Habs has been awarded Independent School of the Year 2025, with Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools receiving both the award for Outstanding Educational Partnerships and the overall top accolade of Independent School of the Year 2025. This national recognition reflects our long-term commitment to social impact and the deep, sustained collaborations we continue to build with our state sector partners. It is an exciting and proud moment to be joining our community.

Shape the future of commercial strategy in one of the UK’s leading independent school groups.

Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools (Habs) brings together two exceptional schools on a vibrant, co-educational campus for ambitious and inquisitive pupils aged 4–18. Known for academic excellence and consistently outstanding outcomes, Habs has received multiple national accolades, including Independent School of the Year – Overall Winner.

We are also on an exciting journey of growth, having recently welcomed Lochinver House School in Potters Bar and St Martin’s School in Northwood into our family of schools. This expansion reflects our long-term vision to build a group of exceptional schools united by ambition, opportunity and impact.

The Opportunity

We are now seeking an outstanding Senior Commercial Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our commercial strategy across the Habs family.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a commercially astute and entrepreneurial leader to make a lasting impact. You will lead the development of a sustainable, forward-thinking commercial model—maximising the potential of our impressive campus, strengthening partnerships, and driving both income generation and cost efficiencies.

Blending strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, this role will suit someone who thrives on turning ideas into action and building something meaningful.

What You’ll Be Doing

Driving Commercial Growth

• Lead and deliver the overarching commercial strategy across Habs
• Expand and strengthen lettings partnerships to generate sustainable income
• Identify and develop new commercial opportunities aligned with our values
• Evaluate business proposals, providing clear, data-driven recommendations
• Monitor performance, ROI, and profitability across commercial activities
• Develop innovative income streams beyond traditional lettings

Procurement & Value Optimisation

• Design and implement robust procurement frameworks and policies
• Manage key supplier relationships across major spend areas (e.g. catering, transport, IT)
• Lead negotiations, contract management, and performance evaluation
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiencies, and shared services across the group
• Stay ahead of market trends to drive innovation and value

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work closely with senior leaders across Finance, Estates, Marketing and Partnerships
• Present insights and recommendations to the HESTL Board
• Line manage and develop the Commercial Manager
• Champion a collaborative, cost-conscious and forward-thinking culture

About You

You are an ambitious and strategic commercial leader who enjoys working both at pace and with purpose. You bring a strong blend of analytical thinking, relationship-building and delivery focus.

We’re particularly interested in candidates who:

• Have significant experience in commercial operations, procurement or project management
• Hold an MCIPS qualification with at least 5 years’ post-qualified experience
• Are highly numerate, with a proven track record of generating income or delivering cost savings
• Think entrepreneurially and can spot opportunities others might miss
• Are confident working with and influencing senior stakeholders
• Bring a structured, solutions-focused approach to complex challenges
• Understand (or are excited to learn about) the independent education sector

What we offer:

• A competitive salary of £60,000 to £70,000 a year, commensurate with the candidate’s experience
• Private Pension Scheme through Aegon with generous employer contributions
• Additional life assurance cover
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), providing confidential support and advice
• Extensive professional development training opportunities
• Discount on school fees for children at any of the Elstree Schools (fee remission set at time of child joining) 
• Free lunch and refreshments
• Free onsite parking and access to travel on the schools extensive coach network
• Free access to state-of-the-art sports facilities including the gym, swimming pool, and fitness classes
• Wellbeing initiatives and programmes, such as yoga, mindfulness sessions, and health checks
• Access to an online GP service, providing quick and convenient healthcare advice
• Access to Vivup, the staff benefits platform, featuring discounts, financial advice, and wellbeing resources
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme and other green travel incentives including Octopus Electric Vehicles

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.