Deputy Head of Commercial Services in London

Deputy Head of Commercial Services in London

London Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON UNION

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and grow our dynamic commercial services, including retail, cafes, and events.
  • Company: Join a vibrant charity supporting UCL students with diverse extracurricular programmes.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a defined benefit pension, generous holidays, and hybrid working options.
  • Other info: Flexible working arrangements and a supportive, engaging workplace culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on student life while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in commercial leadership and team management.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

We are a registered charity employing over 150 career staff and 300 student staff, delivering a wide range of services and representative functions for UCL students. We have the widest portfolio of services of any student organisation in the country, managing UCL’s extracurricular programmes for sport, music, drama, dance, media, volunteering, academic societies and intercultural engagement; providing a wide range of fantastic social spaces; leading on student democracy and representation across UCL; and offering excellent student support services.

It's an exciting time to join our growing organisation as we lead the delivery of UCL’s groundbreaking new Student Life Strategy. This is enabling us to build more programmes to improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing, promote genuine equity for all, build students’ skills and confidence, develop their international connections and intercultural skills, and make a real contribution to our local community.

We support hybrid working. Excellent benefits including defined benefit pension scheme and generous holiday entitlement. We are proud of high levels of staff engagement and pride ourselves on being a great place to work. We will consider applications to work on a flexible and job share basis wherever possible. The role is full-time and permanent. This role is based at our Bloomsbury campus with flexibility to work from home on a 40/60 basis (40% working from the office).

Are you a commercially driven leader who can grow income, lead high performing teams and turn ideas into successful services? We are looking for an ambitious and experienced Deputy Head of Commercial Services to play a key leadership role across one of the most dynamic Students' Union commercial portfolios in the UK. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow our retail, cafes, bars, catering and venue operations while developing new income streams that support the wider student experience.

Reporting to the Head of Commercial Services, you will lead the day to day management of our commercial operations through a team of managers covering Retail, Catering, and Venues & Entertainment. You will also drive new business development, identifying and delivering commercial opportunity to make a visible impact across both existing services and future ventures.

Deputy Head of Commercial Services in London employer: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON UNION

As a registered charity at the heart of UCL, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions staff engagement and well-being. With a commitment to hybrid working, generous benefits including a defined benefit pension scheme, and a vibrant work culture that fosters personal and professional growth, we offer a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students. Join us at our Bloomsbury campus and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing the student experience through innovative commercial services.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON UNION

Contact Details:

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON UNION Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Commercial Services in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the organisation through LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in student services and commercial operations. Show us that you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about what’s happening in the sector.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with our mission to enhance student life. We want to hear how you can contribute to our exciting new Student Life Strategy.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Commercial Services in London

Commercial Awareness
Leadership Skills
Income Generation
Team Management
Business Development
Project Management
Strategic Planning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Deputy Head of Commercial Services role. Highlight your leadership experience and any commercial successes you've had, as we want to see how you can grow income and lead high-performing teams.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about improving the student experience and how your vision aligns with our Student Life Strategy. Be genuine and let your personality come through!

Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive new business development and manage commercial operations. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve increased revenue or improved team performance, shout about it!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON UNION

Know the Organisation Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you research the charity thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and the specific services they provide. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in contributing to their goals.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Deputy Head of Commercial Services, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams, driven income growth, or developed new services. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

Be Ready to Discuss Commercial Strategies

Think about innovative ideas you could bring to the table for growing income streams and enhancing student experiences. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach business development and what strategies you believe would work best in a student-focused environment.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask. This could be about the future direction of the Student Life Strategy or how the organisation measures success in its commercial operations. It shows you're engaged and thinking critically about the role.