At a Glance
- 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 opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for contract flexibility and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of commercial income in a creative environment.
- 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 in West Horsley 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 in West Horsley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research West Horsley Place, its values, and its commercial activities. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Attend events or connect with people in the industry on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors and give you insider info about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your pitch. Highlight your sales experience and how you've successfully turned ideas into income-generating activities. Be ready to share specific examples that showcase your entrepreneurial spirit!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team at West Horsley Place.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Income Lead in West Horsley
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 StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at The West Horsley Place Trust
✨Know Your Commercial Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the commercial income strategy of West Horsley Place. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and lead a clear strategy that aligns with their charitable purpose. Think about specific 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 along quantifiable achievements that demonstrate how you've met or exceeded income targets in previous roles. This will show them you have the strong sales experience they’re looking for.
✨Build Relationships on the Spot
Since this role involves building and maintaining strong client relationships, think of ways to demonstrate your relationship-building skills during the interview. Perhaps share a story about a time you turned a challenging client situation into a positive outcome. This will illustrate your excellent negotiation and client-handling skills.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle pressure and adapt in a busy events environment. Prepare examples of how you've managed multiple priorities or resolved conflicts in past roles. This will help them see how calm and adaptable you are under pressure.