Head of Commercial Operations

About the role

Permanent; Full time

Closing Date: Monday 31st August 2026 at 12 noon.

Haileybury is seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of Commercial Operations. This senior leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver the School’s commercial strategy. You will maximise the use of our outstanding 500-acre campus and facilities, driving sustainable, non-core income to support the School’s long-term strategic ambitions.

Role

Reporting to the Chief Financial & Operating Officer (CFOO), the Head of Commercial Operations is responsible for leading and promoting the School’s commercial activities, with the primary objective of increasing the School’s financial income.

The Head of Commercial Operations will support the development and implementation of Haileybury’s commercial strategy, focusing on the growth and promotion of the School’s non-core income streams. Working closely alongside the School’s leadership teams, the postholder will establish and nurture long-term, high-value relationships with prestigious external partners. Operationally, the role provides direct line management and performance direction for the Commercial Operations team, the Sports Complex, and the Tennis Centre. Additionally, the successful candidate will actively oversee and optimise major third-party agreements, including the School’s comprehensive catering contract.

The postholder will have significant commercial and operational management experience, excellent leadership skills and a collaborative approach. They will have experience of developing commercial opportunities, managing budgets and contracts, building successful stakeholder relationships and leading teams to deliver high standards of performance. Strong commercial awareness, sound financial acumen and excellent communication skills are essential.

As a senior operational leader, the postholder is expected to provide reports (both written and verbal) to the Schools Governors via the Finance and Commercial Committee.

This is a full-time, 52-week, post and some flexibility in working hours will be required in light of the role and responsibilities it entails.

About Haileybury

Haileybury is a leading co-educational independent school educating over 900 boarding and day pupils aged 11–18. Established in 1862, the School is situated on a glorious, historic 500-acre campus in Hertfordshire, just 20 miles north of London and 35 miles south of Cambridge. Demand for places is strong and pupil numbers have risen significantly in recent years.

Today, Haileybury enjoys an outstanding national and international reputation for academic excellence and all-round education. The ISI Inspection of October 2025 described the School as progressive and ambitious, providing pupils with the very best opportunities for achievement and personal growth. Haileybury’s academic and co-curricular enrichment programmes were considered a ‘significant strength’.

A competitive remuneration package commensurate with the seniority and significance of this position will be offered to the successful candidate. Benefits offered include membership of the Operations staff pension scheme, lunch in the School’s magnificent Dining Hall, and use of the School’s facilities including fitness suite, swimming pool, tennis club, and our Health and Wellbeing Centre.

How to apply

To apply for the above position, please complete the application form in full, with reference to the candidate brief and return it to [email protected] by Monday 31st August 2026 at 12 noon.

Further information and an application form can also be obtained from our website here.

Please be aware that we cannot consider an application unless the application form has been filled in completely, including details of your full employment history.

The School reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date; candidates are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

The School has a diverse pupil body and is committed to its strategy of equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of backgrounds to enrich our collective knowledge and experience. Appointments will be made on merit.

Please see full details of our Privacy Notice for Staff and Recruitment Policy.

Haileybury is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.  Applicants for the above post must be willing to undergo child protection vetting, including reference checks with previous employers, prohibition checks and a criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Candidate Brief

Application Form