Head of Commercial Services
| Company: | inploi |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | Trafford, M32 0TH |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 7 Aug 2026 |
| Closing date: | 6 Sept 2026 |
Summary
Working Pattern: 36.25 hour / full time
Interview Date/Type: In person week commending 19 October 2026
SMART Working: We aim to offer flexibility wherever possible. Many of our colleagues work from home one or more days a week and/or adjust their hours. We call this SMART working - giving you the freedom to shape your working pattern around your life, whilst still delivering great outcomes. Speak with the hiring manager about the range of flexible working options available for this role.
Shape the Future of Commercial Services in One of Greater Manchester's Most Ambitious Councils
Trafford is a borough with bold ambitions, thriving communities, successful businesses, outstanding schools and a strong sense of place. It combines opportunity and innovation with a deep commitment to public service.
We're now looking for an exceptional commercial leader to help shape the future of Trafford's traded services offer. This is a rare opportunity to build on strong foundations, lead meaningful change and strengthen sustainable, customer-focused services for schools, education settings and communities. The role will also support income generation, customer retention and the long-term commercial resilience of Trafford’s traded services offer.
About the Role
Leading a portfolio centred on catering and cleaning services for schools and education settings, you will develop and deliver a clear commercial strategy that strengthens existing services, identifies opportunities for growth and supports long-term sustainability. This will include developing competitive pricing strategies and trading models that are financially sustainable and aligned to Trafford’s priorities.
You'll work closely with schools, academy trusts, senior leaders, elected members and partners to shape future delivery models, improve performance and keep services responsive to customer needs. You will provide clear advice and assurance to senior stakeholders, helping them make informed decisions about future commercial direction.
Trafford's education sector is one of its greatest strengths, with long-established relationships across schools and education settings. This offers the change to influence services that are integral to that ecosystem, creating high-quality services that support children, young people and communities.
You will bring evidence, insight and clarity to decision-making, developing robust financial and performance frameworks, using market intelligence and performance data to inform choices about growth, innovation and investment. You will also strengthen frameworks for pricing, governance, bids and future business development.
About You
Trafford has strong foundations, loyal customers and committed teams. It now needs a leader who can bring commercial insight, strategic direction and the confidence to turn ambition into delivery.
You'll be a commercially credible leader who brings clarity to complex challenges and looks beyond day-to-day delivery. You will have a strong track record of balancing commercial opportunity with public service values, growing income or developing business opportunities in a customer-focused environment. You'll be comfortable assessing markets, using financial and performance information, identifying where services can grow or change, and supporting informed decisions about long-term sustainability.
You'll recognise that these services are about more than income generation. Catering and cleaning services play an important role in Trafford's education ecosystem and are valued by schools. You'll protect those relationships while bringing the challenge, insight and commercial discipline needed to keep services competitive, financially resilient and fit for the future.
This is an opportunity to join a service at a defining point in its journey, combining commercial thinking, stakeholder engagement and purposeful leadership to deliver genuine impact.
Find out more at www.ourtraffordourfuture.co.uk or contact our retained advisors at Tile Hill for a confidential discussion:
Helen Alwell helen.alwell@tile-hill.co.uk 07931 543313
Anita Denton anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk 07725 554802
About us...
Trafford is a vibrant, inclusive borough at the heart of Greater Manchester. Home to 235,000 residents, four thriving town centres, over 11,000 businesses, and 60+ parks and green spaces. We’re a place where community and opportunity meet. With excellent transport links, a proud heritage as the birthplace of the NHS, world-class sporting venues and outstanding schools, Trafford is a fantastic place to live, work, and thrive.
Why Trafford?
We’re more than just a local authority; we’re a team of passionate people committed to making a real difference. We deliver essential services that matter, from education and social care to business support, licensing, libraries and leisure and much more. No matter what your role is with us, you will help us to create a borough where all our “residents, businesses and communities thrive.”
Our Culture...
Our values are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just words on a wall, they shape how we work together, make decisions, and support each other every day.
They help us create a workplace where everyone feels valued, heard, and inspired to do their best. If you share these values and want your work to have real purpose and impact, Trafford is the perfect place to grow your career.
What you'll love about working with us...
Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance:
- Generous Leave: Start with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), with options to carry over or buy extra days.
- Flexible Perks: Discounts on car leasing, cycle to work, home tech, plus family friendly policies and hybrid working
- Invest in your future: Join our generous Local Government Pension Scheme for peace of mind.
- Grow with us: We'll support your development at every stage! Through leadership programmes like our EPIC Manager, LEAP into leadership and senior leadership. Plus, you'll have access to specialist qualifications and personal coaching to unlock your full potential.
- Wellbeing First: Guided wellbeing walks and “Tea and Talk” sessions, and events like World Mental Health and National Fitness Day.
- Connect with us: Connect with colleagues through our staff forums or join our Let’s Talk events to network, share ideas, and hear about the exciting work happening across our council.
- Be Celebrated: For all your hard work, ideas and contributions through at our annual Time to Shine event, our cheers for peers’ scheme or through our EPIC Star Awards.
Key Information...
- Pre-Employment Checks: If offered a role, as a minimum we’ll need to verify your right to work in the UK, receive two satisfactory references, and medical check. Some roles may also require a DBS check and/or police vetting, which will be noted on the role profile.
- Please note: We are not a licensed sponsor and will not be able to support with your work visa.
- Privacy Notice: We respect your privacy. For details on how we collect, process, and protect your data, please click here: Recruitment and employment privacy notice | Trafford Council privacy notice | Trafford Council
Make an Impact. Apply Today....
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team shaping a better Trafford for our residents, businesses and communities then we'd love to receive an application from you.
We want everyone to feel confident and supported throughout our recruitment process. If you need any help, adjustments or support at any stage, please get in touch with us at recruitment@trafford.gov.uk
After reviewing the role profile and submitting your application, successful candidates will be invited to a values-based interview to learn more about your skills and experience. This is your opportunity to show how you connect with our EPIC values and can contribute to our vision.