s values and character.
- Weddings & private events strategic oversight
- Provide strategic oversight of weddings and private events to ensure alignment with wider commercial objectives.
- Line-manage the Weddings & Private Events Coordinator, setting priorities, supporting development and monitoring performance.
- Enable cross-support between weddings and other events where appropriate, while protecting the coordinator’s primary focus on wedding sales and delivery.
- Organisational contribution
- Contribute to Trust-wide planning, commercial thinking and income development.
- Support Trust-led events and fundraising activity as required.
- Champion continuous improvement, new ways of working and a confident commercial culture.
- Undertake other reasonable duties as required.
Person Specification
- Warm, welcoming and highly professional manner.
- Confident, proactive and commercially minded.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented and solutions-focused.
- Excellent relationship-builder with the ability to work positively with colleagues, volunteers, trustees, tenants, contractors and external clients.
- Calm under pressure, flexible and adaptable in a busy events environment.
Skills and experience
Essential
- Proven experience in commercial sales, business development or income generation (typically 3+ years).
- Experience of venue hire, events, hospitality or visitor-attraction environments.
- Strong commercial judgement, with a track record of meeting income targets.
- Confident people manager with line management experience.
- Excellent relationship-building, negotiation and client-handling skills.
- Highly organised, adaptable and calm under pressure.
- Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.
Desirable
- Experience working in a charity or small organisation with mixed commercial objectives.
- Knowledge of estate-based commercial models (tenancies, concessions, licences).
Commercial Income Lead employer: The West Horsley Place Trust
Contact Detail:
The West Horsley Place Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Income Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or clients, let your creativity shine through. Share your ideas and how you can contribute to their goals. Remember, they’re looking for someone dynamic and entrepreneurial, just like you!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like West Horsley Place, and express your interest in working with them. A well-timed email can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after meetings or interviews. A quick thank-you note can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate how your skills align with their needs!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Income Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side: We want to see your entrepreneurial spirit shine through! When writing your application, don’t just list your experience; share how you’ve turned ideas into successful projects. Think about specific examples where you’ve spotted opportunities and made them happen.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure your application speaks directly to the role of Commercial Income Lead. Highlight your relevant experience in sales and event management, and connect it to our mission at West Horsley Place. Personalising your application shows us you’re genuinely interested!
Be Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, keep your application focused and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at West Horsley Place.
How to prepare for a job interview at The West Horsley Place Trust
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding commercial income strategies. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and lead a clear commercial income strategy that aligns with the Trust's charitable purpose. Think about examples from your past experience where you've successfully identified new sales channels or launched commercial products.
✨Showcase Your Sales Experience
Prepare to highlight your proven experience in commercial sales and business development. Bring specific examples of how you've met income targets in previous roles, especially in venue hire or events. This will demonstrate your strong commercial judgement and ability to drive income growth.
✨Build Relationships Like a Pro
Since this role involves building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners, think of ways to showcase your relationship-building skills. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate how you've successfully managed client relationships and generated repeat business in the past.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect questions about your hands-on experience in planning and delivering events. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured high standards of delivery and client experience in previous roles. Consider sharing a challenging situation you faced during an event and how you resolved it to ensure smooth delivery.