We re 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.
Commercial Income Lead
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
Attributes
* 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).
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