Job Title

Commercial Operations ManagerReference: NOV20257237Location: Sherwood and Budby SouthContract: PermanentHours: Full-Time,37.5 hours per week. This role will include weekend and bank holiday workingSalary: £33,027.00 - £35,259.00 Per AnnumBenefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual LeaveAre you a strong and engaging leader? Are you energetic, positive and solution-focussed? If you've answered yes to these questions, we want to hear from you.Sherwood Forest is one of the UK’s most iconic destinations and a name recognised all over the world. Sherwood Forest & Budby South Forest is an ancient landscape alive with nature, history and folklore. Today it is a magical destination visited by people from across the globe, home to the enduring legend of Robin Hood and the famous Major Oak. It’s a diverse and complex site with exceptional prospects for growth and development.We're looking for an enthusiastic and forward-thinking business leader with interpersonal and communication skills to lead, develop and help set direction for the commercial operations of the RSPB’s Sherwood Forest & Budby South Forest reserve. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in leading and motivating teams, in areas such as retail, catering, visitor experience, and the necessary expertise to achieve income growth targets.Supported by the Senior Site Manager, the Commercial Operations Manager will lead the development, integration and delivery of all visitor-facing and commercial elements on reserve, creating an exemplar visitor experience that maximises support for nature and profitability.As part of this role you will: Lead, mentor, and motivate cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration and motivate employees to excel and deliver outstanding customer service and visitor experiences.Ensure operational efficiency, streamlining processes as well as overseeing and implementing best practices in visitor operations.Manage profitability by monitoring and analysing sales performance across retail, food and beverage, and visitor experience; implementing initiatives to maximise revenue and profitability.Work with the central and finance teams to prepare and manage budgets for all commercial operations, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded.Collaborate with multiple departments to develop and implement promotional plans that drive foot traffic and sales.Identify trends, competitor activities, and customer preferences; utilise insights to drive business decisions.Understand the customer journey and continuously seek ways to enhance visitor experience.Adapt to changing market conditions and innovate in response to customer demands, essential for sustained success.Establish and maintain strong relationships with external partners to ensure quality services.Essential skills, knowledge and experience:Knowledge and understanding of the key elements of running a profitable commercial operation.Experience of managing a successful profitable commercial operation within the visitor attraction sector, delivering an exemplar visitor or customer service experience.Leadership skills and experience of forming and leading a team of staff and volunteers to achieve success.Verbal and written communications skills with an ability to produce clear communications relevant to the role, audience and circumstance.Strong analytical skills necessary to interpret data and derive actionable insights.Relationship management skills with an ability to successfully engage, advise, influence and motivate as the role requires.Ability to manage and respond to customer needs and feedback.Proven track record of setting and achieving agreed targets and KPI’s for income generation.Competence in the full range of Microsoft 365 software.Basic food hygiene qualification.Ability to maximise local deliveryDesirable skills, knowledge and experience:Experience of working within a visitor attraction or charity.Experience of working within a multi-site operation.A range of marketing skills, such as marketing planning, content creation, data analytics, search engine optimisation, communication planning and picture editing.Closing date: 23:59, Mon, 22nd Dec 2025We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from w/c 12th January 2026Interested?If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website.As part of this application process, you will be asked to submit a CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.No agencies please.