Head of Commercial

Head of Commercial – Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce

Location: Prestwick (with regular travel around Ayrshire)
Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, permanent
Benefits: 23 days annual leave + 12 public holidays, health plan, pension contribution, and death-in-service benefit

The Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, Scotland’s third-largest chamber, is seeking an ambitious and commercially minded professional to join their team as Head of Commercial. This exciting role is pivotal to the Chamber’s ongoing mission of fostering business growth and economic development in the Ayrshire region. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in revenue generation and B2B relationship management, along with a passion for supporting local businesses.

About Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce
The Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit membership organisation, proudly supporting over 800 businesses through networking, training, events, and advocacy. With a small but dedicated team, the Chamber champions Ayrshire’s economic growth and collaborates with stakeholders regionally and nationally, ensuring members’ voices are heard at both Holyrood and Westminster. As an accredited member of the British and Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Chamber provides members with unique opportunities to connect and grow their businesses locally and globally.

Following recent strategic developments, including a new CEO and an updated membership structure, the Chamber is seeking an experienced Head of Commercial to spearhead revenue initiatives and drive long-term sustainability.

Role Overview
Reporting to the CEO, the Head of Commercial will lead a diverse portfolio of responsibilities, managing key teams across membership, events, training, international trade, marketing, and partnerships. This role will work closely with the CEO to drive ambitious targets, implement strategic deliverables, and cultivate a thriving, collaborative work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to drive revenue, including identifying new revenue streams and enhancing current services for members.
• Membership Engagement: Strengthen member relationships and meet membership and revenue targets, while continuously refining the membership strategy.
• Events & Training: Support the creation of an appealing and high-quality programme of events and training for members.
• International Trade & Marketing: Oversee effective and profitable trade services and ensure marketing efforts align with departmental goals.
• Revenue Generation: Identify and deliver profitable contracts and partnerships that align with the Chamber’s skill sets and growth objectives.
• External Partnerships: Forge new partnerships to extend the Chamber’s reach and engage with non-members across sectors.
• Line Management: Lead and develop the membership, events, training, international trade, and marketing teams, ensuring a supportive and high-performance environment.

About You
This role demands an individual with a proven track record in the private sector, particularly in commercial revenue growth, sales, and B2B relationship management. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of budget management and the ability to drive results through effective partnerships and collaboration.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated success in sales, meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
• Proven experience in account management, relationship management, and strategic report preparation for senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of the Ayrshire business landscape, coupled with commercial acumen and the ability to inspire teams.

Desirable Skills and Attributes

• Business-related qualification or comparable professional experience.
• Familiarity with budgets and P&L management.
• Experience leading a team and working with public and third-sector organisations.
• Excellent planning, time management, and communication skills.
• A proactive, driven individual with strong networking skills and the capacity to work autonomously.

Additional Information
The Head of Commercial will occasionally attend Board Meetings and may be expected to attend events and meetings outside of standard working hours.

This role is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to join a respected organisation and contribute to Ayrshire’s vibrant business community. If you’re passionate about business growth, have a strategic mindset, and want to make a real impact, we encourage you to apply.

To Apply: Submit your CV via this advert to the retained recruitment partner Barry Lee of Pertemps Network Group. Please note that all direct and 3rd party applications will be passed to Pertemps for inclusion in the shortlisting process.