Director, Commercial Delivery (Maternity Cover) – Association (Financial Sector)

The Opportunity
We are partnering with a leading UK financial services membership body to appoint a Director of Commercial Delivery on a 13-month maternity cover.

This is a high-profile, strategic leadership role overseeing a significant commercial portfolio spanning Events, Training, and Commercial Partnerships—with responsibility for both member value and sustainable revenue delivery.  The experience and expertise to understand and manage the needs of both is a key element of the role.

You will step into a well-established, high-performing function, inheriting a strong team, a defined events programme, and an engaged membership base. The focus is on strategic leadership, direction, and momentum rather than wholesale transformation, with a keen eye throughout on driving strategy, commercial potential, alongside a nuanced understanding of member values and needs.

The Role
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead a team of c.18 through three experienced Heads of Department (Events, Training, Commercial Partnerships). This is a “leader of leaders” role — providing strategic oversight and drive, team support and escalation across a fast-paced, multi-channel commercial function.  A key part of your role is it’s interrelation to other senior Directors and teams within the organisation (eg marketing, policy, membership etc).

Key aspects include:

• Leading delivery and commercial success across a large-scale portfolio of events, training programmes, and commercial partnerships
• Maintaining and evolving commercial performance, with a clear focus on balancing revenue generation and member value – with an eye to developing and enhancing commercial relationships and opportunities further
• Acting as a senior level support and escalation point for the team, problem-solving and unblocking delivery challenges
• Owning budgets, pricing, and resource planning across the function
• Strengthening key relationships internally and externally (Directors, members, partners, potential partners, suppliers) – working successfully to drive strategy in partnership with varied internal teams/departments
• Supporting ongoing evolution across areas such as commercial sponsorship, partnerships, and interdepartmental processes and effectiveness (eg marketing)
• Working closely with senior leadership to drive alignment and execution

The Context

• Established team of 18 with strong engagement and experienced leadership beneath
• High-performing environment—pacey, complex, and collaborative
• A role that requires gravitas, judgement, and the ability to take a holistic view

This is not a pure “build” role—success will come from stability, leadership, and targeted enhancement rather than transformation.

About You
We are looking for a credible, commercially minded leader with:

• Experience in a senior leadership position within membership organisations, ideally financial services sector background, or adjacent sectors
• Exposure to events, professional training/learning, commercial partnerships (strength across at least two areas, but ideally all)

• Able to take an holistic view, balancing commercial focus, and member values
• Demonstrable experience of collaborating in knowledge-focused/policy-led organisations
• Demonstrable experience of managing substantial cost and revenue budgets
• Demonstrable experience of influencing and negotiating at senior levels
• A strong track record of product innovation and maximising commercial opportunities
• Experience of leading, inspiring and developing high performing teams—comfortable leading through Heads of Department
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach with a creative eye and the ability to operate at pace

You will bring the judgement to balance commercial delivery with member value, recognising that while revenue is critical, it sits alongside a broader organisational purpose.

Why This Role?

• Visible, impactful leadership role within a hugely respected, highly visible and impactful industry body
• Opportunity to lead an engaged, high-performing team
• Broad remit across multiple commercial channels
• The chance to make a meaningful impact during a key period
• Excellent remuneration and benefits
• Hybrid working – 2-3 days in London office
• An exciting opportunity working in a highly engaged environment with a great team

Sound of interest?  If so please get in touch NOW by clicking APPLY as they are keen to find the right person asap ... this is a an excellent opportunity to bring your expertise, relationship and leadership skills to an exceptional organisation and team.