Lincoln Students Union - Director Of Commercial Services

Lincoln Students Union - Director Of Commercial Services

DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES

THE UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN STUDENTS’ UNION

Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in this important role at Lincoln Students’ Union Trading Ltd. LSUT Ltd is one of four trading companies that operate under the ULSU Group banner. These companies range from providing licensed trading facilities for students and the local community in our Engine Shed, Towers, The Swan and The Barge operations, to providing an estate agency and accreditation scheme as well as two very successful tech companies. Whilst the venues have undergone a challenging 18 months, along with the majority of the entertainments sector, LSUT Ltd is in a strong financial position to bounce back quickly. The profits from these commercial companies are then re-invested into student opportunities and support. With a wide variety of members within the Lincoln community, the different venues offer different entertainment opportunities to try to ensure that everyone can benefit from the opportunities available. The Engine Shed and Platform focus primarily on larger scale events, with the venues able to hold a capacity of 2,500 people. Towers is our sports bar that shows different sporting events from football, golf, all the way to the Superbowl. The Swan Pub offers a friendly environment for students to enjoy and relax either at the end of a long day of lectures or on the weekend. The Barge is our cocktail bar that is permanently moored to the Brayford and offers a different experience for both students and the general public. The journey of our organisation has seen rapid growth in the last eight years until COVID hit. We have been through a very challenging time due to the forced closure of our licensed premises, our second most important income stream. This drop in income resulted in several changes in the organisation as we had to reduce costs to see us through the pandemic. Now that the Country is looking to get back to a new normal, the ULSU Group is looking for a Director of Commercial Services to drive the commercial operations forward, ensuring high quality services are provided to our members and the general public. The Director of Commercial Services will play a pivotal role in providing significant experience and leadership at a Senior Management level with the ability to maximise sales, increase revenue and achieve targeted outcomes.

If you want to work in a dynamic, energetic and fun workplace where every day is different and you make a difference to the lives of other people, then we want to hear from you!

For an informal conversation about this role, please do get in contact at [email protected] to arrange a time to chat.

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James Brooks Group Chief Executive

Our Organisation

Our Vision

A Students’ Union that represents, supports and provides opportunities for Students so they can reach their full potential.

Our Mission

We will be an independent, democratic, membership organisation, working in partnership with the University of Lincoln to ensure that our members’ voices are heard, amplified and acted upon. We will be an important part of shaping and developing our students’ academic, social, sporting and working life by providing services, advice, support and representation to all that need it, so that our students’ can be work-ready when they graduate.

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The ULSU Group The ULSU Group is an independent body and exists to support students in both their academic and non-academic experiences; whilst working closely with the University and local community. Student leaders are elected by the student body and supported by the staff’s expertise to deliver services and represent student needs; to enhance the experience of all students at the University of Lincoln. The ULSU Group is made up of the following companies: University of Lincoln Students Union, Lincoln Students’ Union Trading Ltd, Students Union Management System Ltd, Student Orders Ltd and Lincoln Students’ Union Accommodation services Ltd.

How To apply

Please apply for the role of Director of Commercial Services by sending in a Covering Letter, CV and any additional information to be considered to [email protected] . We are committed to diversity within our organisation and positively encourage applications from all individuals irrespective of their gender, age, home country, ethnic background, sexuality, religious beliefs or disability. As part of our commitment to being an Equal Opportunities Employer, we ask that you complete our monitoring of recruitment form when applying for the role. Closing date for completed applications is 7th February 2022 at midday. It is anticipated that the interview process will take place over a 2-day period of 22nd and 23rd February 2022 and will be conducted face to face in a covid secure manner. If successful at shortlisting stage, candidates will be asked to attend both days of interviews. If you have any queries or if you require any reasonable adjustments to be made throughout the recruitment process, please email [email protected].

