At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape Trafford's commercial services, focusing on catering and cleaning for schools.
- Company: Join Trafford, a vibrant borough in Greater Manchester with ambitious goals.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to community and opportunity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education services while driving commercial growth.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in commercial strategy and customer-focused environments.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Working Pattern: 36.25 hour / full time
Interview Date/Type: In person week commencing 19 October 2026
SMART Working: We aim to offer flexibility wherever possible. Many of our colleagues work from home one or more days a week and/or adjust their hours. We call this SMART working - giving you the freedom to shape your working pattern around your life, whilst still delivering great outcomes. Speak with the hiring manager about the range of flexible working options available for this role.
Shape the Future of Commercial Services in One of Greater Manchester's Most Ambitious Councils. Trafford is a borough with bold ambitions, thriving communities, successful businesses, outstanding schools and a strong sense of place. It combines opportunity and innovation with a deep commitment to public service.
We're now looking for an exceptional commercial leader to help shape the future of Trafford's traded services offer. This is a rare opportunity to build on strong foundations, lead meaningful change and strengthen sustainable, customer-focused services for schools, education settings and communities. The role will also support income generation, customer retention and the long-term commercial resilience of Trafford’s traded services offer.
About the Role: Leading a portfolio centred on catering and cleaning services for schools and education settings, you will develop and deliver a clear commercial strategy that strengthens existing services, identifies opportunities for growth and supports long-term sustainability. This will include developing competitive pricing strategies and trading models that are financially sustainable and aligned to Trafford’s priorities.
You’ll work closely with schools, academy trusts, senior leaders, elected members and partners to shape future delivery models, improve performance and keep services responsive to customer needs. You will provide clear advice and assurance to senior stakeholders, helping them make informed decisions about future commercial direction.
Trafford's education sector is one of its greatest strengths, with long-established relationships across schools and education settings. This offers the chance to influence services that are integral to that ecosystem, creating high-quality services that support children, young people and communities.
You will bring evidence, insight and clarity to decision-making, developing robust financial and performance frameworks, using market intelligence and performance data to inform choices about growth, innovation and investment. You will also strengthen frameworks for pricing, governance, bids and future business development.
About You: Trafford has strong foundations, loyal customers and committed teams. It now needs a leader who can bring commercial insight, strategic direction and the confidence to turn ambition into delivery.
You’ll be a commercially credible leader who brings clarity to complex challenges and looks beyond day-to-day delivery. You will have a strong track record of balancing commercial opportunity with public service values, growing income or developing business opportunities in a customer-focused environment. You’ll be comfortable assessing markets, using financial and performance information, identifying where services can grow or change, and supporting informed decisions about long-term sustainability.
You’ll recognise that these services are about more than income generation. Catering and cleaning services play an important role in Trafford's education ecosystem and are valued by schools. You’ll protect those relationships while bringing the challenge, insight and commercial discipline needed to keep services competitive, financially resilient and fit for the future.
This is an opportunity to join a service at a defining point in its journey, combining commercial thinking, stakeholder engagement and purposeful leadership to deliver genuine impact.
About us: Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.
Why Trafford? We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our residents, businesses and communities thrive.
Our Culture: Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day. They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career.
What you’ll love about working with us: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance: Generous Leave: Start with 26 days of annual leave (plus...
Head of Commercial Services in Sale employer: Trafford Council
Trafford Council is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on local services. With hybrid working options and a commitment to employee development, you will have the opportunity to grow your skills while contributing to a modern Audit and Assurance service that prioritises positive customer outcomes in a vibrant community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Services in Sale
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Commercial Services at Trafford Council!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Trafford Council or be willing to refer you for that Head of Commercial Services position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Trafford Council who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Commercial Services star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Commercial Services role at Trafford Council!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Services in Sale
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Trafford Council. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Trafford Council
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Trafford Council. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
