Location
EdCity, 1 EdCity Walk, EdCity, London, W12 7TF (hybrid working - office-based three days per week)

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
Circa £80,000 + wellbeing cash plan + pension scheme (LGPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

About the Role
Lead the next chapter of commercial innovation at Lift Schools. Lift Schools is embarking on a major new chapter, expanding our commercial activity to generate sustainable income that fuels our mission. We're searching for an entrepreneurial and strategic Head of Commercial Ventures to build and lead our first commercial strategy, growing innovative ventures that balance financial sustainability with social impact.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering Lift Schools' commercial enterprise strategy. This is a unique opportunity to design, launch and scale commercial initiatives that will directly support our ambition: an excellent education for every child, in every classroom, every day.

As Head of Commercial Ventures, you will:
- Develop and deliver Lift's first commercial enterprise strategy, aligned to our educational mission
- Grow and optimise existing ventures such as estate lettings and apprenticeship provision
- Identify and build new market opportunities - products, services and partnerships across the education and wider sector
- Lead development of business models, pricing strategies, go-to-market plans and commercial governance frameworks
- Establish systems, processes and performance metrics to ensure all commercial ventures are sustainable, ethical, and aligned with our educational purpose

You'll work closely with senior leaders, schools and operational teams to turn ideas into scalable revenue streams, balancing innovation with integrity.

Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives - and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

Our mission:
- We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
- With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
- We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.

How we support you:
- Comprehensive training: bespoke training to help you hone your skills and progress your career.
- Generous benefits: from your pension plan to healthcare and financial support.
- Lifestyle savings: discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and electric vehicle incentives.

The role is due to commence as soon as possible.
Closing date: 19th November 2025, 5 pm
Interview date: 3rd December 2025

Experience
- Strong track record in commercial business development, product design or venture growth
- Proven ability to take a commercial idea from concept to delivery and scale it successfully
- Understanding of commercial governance, risk, and compliance in charitable or educational settings
- Experience generating revenue in purpose-led contexts such as education, consultancy or social enterprise

About you
- Commercially astute, creative, resilient and motivated by impact
- Combines strategic acumen with hands-on delivery and entrepreneurial drive
- Confident and collaborative leader, comfortable influencing senior stakeholders including Trustees, school leaders and partners
- Builds credibility quickly and inspires cross-functional teams to deliver new initiatives
- Committed to ethical and sustainable commercial ventures aligned with educational purpose

Qualifications
No specific qualifications stated, but relevant commercial experience and leadership skills are essential.