Director of CommercialSalary: Up to £65k
(dependent on experience), plus generous pension scheme, flexible working cultureTerm:
PermanentReports to:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Line management responsibilities:
Head of Partnerships, Head of Conference and Events, Training and Commercial ManagerWe’re looking for an experienced Commercial Director, preferably with experience in training or education, to take our income-generating training and events programmes to the next level and develop new products and services that meet the needs of our growing membership and wider community.The annual RSS conference is going from strength to strength, and our training programme is particularly popular with organisations who want to provide high quality bespoke training for their staff. With the growth in the analysis and visualisation of data across business and industry and the increasing popularity of careers across sectors in statistics, data science and AI, you will also work with wider RSS and our expert members to identify gaps in the market and design new ways to meet needs while also providing a return for the Society that we can invest in our charitable activities.If you’re looking for a new start that involves the opportunity to innovate while providing hands on support to our small team of staff, and have experience in developing strategies and plans and driving business growth, then we’re waiting to hear from you.BackgroundOur vision is a world where data is at the heart of understanding and decision-making.Founded in 1834, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) is one of the world’s leading organisations advocating for the importance of statistics and data. We’re a professional body for all statisticians and data scientists – wherever they may live.We have more than 12,000 individual members in the UK and across the world. As a charity, we advocate for the key role of statistics and data in society, and work to ensure that policy formulation and decision making are informed by evidence for the public good.The membership of the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) constitutes a preeminent source of statistical expertise. Members work with RSS staff to support areas such as policy development, education, training, statistical communication, and statistical literacy.Some of our activities are revenue-generating, including our training programme, conference and events, jobs board and advertising, and venue hire. We also attract sponsorship for some of our high profile activities. The Director of Commercial has responsibilities for setting the strategic direction of our commercial activities, developing new products and services to enable growth, and ensuring that our plans and activities are aligned with our charitable purpose and strategic objectives. They work across the society to ensure that opportunities are effectively marketed and support colleagues to generate the budgeted revenue.Job purposeTo lead the RSS’s commercial activities and develop new products and services that meet the needs of our growing membership and wider community.Key responsibilitiesUnderstanding needs and the changing external environmentDevelop understanding of the preferences and needs of statisticians and data professionals, and others interested in data and statistics, at an individual and organisational level, to evolve our products and services and align our commercial activities to those preferences and needsUndertake research to identify new target markets for commercial products and servicesUndertake research to understand competitors and benchmark RSS products and servicesMonitor and respond to developments and emerging trends in charities, membership organisations and other learned societies, and in statistics/data science/AI to ensure that our commercial offerings remain timely and relevantProvide robust analysis of client behaviours and feedback to inform future planning.Development of strategies and plansDrawing input from across the organisation, develop strategies for sales and marketing across commercial products and services that support the organisation’s objectives, including training and conferences and eventsOversee staff responsible for business development to capitalise on opportunitiesLead the creation and delivery of fully-costed and resourced business plans for commercial products and services that align with key strategic goalsDevise partnership models for different sectorsSupport development of wider strategies and plans across the organisation.Programme management and deliveryDeliver programmes of commercial products and services which meet the needs of target markets including training, advertising, sponsorship and venue hireMonitor and report on progress and performance against targets and plansManage projects, including establishment of new products and services, ensuring that work is delivered to time and qualityWork with colleagues to identify and develop sponsorship opportunities, and support colleagues in sales meetings with potential sponsorsContinually assess and improve processes and oversee the development and maintenance of standard operating proceduresDeliver the revenue budgets for advertising and venue hire and ensure their effective promotion.Regulatory and complianceAct as a Director of RSS (Services) Limited, overseeing its governance and ensuring compliance with relevant rules and legislation.TrainingDevelop the portfolio of training courses, creating and launching new courses in response to user needsExpand the training programme by targeting both statisticians and data professionals and non-professionals and widening our geographic reachEstablish and manage effective systems and processes to develop and deliver all training products, including identifying new training topics and trainers (with input from our statistical membership community)Ensure high standards of quality and customer service by evaluating feedback and managing the quality assurance processEnsure the effective promotion and marketing of training courses.Conferences and eventsOversee the