Assistant Commercial Manager

About the Role

We’re looking for a driven, commercially focused Assistant Commercial Manager to join the team at Sandcastle Waterpark.

This is a hands‑on leadership role with a strong focus on Admissions, Guest Services, Group Bookings and commercial performance, alongside supporting the wider commercial operation across Food & Beverage, Retail and third‑party partners.

Working closely with the Commercial Manager, you’ll help maximise both primary and secondary revenue, ensuring we make the most of every commercial opportunity throughout the guest journey – from the point a guest chooses their ticket, through to their experience within the Waterpark.

A key part of the role will be leading our busy Admissions and Guest Services teams, developing ticket packages and upsell opportunities, managing group bookings, and using performance data to continually improve conversion, yield and revenue.

You’ll need to be comfortable leading from the front in a busy visitor attraction environment, balancing outstanding guest service with a strong commercial mindset.

• Lead and support the day‑to‑day operation of our busy Admissions team, ensuring an efficient and welcoming guest arrival experience.
• Drive primary ticket sales performance, identifying opportunities to increase revenue, conversion and yield.
• Develop and expand ticket packages, upgrades and add‑ons to increase value for both the guest and the business.
• Identify and implement effective upselling opportunities throughout the booking and admissions journey.
• Monitor ticket performance, sales trends, booking patterns and guest behaviour to identify commercial opportunities.
• Support the development and implementation of pricing, promotions and ticketing strategies.
• Work confidently with ticketing and admissions systems; experience with Accesso or similar ticketing platforms would be a strong advantage.
• Work alongside Marketing and other departments to ensure ticket products, promotions and packages are commercially effective and operationally deliverable.

• Support and develop the Group Bookings operation, ensuring enquiries are converted into confirmed bookings wherever possible.
• Manage the guest journey for groups from initial enquiry through to arrival and post‑visit follow‑up.
• Identify opportunities to grow group business, packages and additional revenue.
• Lead and develop the Guest Services team, ensuring consistently high standards of service.
• Support the management of guest enquiries, feedback and complaints, resolving issues confidently and professionally.
• Ensure Guest Services remains commercially aware, identifying appropriate opportunities for upgrades, additional products and future visits.
• Build strong relationships with group organisers, schools, organisations and other key customers.

• Support the daily commercial operation across Admissions, Guest Services, Food & Beverage, Retail and third‑party partners.
• Maximise revenue across both primary and secondary spend.
• Drive performance through effective pricing, promotions, packages, upselling and product development.
• Monitor key commercial metrics including revenue, yield, spend per head, conversion and secondary spend.
• Use data and insight to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement.
• Support cost control across labour, cost of sales and operational expenditure.
• Work with third‑party partners to maximise commercial opportunities and guest experience.

• Take ownership of daily commercial performance and service delivery.
• Lead from the front during busy periods, supporting teams where needed.
• Act as Incident Manager when required.
• Ensure all commercial areas are guest‑focused, fully operational and presented to a high standard.
• Resolve operational challenges quickly and effectively.
• Make confident decisions in a fast‑paced visitor attraction environment.
• Lead, coach and develop the Admissions and Guest Services teams while supporting leadership across the wider Commercial department.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and retention.
• Set clear expectations and hold teams…