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Our Values

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Our Venues

Lincolnsu.com/engineshed

Lincolnsu.com/thebarge

Click Here to View Website

Click Here to View Website

Lincolnshire’s largest live music and entertainment facility, housed in a renovated engine shed, in the heart of the city. The Engine Shed has hosted some of the biggest artists in the industry, you can expect a wide range of events from live music to comedy shows and club nights. We also excel in the booking and running of private hires, conferences and seated dinners. We provide fast efficient service, ensuring we have sufficient staff to meet the needs of our customers, so they can enjoy their experience in the venue. We provide products and experiences that meet the expectations of our customers and enhance their enjoyment of the venue. We deliver excellent customer service and ensure all service providers who work in the venue understand the values of our organisation. We take every precaution to ensure our venue is safe and secure for all our staff and customers. We ensure all our events are professionally planned to provide the best experience for our customers. We are welcoming to all people and make the Engine Shed part of the Lincoln community.

Discover Lincoln’s only on-the-water bar, sitting on the picturesque Brayford Pool. Take in the beautiful views as you enjoy a variety of drinks and snacks, whilst catching up with your friends. The Barge provides an authentic experience, with cosy indoor seating, and a spacious outdoor area, perfect for summertime socialising. Whether you fancy a craft beer, a glass of wine, a cocktail or even a soft drink or coffee, there is something for every occasion. There is also a selection of bar snacks available, ideal for a small bite to eat. The Barge is the perfect location for weekend drinks, small get-togethers, or celebratory parties. Tables and spaces can be hired out, whilst the exciting vibe often encourages those walking by to visit for a spontaneous drink.

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Our Venues

Lincolnsu.com/towers

Lincolnsu.com/theswan

Click Here to View Website

Click Here to View Website

Towers is the perfect spot to grab lunch between lectures, keep up with live sport or start a night out the right way! Our floor-to-ceiling windows create the perfect space to work on a sunny day, showing off a stunning view of the cathedral but also gives us an amazing atmosphere in the evening. Our outdoor space boasts awnings, heaters, TV’s and speakers so you’ll never miss a game! Our menu has lunchtime favourites including freshly prepared wraps, salads, jacket potatoes and sandwiches. There’s a huge vegan selection, as well as breakfast options. Something perfect for everyone – at any time! Share a Chip or Chicken Platter with friends (or conquer one alone – we won’t judge!). Most importantly – don’t forget our 30-minute commitment. If you don’t get your food within 30 minutes – you get your money back! Our bar is stocked for every occasion! Get your hands on a four-pint pitcher of lager to share while the match is on or sample from our huge range of spirits and mixers. There’s deals on bottled beers and ciders, as well as shooters and bombs to share – so why not make a night of it!? Hot drinks are also available all day, to get you through those study sessions! Get yourself to Towers for a game of pool (or two!) or go for the star prize every Thursday at the ever-popular Some Sort of Quiz hosted by Joe and Johnathan. There’s cash to be won! Towers is a home away from home for our sports teams and societies, with bookable spaces and the great food and drinks deals available for groups. Contact us to find out more!

Our cosy pub is located at the heard of the University of Lincoln campus. With our log burning fire, there is plenty of space perfect for meeting friends in the winter months and our balcony, terrace and view of the Brayford Pool is perfect for a drink on those long summer evenings. Our menu boasts all your comfort food favourites including fish and chips, burgers, loaded fries, and handmade pizzas. As well as this, you can start your day right with a cooked breakfast, overnight oats, pancakes and more. Freshly prepared by our chefs, you won’t want to miss our food options – with choices perfect for any time of day. Visiting for a study session with your mates or for an evening to unwind? Our extensive drinks menu has options to suit all occasions. Pick your favourite flavour and add it to a latte, or mix and match cocktails to share – let us cater for you – whatever the occasion! We also have a wide range of draft and bottled beers and cider, as well as deals on drinks to share. Looking for somewhere to while away the hours? Join us to play pool, grab a boardgame from our collection or join us every Sunday for our pub quiz. We are located perfectly for a decompress after lectures or for a group event with your sport of society. Get in touch to find out more about booking spaces for large groups.

