Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth initiatives and develop partnerships to drive revenue for our student community.
- Company: Join the University of Southampton Students' Union, a student-run charity dedicated to enhancing student life.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, pension contributions, and discounted bus passes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while aligning commercial success with ethical values in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Proven business development experience and exceptional leadership skills are essential.
- Other info: This is a temporary role for 2 years; apply by 1st June 2025.
The predicted salary is between 30300 - 32500 £ per year.
Location: Southampton
Salary: Grade 5 - £36,308 - £38,894 per annum
Job type: Temporary 2 year FTC, Full Time
About the role:
We're looking for a commercially-minded, values-led leader to drive the next phase of our enterprise growth. This role is about more than hitting targets - it's about building ethical, sustainable income streams that serve our student community and reflect who we are as a charity.
As the Head of Growth and Enterprise, you will play a key role in scaling our operations, generating new revenue streams, and developing key partnerships. This is a hands-on role that requires both strategic thinking, strong financial acumen, a commercial mentality and a deep understanding of the merchandise and retail industries to fuel our first area of growth. Just as importantly, you will be expected to balance commercial success with a strong alignment to our values and ethos as a charity/membership organisation - ensuring that our growth reflects our purpose and vision.
If you have a proven track record of identifying new business opportunities, leading cross-functional teams to achieve success, and doing so in a way that reflects compassion, integrity, and social impact, we want to hear from you!
About you:
- Proven experience in business development, with a strong track record of generating new business opportunities.
- Lead growth in merchandise, retail, media sales, video production and events, ensuring financial success aligns with our organisations values.
- Strategic thinker with a strong focus on execution and achieving measurable growth.
- Ability to think outside the box and innovate in a fast-paced, competitive environment.
- Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, inspire, and lead cross-functional teams.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills to build strong relationships with clients and partners.
- A commitment to upholding and promoting the values and ethos of a charitable organisation in all business activity.
About Us:
We are the University of Southampton Students' Union (SUSU). Independent from the University, we're run by students, for students and our vision is that every student loves their time at Southampton.
As an employer, we offer a range of benefits:
- Holiday of 30 days per annum. In addition, there are eight closure holiday days during Easter and Christmas and eight bank holidays.
- Defined contributions pension scheme.
- Discounted bus passes (UniLink and Blue Star).
To find out more, visit our website.
Apply Now
You can easily apply using your CV and covering letter by clicking on 'Apply Now'.
For further information prior to submitting your application, please contact the People Team.
To know before applying:
Regretfully, SUSU is NOT a sponsoring organisation and is, therefore, not able to sponsor you for a visa if you require one (such as Tier 2) to work in the UK.
Please note feedback will not be provided if you are not shortlisted for interview.
SUSU is an equal opportunities employer that values a diverse workforce and we want to reflect the student body that we represent. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination and will ensure that our recruitment activities are mindful of equality and diversity matters.
Closing date: 1st June 2025
Interview Date: 10th June 2025
Please click 'APPLY' to submit your CV and Covering Letter for this role.
Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Head of Growth, Head of Development and Outreach, Head of Enterprise, Growth Manager may also be considered for this role.
Head of Growth & Enterprise (2-year Fixed Term) employer: University Of Southampton Students Union
Contact Detail:
University Of Southampton Students Union Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Growth & Enterprise (2-year Fixed Term)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the merchandise and retail industries. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential partners and gain insights into current trends that could benefit your application.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the University of Southampton Students' Union (SUSU) and their values. Understanding their mission and how they serve the student community will help you align your approach and demonstrate your commitment to their ethos during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of your past successes in business development, particularly those that reflect ethical practices and social impact. Be ready to discuss how these experiences can translate into growth for SUSU.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your communication and negotiation skills. Since this role involves building relationships with clients and partners, being able to articulate your ideas clearly and persuasively will be crucial in the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Growth & Enterprise (2-year Fixed Term)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in business development and leadership. Focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to generate new business opportunities and lead cross-functional teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the values of the organisation. Discuss how your strategic thinking and innovative approach can contribute to their growth while aligning with their charitable ethos.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Provide examples of your past successes in merchandise, retail, or similar industries. Highlight any measurable growth you achieved and how it reflects your commitment to ethical practices.
Demonstrate Leadership Skills: Illustrate your exceptional leadership abilities by sharing experiences where you motivated and inspired teams. Emphasise your communication and negotiation skills, especially in building relationships with clients and partners.
How to prepare for a job interview at University Of Southampton Students Union
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in business development. Highlight specific examples where you identified new opportunities and successfully generated revenue, especially in merchandise or retail sectors.
✨Align with Their Values
Understand the ethos of the organisation and be ready to explain how your approach to growth aligns with their charitable mission. Discuss how you can balance commercial success with social impact.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare to share instances where you've led cross-functional teams. Emphasise your ability to motivate and inspire others, as well as how you’ve navigated challenges in a team setting.
✨Think Strategically and Innovatively
Expect questions that assess your strategic thinking. Be ready to present innovative ideas for growth and how you would execute them in a fast-paced environment, showcasing your problem-solving skills.
