Head of Commercial

Reporting to the Executive Board Director for Income, Technology and Communications The Head of Commercial is a strategically important senior leadership role responsible for shaping the RSPB’s commercial future and maximising the contribution commercial activity makes to the organisation’s income, strategic ambitions and long-term success.

Leading a diverse, multi-channel portfolio spanning Retail, E-commerce, Licensing, Wholesale and Food & Beverage, together with the critical enabling functions of Buying & Merchandising and Fulfilment, you will bring these areas together to deliver sustainable income, exceptional customer experiences, and long-term organisational value.

As a senior commercial leader with significant proven successful experience, you will set and drive the commercial strategy, identifying new opportunities for growth, innovation and partnership while ensuring the RSPB continues to evolve and thrive in a changing market.

You will harness customer insight, expertise and market understanding to strengthen income streams, expand audience reach and maximise the value of the RSPB brand.

Working across the organisation and influencing at senior level, you will ensure customer needs are at the heart of commercial decision-making. By connecting commercial opportunity with strategic ambition, you will drive sustainable growth, strengthen supporter engagement, and deliver outstanding results.

This is a unique opportunity to combine senior strategic commercial leadership with purpose, translating commercial success into meaningful organisational impact.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience leading a commercial, retail, ecommerce, trading or other income-generating function at a senior level, with responsibility for strategic direction and performance
• Experience managing multi-million-pound income and expenditure budgets, including forecasting, commercial performance analysis and investment decision-making.
• Experience developing and delivering commercial strategies, using commercial and financial insight to identify opportunities and make decisions that drive growth, profitability and sustainable income.
• Experience working across complex organisations or partnerships, building relationships and influencing senior stakeholders without relying on direct authority.
• Experience presenting complex performance, governance or strategic information to senior decision-makers, such as Boards, Trustees or Executive-level stakeholders.
• Experience negotiating and managing commercial partnerships and contracts, including identifying and managing associated commercial risks.
• Knowledge of retail, ecommerce and a range of other commercial or trading models, such as licensing, wholesale or food and beverage, and how these contribute to customer growth, experience and income generation
• Experience using customer or audience insight to inform commercial decisions, improve customer experience and support audience or supporter growth.
• Experience leading organisational change and improvement, introducing new approaches and delivering agreed strategic outcomes.
• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams to deliver agreed objectives, including supporting individual and team performance and development
• Able to communicate complex commercial and financial information clearly and use evidence to influence senior stakeholders, support decision-making and build effective partnerships.

Additional Information

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

We are looking to conduct first interviews for this position on 4th and 5th November . For further information please contact [email protected], PA to the Executive Director, Income, Technology and Communications.

We recommend reading the candidate guidance notes to support you through this process and please reach out if you require any reasonable adjustment.

In order to apply you will be required to upload a CV and complete an application form where you will have the opportunity to explain how you meet the set criteria above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. this role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.