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DIRECTOR OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES Full time, permanent, 37 hours per week This is an exciting opportunity for a Director of Commercial Services to join a fast growing, dynamic and award-winning organisation. The University of Lincoln Students’ Union is a not-for-profit, value led organisation which exists to represent the interests of the 17,000 students (members) and support their wider student experience through extracurricular activity. Over the last 8 years, the University of Lincoln Students’ Union has significantly grown in size and operations with 4 established trading subsidiaries diversifying and generating our income which is then reinvested into the extracurricular opportunities we provide to our members. All 5 compa- nies make up the University of Lincoln Students’ Union Group, this pack will provide further infor- mation about the organisation, the role and how to apply. The Director of Commercial Services will be employed by Lincoln Students’ Union Trading Ltd which operates our licensed venues on campus including a nightclub, sports bar, pub and a barge (yes you read that right a Barge!!). With a forecasted annual turnover in 2019/20 prior to the pandemic of circa £4 million, these venues offer members a chance to socialise, meet new people and have fun to enhance their University experience as well as contribute to the growing and thriving Lincoln’s licensed trade sector and local economy.

Finance:

During the pandemic we had to reduce the size of the staff team in line with our financial posi- tion. However, coming out of the pandemic, our Board of Trustees have invested into our trading subsidiaries with the motive of ensuring that they make a return on this investment in the future. Our balance sheet and cash position in now very healthy and we are in a position to invest in our people and infrastructure to develop our already successful portfolio of operations into venues and bars to succeed in a post pandemic world.

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People: The University of Lincoln Students’ Union Group currently employs 83 full time staff across the organisation and 150 student staff who work across our commercial venues. We take pride in our culture and imbed our values in everything we do. Our staff are incredibly passionate, talented and dedicated to achieving our Mission and Vision. We are founded on the principles of being people focused, nurturing talent and developing people within a team centred, vibrant and diverse environment. We value our people very highly and recognise that it is the people that make our organisation successful. As such, we have an extensive training programme as part of our commitment to learning and developing. This role will play a key role in developing and nurturing our staff team to excel at their roles and ensure that engagement remains high.

Our staff team can be found here https://lincolnsu.com/your-union/staff-team .

For more information on our culture and what its really like to work with us here https://lincolnsu.com/vacancies

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Strategy As we enter into a new year, we are embarking on developing a new strategy for the next 3 years. The impact of the pandemic on the education landscape has affected the priorities that members have and we are now looking at how we can innovatively and creatively adapt to the changing needs of the student body. We are developing a framework with 5 key themes which will drive our aspiration of being one of the best and respected Students’ Union in the country. We want our students in Lincoln to love us and recognise that we are there for them and play a key role in their time at University. We want to create memories and experiences for them in the good times, but be there to support and encourage them when their time in Lincoln stumbles.

Representation: We will effectively represent our members to all of our stakeholders.

Support & Advice: We will provide professional, independent, impartial Advice and always act in our members' best interests. Opportunities: We will offer every student an opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities to be involved in something that they enjoy and that enables them to meet new like-minded people and develop communities. Sustainability: We will educate and provide opportunities for our students to live in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way during their time in Lincoln.

Accommodation: We will work with quality landlords to raise the standard of accommodation and renting services for our members in Lincoln.

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About You Applicants will need to have strong track record in financial performance, target attainment and strategic thinking. The Director of Commercial Services will need to have an eye for detail, be analytical in thinking, ambitious in their delivery and execution and have a hands on, can do attitude that motivates and aspires quality. The main campus, Brayford Pool, is where all our commercial venues are based and is a thriving hub of activity. We are extremely proud of the relationship we have with the University, working collaboratively and in partnership with University departments to repre- sent the student body, widen student engagement and provide opportunities for members to reach their full potential as part of the Lincoln community. The University of Lincoln The University of Lincoln opened in 1996 and is a city centre campus home to 17,000 students with the main campus being Brayford Pool. With a new Vice Chancellor and upcoming strategy, the University has ambitious aspirations and has seen significant growth in recent years with a new medical school being opened in 2021 and has estab- lished a reputation for its research and enterprise activity. Ranked among the top 20 universities in the UK for student satisfaction in both the Complete University Guide 2022 and the Guardian University Guide 2022 and named The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2021, the University’s standing within the Higher Education sector has been widely accredited.

If you think this is you, why not join the team.

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Role Description

Job Title: Director of Commercial Services Location: Lincoln Students’ Union Main Site.

