Company Description
West Horsley Place is an extraordinary historic house and estate in the heart of Surrey; with 400 acres of woodland and grazing, historic gardens and outbuildings and at the heart of the estate, a 15th century manor house. We have a joint mission: to conserve and protect the heritage in our care, and to enrich people’s lives through culture, heritage and nature. We do that by offering an ever-growing public programme centred on arts and nature, giving people the freedom to explore and discover, to create stories and become part of ours.
Role purpose
The Commercial Income Lead is a senior, entrepreneurial role responsible for shaping, growing and diversifying West Horsley Place’s commercial income.
This is a highly proactive position for a self-starter who thrives on identifying opportunity, creating new sales channels and turning ideas into deliverable, income-generating activity. The post holder will develop and lead commercial strategy while remaining closely involved in hands-on sales, client management and on-site delivery.
The role oversees a broad portfolio including corporate venue hire, filming and photography, third-party commercial activity and estate partnerships. It also provides strategic oversight of weddings and private events, line-managing the Weddings & Private Events Coordinator who leads day-to-day sales and delivery in that area.
Key responsibilities
Commercial leadership & strategy
- Develop and lead a clear commercial income strategy, aligned with the Trust’s charitable purpose and long-term sustainability.
- Identify, test and launch new sales channels, commercial products and partnerships, taking ideas from concept to implementation.
- Drive income growth by improving yield, diversifying offer and unlocking under-utilised assets across the house and estate.
- Monitor market trends and competitor activity, using insight to evolve pricing, positioning and proposition.
Sales & business development
- Personally lead sales activity for corporate hire, filming/location hire and other non-wedding commercial use.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, agents, production companies and partners to generate repeat business and referrals.
- Represent West Horsley Place confidently in commercial negotiations and external relationships.
Planning & delivery
- Act as commercial lead for the planning and on-site delivery of non-wedding hires and events.
- Ensure high standards of delivery, client experience, risk management and operational coordination.
- Work closely with colleagues, contractors and tenants to ensure smooth delivery with minimal impact on public activity.
- Review performance and delivery post-event, embedding learning and continuous improvement.
Filming, traders & partnerships
- Serve as principal contact for filming and location hire, including management of the relationship with the location agency.
- Oversee relationships with regular and seasonal traders and third-party hirers.
- Identify, negotiate and secure commercial partnerships and estate-based opportunities that align with the Trust’s values and character.
Weddings & private events – strategic oversight
- Provide strategic oversight of weddings and private events to ensure alignment with wider commercial objectives.
- Line-manage the Weddings & Private Events Coordinator, setting priorities, supporting development and monitoring performance.
- Enable cross-support between weddings and other events where appropriate, while protecting the coordinator’s primary focus on wedding sales and delivery.
Organisational contribution
- Contribute to Trust-wide planning, commercial thinking and income development.
- Support Trust-led events and fundraising activity as required.
- Champion continuous improvement, new ways of working and a confident commercial culture.
- Undertake other reasonable duties as required.