Commercial Manager

Our client is currently seeking a Commercial Manager to join their team on a permanent basis. Based in Aberdeen, the role offers a hybrid working arrangement and will require occasional weekend work.

ROLE

• As the Commercial Manager, you will have the opportunity to develop and oversee multiple revenue streams, enhance community engagement, and create a sustainable and thriving destination for the wider local communities across the North East of Scotland. This role is not just about managing the farm; it is about innovating and driving its commercial success.
• We are looking for a dynamic and goal-oriented individual who can bring fresh ideas and strategic thinking to the table. Your expertise in farm-based business development and passion for sustainability and community involvement will be crucial in helping the Farm fulfil its potential.
• This is an innovative opportunity for the right candidate to make a significant impact. You will be at the forefront of transforming the farm into a premier destination, working with a dedicated team and strategic partners to achieve our ambitious goals.
• Transform our clients Farm into a premier destination, developing and overseeing multiple revenue streams, and enhancing community engagement. This role requires a strategic thinker with expertise in farm-based business development and a passion for sustainability and community involvement

Objectives: Establish at least eight revenue streams at the Farm within the first year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a commercial strategy to transform the Farm into a self-sustaining, high-traffic destination.
• Work alongside and in harmony with the care team at the farm, who oversee the trainee programme.
• Identify, secure, and oversee strategic partnerships with established businesses to operate on-site facilities such as a coffee shop, garden centre, gift shop, yoga and wellbeing studio, soft play centre, animal leasing model, cattery business, and educational programs.
• Oversee and ensure agreements are in place with all strategic partners.
• Spearhead marketing and branding initiatives to enhance awareness of the charitable services and drive footfall to the farm.
• Organise and manage key seasonal marketing events such as Easter Egg Trails, Christmas Markets, and Halloween events.
• Manage and ensure the farm shop, which is fully owned by the charity and generates 100% profit for the charity, is a strong profit centre.
• Work within the Sustainability policy to protect and enhance the farm’s natural environment.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications/Training/Education:

Essential:

• Proven experience in commercial management, preferably within a farm or similar environment.
• Strong business development skills with a track record of securing and managing strategic partnerships.
• Excellent marketing and branding skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal senior management oversight.
• Passion for sustainability and community engagement.

Desirable:

• Educated to Secondary A-Level/Highers level or relevant equivalent professional qualification.
• Ability to evidence further development and/or CPD in a relevant discipline.

Experience:

Essential:

• Proven experience in commercial management, preferably within a farm, tourism, rural visitor business or similar environment.
• Strong business development skills with a track record of securing and managing strategic partnerships.
• Excellent marketing and branding skills.
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal senior management oversight.
• Passion for sustainability and community engagement.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in or with not-for-profit sector organisations.
• Experience of working in or with Health and Social Care organisations, or within one of charities core service provision areas.
• Experience of working within a complex organisation.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Salesforce, (url removed).

Key Skills/Aptitudes:

Essential:

• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to engage with people of all levels of seniority.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationships with a wide range of people with different backgrounds and experiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to produce plans, proposals and reports to a very high standard.
• Ability to collate, interpret and present data.
• Excellent project-management and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage a number of, at times, conflicting priorities.
• Ability to communicate clarity of needs and expectations

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of project planning approaches.
• Understanding of working in a high-profile brand, marketing and communications context.

Personal Qualities:

Essential:

• Empathy with the charities vision, mission and values.
• Sensitive and diplomacy in dealing with others
• Able to work with minimum supervision
• Flexible and cooperative
• Driven by working to targets and deadlines
• Team player
• Can work proactively and on own initiative, while remaining an embedded, cooperative team member, committed to team goals.
• Willing to learn new skills
• Resilient
• Attention to detail

Desirable:

• Empathy with the needs of those in the social care system
• Empathy with the working context of all colleagues.

Other Job Requirements:

• Ability to work flexibly
• Subject to a PVG Disclosure Scotland check
• Valid driving license and have own transport