Date: January 2022

Reports To: Group Chief Executive

However the postholder will be expected to oversee Towers, Engine Shed, The Swan and the Barge Venues

Department: Commercial Services

Salary: £50k Per Annum , plus benefits including Competitive Salary, Pension and Holiday Allowance + Salary Sacrifice Scheme

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About The Role

To provide strategic leadership for all commercial areas of the Students’ Union and LSUT Trading Limited. To work with staff across the ULSU Group, to provide services and events that reflect student member insight, and imbed a student focus entertainments programme that is engaging and innovative across all venues. To attend Board meetings and prepare reports as required. To advise on short, medium and long term operational developments in line with organisational strategic aims and future planning framework. To ensure that all commercial Venues have effective annual operational, marketing and communication plans for all services and activities. To provide effective leadership and management for change initiatives and new business opportunities and capital developments. To review and recommend new products and services that will widen the scope of commercial services, in order to generate additional sales and profits To be responsible for the performance and line management of direct reports. To act as chair of the Commercial Management Development and Operational Meetings, maximising business development opportunities and delivery of outstanding customer service. To provide leadership, direction and coaching for all direct reports to ensure they work to their full potential. Identify individual training and development needs for direct reports, and assist in their development, providing one to one coaching. To co-ordinate the work and monitor the workloads of direct reports, undertaking performance reviews and management against agreed key performance indicators. Work with the HR department to ensure there are effective recruitment, induction and training development plans for all commercial services.

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About The Role

To ensure that all the commercial services are market-led and able to compete effectively with private sector operations through identification of best practice, benchmarking and monitoring competitors. To ensure the development of comprehensive marketing plans and marketing communication plans for each of the function’s services and outlets, in conjunction with the Head of Marketing and Communications. To ensure that the function’s services are customer focused and responsive to customer demand, by commissioning appropriate programmes of market research from the Marketing function and developing action plans in response to such research. Working with the Group Director of Finance to be responsible for the annual setting, monitoring, and achievement of the Commercial Services revenue and capital budget, and oversee, via delegated budget holders, budgets for each of the core areas within the function. To report on a monthly basis on any significant variances to budgets and appropriate actions to address such as variances with key action plans. To maximise profitability and cash generation through enhancing sales and margins, controlling all costs and stock effectively, and securing and managing major sponsorship contracts. To lead staff in best practice in financial management and to ensure that financial systems are adhered to at all times. To ensure mutually beneficial relationships exist with suppliers and to oversee the function’s contracts.

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About The Role

To establish productive and respectful relationships with elected officers so they may provide student feedback on the customer experience and on service development proposals. To develop effective relationships and partnerships with key contacts within Lincoln University and other Students’ Unions, providing opportunities to identify best practice, benchmark that have a positive impact on students’ lives. To develop effective relationships with statutory stakeholders including the police, licensing and fire service authorities. To develop financial ly beneficial relationships & partnerships with external companies and promoters. To lead on and ensure the overall delivery of service in each of the areas within the Commercial Services function, to exceed the expectations of customers. To create a culture of outstanding customer service, ensuring that staff treat customers in a friendly manner and do everything in their power to exceed customers’ expectations. To ensure that all venues are well-promoted and operating to a high standard, and that all investment and maintenance needs are dealt with appropriately. To deal with customer feedback in a courteous, efficient and timely manner. To ensure that all staff receive training in customer service that genuinely enhances the customer experience.

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About The Role

(In addition, undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.) safety of customers, suppliers, and visitors to premises. Contribute effectively to Senior Management meetings. To act as a mentor to Full Time elected officers to support to them in their role. To ensure all commercial operations are compliant with national and local legal requirements including Health & Safety, licensing, CCTV and food safety regulations, and the organisational internal procedures. To have overall responsibility for all health and safety matters within the function, ensuring that the Health and Safety Policy and appropriate legislation is adhered to, ensuring the health and Work in a manner that reflects the values of the organisation as shown in the ULSU Group constitution and strategic plan, and in line with Union policies and procedures. Promote a positive image of the ULSU Group. Keep abreast of relevant national and local developments and attend conferences, training events and meetings as necessary. Maintain confidentiality in respect of all areas of the job responsibilities and be aware of current policy relating to the >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21

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