Commercial Operations and Partnerships Lead

• Vacancy Type
• Permanent/Full Time
• Location
• Upper Dicker, BN27 3QH
• School
• Senior School
• Application Deadline
• Friday, April 24, 2026
• Job Summary

• Are you a commercially minded leader with a passion for driving revenue and building community impact? Bede’s is seeking a

  Commercial Operations & Partnerships Leadto play a pivotal role in our ambitious growth strategy

  This is a dynamic, revenue-first position responsible for the strategic oversight of our Residential Programmes, Swim School, Holiday Club, and External Lets. You will be tasked with monetising our world-class facilities during non-school hours (our Dual Use strategy), ensuring we achieve profitable growth while supporting the Trust’s educational mission.

  Key Responsibilities
  • Commercial Growth:Drive a minimum 5% year-on-year growth in contribution margin across all portfolios.
  • Operational Management:Provide strategic oversight for the Swim School and Holiday Club, including direct line management of key staff.
  • Financial Rigour:Manage commercial expenditure with a target budget variance of less than 5% and conduct ROI-focused feasibility studies for new initiatives.
  • Partnership Development:Identify and vet new business leads, securing at least one major strategic partnership annually that drives revenue or pupil recruitment.
  • Community & Brand:Quantify the Trust’s community impact and lead PR efforts to secure media features highlighting our community-focused activities.
  • Lead Generation:Utilise commercial activities (like Holiday Clubs) as a pipeline for school recruitment, aiming for a 5% conversion rate on inquiries.
  The Ideal Candidate

  We are looking for an entrepreneurial, proactive individual who balances financial literacy with exceptional interpersonal skills. You should possess:

  • Commercial Acumen:The ability to assess project viability.
  • Leadership Experience:Experience managing people, budgets, and resources
  • Strategic Thinking:The ability to implement 3-year business plans and adapt to a fast-paced, changing environment.
  • Communication Excellence:High-level PR and customer service skills to manage relationships with agents, host schools, and stakeholders.
  • Commitment to Excellence:A meticulous approach to safeguarding and health and safety compliance.
  Requirements
  • Essential:Entrepreneurial mindset, strong financial/marketing skills, and experience managing people/budgets.
  • Desirable:Experience in developing strategic plans and a background in events or facilities management.
  • Location:Based at Bede’s Trust, with the flexibility to work across various sites throughout Sussex. This role does not offer remote work.

  This is a Full Time, Permanent position, working Monday - Friday, with some flexibility to work weekends as required, 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

  Offering an attractive salary of: £32,000 - £35,000

  (Dependent on experience)along with a range of staff benefits including:

  • A fantastic holiday allowance of 30 days plus bank holidays (full time equivalent)

  • A generous company pension with salary exchange options

  • Employee Assistance Programme

  • Retail Discounts

  • Electric Vehicle Scheme

  • Aviva Digital GP app - swift and convenient access to a GP via video consultation

  • Free use of School gym & pool facilities/discounted nationwide gym membership,

  • Eye care vouchers,

  • Refer a Friend Scheme

  • Beneficiary Nominations (Death in Service),

  • Complimentary Lunch provided

  • Free onsite parking at the Senior School.

  We welcome applications from all sectors of the community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our community. We consider the most important factor to be the right skills, abilities and attitude for the job which will ultimately improve the well-being and education of the pupils.

  For further information about the role please see the Job Description below. Select Apply Now to complete your application today! We very much look forward to receiving applications from candidates who are ready to leave a lasting impact on the lives of our young learners.

  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact

  recruitment@bedes.org.Please note that we are unable to accept CV’s, applicants must add their full education and employment history to their application.Application Closing Date:Friday 24th April 2026 at 8am.Bede’s Trust is committed to building a truly inclusive school and cultivating a culture of equality, diversity and kindness. We believe that a diverse staff body reflects and supports the diversity of our students and wider society. We are an equal opportunity employer and in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expressions, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.Bede’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check
• Job Profile
• Job Profile document