development and operation of the RSS conferences and events programmeLead the conference and events team in the delivery of RSS conferences and events.Interfaces with other teams and groupsConvene and lead cross-RSS groups to develop, share and review plans and activities and identify opportunities for synergy and collaborationWork with heads-of and other teams across the organisation to support related objectivesEnsure effective working relationships are maintained and contractual requirements are met with our trainers, partners, assessors etc. including developing and agreeing terms & conditions (including intellectual property agreements and contracts) with clientsIdentify relevant experts within the RSS membership and engage them in programmes, formalising a network of volunteers and providing support and adviceCollaborate with RSS volunteers, staff and external providers to ensure the delivery of projects and outputs to agreed deadlines Select, lead and manage contractors and third party organisations to support programme deliverables.Leadership and managementLead the Society’s training, business development and events functions, creating high-performing, motivated teamsBring relevant staff together within small teams working across the organization on defined goals that support our objectivesPlay an active role in the RSS Senior Management Team, providing leadership, and strategic insight for the organisational as a whole, and work together effectively in setting and achieving the Society’s goalsOperate as a Director of RSS Services Limited Contribute to decision making regarding the strategic direction and financial management of the SocietyOversee budgets and meet income targets for individual programmes Negotiate with suppliers to deliver value for money Line manage staff.OtherRepresent and promote the Society to relevant external bodies and groupsOther project work or tasks as reasonably required by the Chief Executive or Executive Committee.Person specificationEssentialEducated to degree level or equivalent Senior leadership experienceExperience leading a commercial function and achieving results, preferably within a professional bodySignificant experience developing strategies and plans, preferably within a membership organisationExperience using data and evidence to develop value propositions and align services with needsAbility to make sound commercial decisions and identify commercially viable / profitable projectsStrong market awareness, able to monitor training trends and develop them into opportunitiesExperience of building, developing and maintaining relationships and networks and generating sponsorship Significant experience of programme and project management and operational deliveryExcellent organisational skills and an ability to identify and respond to changing prioritiesAbility to accurately assesses project needs or problems, make sound decisions and develop effective solutionsAbility to plan, organise, prioritise and delegate work to ensure completion to time and budgetExperience of negotiation and influencingAbility to communicate with a wide range of people and structure information and present ideas and concepts clearly and concisely, particularly in written formStrong interpersonal skills; ability to persuade, inspire, influence, achieve results through othersStrong numeracy skills, and the ability to produce, monitor and assess estimates/costs and work within budgetExperience leading and managing staff in a small team and employing flexibility and imagination to achieve short-term and long-term business objectivesExperiencing of tendering for work and managing external contractorsCollaborative team worker – works with colleagues to achieve strategic and operational objectivesAbility to work on own initiative within RSS guidelines/directivesDemonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.DesirableTrack record of devising and delivering (or managing the development and delivery of) training and educational products including content-based, face to face and online Interest in or experience of statistics, research, or other aspects of the Society’s workExperience in education development and innovationFamiliarity with developments within data science, statistics, machine learning, AI and related subject areasUnderstanding of professional membership organisations and learned societies, and their role in the current climateExperience of the not-for-profit sector and working with volunteers.Working for the RSSPension and benefitsOur defined contribution pension scheme can be joined after three months in post. Your contributions of up to 8% of salary will be double matched by the Society (making a maximum contribution by the Society of 16%). A training budget, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and employee assistance programme are also available.LocationThe RSS office is in central London. We offer flexible working arrangements, and this is a hybrid role with on average two days a week working in the office. In person attendance for certain meetings is required (including all staff/team meetings and governance/committee meetings that take place in person). Limited travel within the UK and internationally may be required.Working hours35 per week full-time. Applications for job shares, part-time and flexible working will also be considered.Holidays25 days per annum, plus bank holidays and an additional shut down between Christmas and New Year.ProbationThis post is subject to a six-month probation period.How to apply:Please submit your CV to Holly O'Brien at the email address provided with a supporting statement/letter telling us:Why you should be considered for the role and how it fits with your career plan How your skills and experience align with the responsibilities and person specificationThe deadline for applications is
27 th
February 2025 . We may arrange interviews before the deadline has passed. Any questions about the role should also be directed to Holly. If you are interested in applying but cannot do so until nearer the deadline, please email Holly to register your interest.
