Please note the OU Students Association has recently rebranded to Open SU
Post Title: Head of Commercial Operations
Responsible to: Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications
Location: PO Box 397, Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK6 6BE
Hours of Work: Full time
Salary: £38,784 to £41,064 per annum
Duration of post: 18 months (with possible extension)
Where we are now
The Students’ Union is a great employer. It is a progressive, compassionate, caring, and enjoyable place to work. We have talented and motivated people, a fantastic culture, and a united sense of direction. Staff feel very positive about their colleagues, and the supportive and caring organisation we have created. They are proud to be supporting students and to work on issues that really make a difference.
Where we are going
Whether it’s sexuality, gender, or any part of identity, we want staff to be able to bring their ‘whole selves’ to work and live authentically. We want to embrace the ever-changing nature of supporting students, whilst also helping staff keep a work life balance. We want to embrace technology and flexibility whilst also maintaining high quality outcomes. We want to be an employer of choice, somewhere people admire, respect, and want to work for.
Purpose of the role
* Leads on the SU’s commercial activity, including the web shop, pop-up retail, graduation events and sponsorship opportunities, supporting the organisation’s financial sustainability.
* Manages and develops the commercial business, improving performance through best practise and effective collaboration with providers and partners.
* Ensures commercial operations meet the needs of students and staff and are supported by efficient operational planning and review processes so that projects and targets are delivered, and resources are managed effectively.
* Leads the planning and logistics needed to ensure all commercial activity is carried out safely and securely.
* Maintains excellent standards of customer service, ensuring partners, customers and colleagues receive clear and timely communication about commercial activity
Main duties and responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy
* Leads the development and implementation of the commercial strategy.
* Supports the development of new income streams.
* Liaises effectively with key stakeholders and act as the main point of contact for SU commercial projects and services.
* Plans commercial development activity and ensure that the services offered by the SU remain relevant to the wants and needs of students.
* Manages the co-ordination of any need for investment to support commercial activity and growth and to prepare business cases for development and investment in a timely and well organised manner.
* Manages and mitigate risks within commercial operations.
Operations delivery and reporting
* Effectively manages the delivery of all commercial activity, including the planning, coordination and delivery of online sales, pop-up retail and partnership agreements.
* Ensures commercial operations comply with relevant regulations and that staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge and training needed for their roles.
* Oversees the development of product ranges, ensuring they reflect seasonal planning and key points in the academic calendar.
* Collaborates with the Marketing and Communications team to plan and deliver activity that builds awareness and engagement.
* Ensures commercial products and services are effectively represented in campaigns and content, supporting both the promotion of the commercial offer and wider organisational objectives.
* Works with the Finance team to ensure robust measurement of commercial activity, including progress against financial targets and key performance indicators.
* Supports a regular business reporting process to provide clear and transparent oversight of commercial performance.
Core responsibilities of G7 positions
* Oversees and provides high level support to Projects and Workstreams e.g. strategic direction/additional resource.
* Manages relevant budgets.
* May line manage related team members.
* Accountable for unit/team/area business plan, leading the business planning process with team.
* Accountable for ensuring relevant KPIs are reported correctly and on time to Board of Trustees.
* Support Student Leadership Team Vice Presidents, taking on a coaching and mentoring role where relevant.
* May be accountable owners of aspects of the organisation risk register.
* Takes a lead in planning, implementation and evaluation of strategic projects and work.
* May Chair or Secretary SLT level Committees e.g. sustainability working group/Appointments Committee.
* Able to interpret and implement policy and governance documents of organisation as well as writing and owning policies related to their role and responsibilities.
* Leads recruitment of Grade 5/6/H6 staff.
* Role models our organisational values at all times, supporting and contributing to a culture of openness, inclusion and ambition
Application
This recruitment is being handled externally via an agency so please send CVs and any questions to Simon @ rtr@theretailtalent.co.uk
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