Job Description
Your Role:
The Commercial Director for CEA CAPA, Global Operations, plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing the commercial strategy across global operations study sites. This senior leader is responsible for driving cost efficiency, optimizing cost of goods, and identifying opportunities for incremental revenue generation. The role requires deep commercial acumen, strong financial management capability, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across a complex global framework.
Working closely with the Chief Global Operations Officer, Regional Vice Presidents, Finance Director and onsite leadership, the Commercial Director ensures that commercial best practices, procurement strategy, and cost-optimization initiatives are embedded across all global sites.
This role will work closely with the Global housing team including the Vice President of Real Estate to drive cost saving efficiencies across our global housing and real estate spend, including supporting in the management of RFP’s and market tenders. This role is central to strengthening the commercial performance of CEA CAPA, ensuring sustainable, scalable operational excellence.
This role is eligible to be worked remotely in the United Kingdom.
What You’ll Do:
Commercial Strategy & Leadership
* Develop and lead the commercial strategy for CEA CAPA across all global operations study sites.
* Partner with senior global operations leaders to align commercial priorities with operational and organizational objectives.
* Drive a culture of commercial excellence, cost discipline, and value creation across the global operations organization.
Financial & P&L Management
* Oversee and manage P&L performance for relevant operational areas, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
* Analyse cost drivers, operational spend, and revenue streams to identify opportunities for optimization.
* Lead the development and implementation of cost saving initiatives and revenue enhancing strategies.
* Provide commercial insight and recommendations to support strategic decision making.
Cost of Goods & Procurement Optimization
* Own the strategy for cost of goods across global study sites, ensuring efficient, sustainable, and value driven cost structures.
* Partner with relevant leaders to drive vendor strategy, contract optimization, and commercial negotiation best practices.
* Identify and implement opportunities for cost efficiencies, process improvements, and commercial innovation.
* Provide expert support on tender processes including RFP’s and work with cross functional leaders to identify areas for market benchmarking and cost analysis.
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
* Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior stakeholders including the Chief Global Operations Officer, Regional VPs, Senior Directors, and Finance leadership.
* Act as a trusted commercial advisor, providing insight, challenge, and strategic guidance.
* Communicate commercial performance, risks, and opportunities clearly and effectively across the organization.
Performance Improvement & Governance
* Establish and maintain commercial KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to monitor performance and drive accountability.
* Ensure robust governance of commercial decisions, cost management, and procurement activities.
* Lead cross functional initiatives to enhance commercial capability and operational efficiency across global sites.
Starting Salary: £90,000
What Makes a Great Candidate:
Essential
* Proven experience managing a P&L in a complex, multi-site or global environment.
* Strong commercial acumen with deep understanding of cost drivers, financial modelling, and operational economics.
* Demonstrated success delivering cost savings and/or revenue growth initiatives
* Experience influencing senior stakeholders at executive level
* Strong analytical capability with the ability to translate data into actionable insight.
* Expertise in procurement strategy, supplier management, and commercial negotiation.
* Right to work in the UK.
Desirable
* Experience in global operations, multi-site, diverse stakeholder management environments e.g. retail, QSR.
* P&L ownership and management across different sites, with clear accountability for effective cost management.
* Background in commercial transformation or operational excellence programs.
* Ability to navigate matrixed organizations and drive alignment across diverse regions.
Leadership Attributes
* Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
* Highly collaborative, able to build trust and influence without authority.
* Strong communicator with the ability to simplify complexity and drive clarity.
* Results driven, resilient, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced global environment.
* Committed to continuous improvement and commercial innovation.Who We Are:
CEA CAPA is a leading provider of transformative international education experiences, helping students live and learn abroad. With programmes in 62 cities across 22 countries, 11 international study centres, and partnerships with 375+ universities, we support over 10,000 students annually.
Our global team of nearly 700 professionals is mission-driven and committed to delivering inclusive, high-quality academic and cultural experiences that support student growth and global understanding.
Our commitment to belonging means we welcome individuals of all abilities, ages, citizenships, educations, ethnicities, family statuses, gender identities, genders, genetic information, languages, marital status, military experiences, political views, pregnancy, races, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and work experiences and therefore we encourage applicants from diverse lived experiences to apply.
Note: This role profile provides an overview of responsibilities and is not exhaustive. The role holder may be required to undertake additional duties in line with business needs. Any material changes will be made in consultation with the role holder and relevant stakeholders in accordance with applicable policies and legislation.