Commercial Director

Infection Prevention Society

Hours
32 hours per week

Length of contract
12 month

About the Organisation

Infection Prevention Society (IPS) is a leading professional charity for infection prevention and control in the UK and Ireland. With 2,100 members across health and care professions, we exist to advance education in infection prevention for the benefit of the community. And we're at a pivotal moment.

We've built the foundations – modern infrastructure, professional team working alongside our volunteer leadership, strong governance – and now we're ready to scale our impact. We need someone to help us unlock new opportunities and expand what we can offer our members and the communities they serve. That's where you come in.

About the role

The Commercial Director will develop and deliver revenue-generating activities that secure the financial sustainability of IPS whilst advancing our charitable purpose of promoting education in infection prevention and control. This newly created role will establish commercial capability across training courses, corporate partnerships, event commercialisation, and diversified income streams.

As our first Commercial Director, you'll have the autonomy to establish commercial capability from the ground up. You'll build partnerships with health and care organisations, create revenue streams that strengthen our mission, including leading the development of training courses that reach new audiences: supporting our members to prevent infections and save lives.

This is a unique opportunity to combine commercial expertise with charitable purpose. You'll have the freedom to develop innovative strategies, build partnerships that matter, and create revenue streams that strengthen our capacity to serve our members and prevent infections.

Responsibilities

Corporate Partnership Development:

• Build relationships and partnerships with businesses that have an interest in infection prevention
• Create compelling partnership packages with clear benefits and deliverables
• Ensure all partnerships align with charitable purpose and ethical standards

Training Course Development:

• Lead the design and development of training courses in infection prevention and control topics
• Establish pricing models and revenue targets
• Lead the management of course delivery logistics and quality assurance

Conference and Events Commercialisation:

• Enhance sponsorship opportunities across the annual conference, regional events, and webinars
• Support the events team with commercial planning and sponsor relationship management
• Identify and develop paid webinar series and virtual event opportunities

Diversified Revenue Streams:

• Identify achievable opportunities for new revenue streams that support our charitable objectives

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience Essential:

• Experience managing corporate relationships and securing partnerships in a professional or healthcare context
• Substantial experience in commercial development, business development, and revenue generation. This could be from membership organisations, professional bodies, charities, education/healthcare settings, or from B2B commercial roles with demonstrable transferable skills.
• Proven track record of generating significant revenue through partnerships, sponsorships, or commercial activities, with specific examples and measurable outcomes
• Experience building commercial programmes from the ground up, including developing propositions, pricing strategies, and sales processes
• Demonstrated ability to develop training courses, accredited programmes, and educational products that generate income

Desirable:

• Understanding of infection prevention and control, healthcare, and clinical environments
• Experience working with professional accreditation bodies or CPD frameworks
• Background in membership organisations, professional societies, charity sector
• Established networks in healthcare businesses

Skills & Competencies Essential:

• Strategic thinking and the ability to identify commercial opportunities whilst maintaining a charitable purpose
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills across diverse audiences
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to develop pricing models and financial projections
• Project management capability to deliver multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create compelling proposals and presentations
• Negotiation skills and demonstrable ability to close commercial agreements
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in a home-based role with minimal supervision

Knowledge & Understanding Essential:

• Understanding of commercial principles, including pricing, cost-benefit analysis, and return on investment
• Knowledge of course development, accreditation processes, or professional education markets
• Awareness of the charity sector context, including charitable purpose, ethical considerations, and member sensitivities

Desirable:

• Understanding of NHS structures, healthcare procurement, or clinical professional development pathways
• Knowledge of the medical devices sector, or the healthcare supply chain

Personal Attributes Essential:

• Entrepreneurial mindset with creativity and confidence to build new commercial capabilities
• Results-oriented with a strong drive to achieve revenue targets and measurable outcomes
• Professional integrity and commitment to ethical commercial practices
• Resilient and adaptable, able to manage ambiguity and develop approaches through trial and learning
• Collaborative team player who can work effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Diplomatic and sensitive to member concerns whilst maintaining a commercial focus

Required Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience, Professional qualifications in business development, marketing, or related fields, Evidence of continuing professional development

Compensation & Benefits

Professional Opportunity

• Build something new: Establish commercial capability in a well-established professional society with the ability to develop your own strategies
• Make an impact: Direct contribution to financial sustainability and organisational mission - your work will strengthen our capacity to prevent infections and save lives
• Senior leadership role: Strategic influence and autonomy with CEO mentorship and Board support
• Sector reputation: Work with a respected organisation in an important healthcare field

Work-Life Balance

• Four-day working week: Excellent work-life balance whilst maintaining senior professional role and strategic responsibility
• Meaningful work: Contribute to advancing infection prevention education and protecting public health

Development and Support

• CEO mentorship: Regular support and guidance from an experienced CEO with strategic oversight
• Professional networks: Access to IPS networks, conferences, and the professional community across healthcare sectors
• Strategic input: Opportunity to shape organisational strategy and commercial direction

Remuneration and Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 days after 5 years’ service) plus bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension (Employer contribution of 7%)
• Home working equipment and expenses

Working locations

• Home-based with regular UK travel

How to apply

• Please submit the following using this form.
• Current CV (maximum 3 pages)
  • Covering letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing:
  • Your relevant experience in commercial business development
  • Your track record of revenue generation with specific examples
  • Why are you interested in this role and IPS
  • How your skills match the person specification
• For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Dr Alex Rhys, Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected]

Policies

Infection Prevention Society is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We utilise anonymised shortlisting as part of our commitment to inclusive recruitment practices.

We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates who are underrepresented in our sector and in senior commercial roles. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know, and we will accommodate your needs.

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