Business & Commercial Manager

Vacancy listed
20/08/2026

Details

Job Title: Business & Commercial Manager
Location
:
Working in the Devonport Creative Quarter
Hours
:
Full-time, 35 hours per week to be worked flexibly including evenings & weekends to suit the needs of the business/team
Salary
: £32,000 - £41,000 depending on experience

Real Ideas Group works to solve problems and create opportunities that regenerate communities and support individuals to progress and flourish. We do this through four teams, each with a distinct focus. Pathways, delivering employability support;
Liskeard Library, a library and cultural hub;
Nature and Neighbourhoods, our consultancy service; and the Devonport Creative Cluster, growing the createch sector, creative careers, businesses and opportunities.

The Business & Commercial Manager will manage Real Ideas’ pipeline of commercial sales and corporate partnerships for the Devonport Creative Quarter, including established services such as venue and specialist facilities hire, bespoke productions for the immersive dome and other commercial packages. The focus of the role is income generation, targeting an annual growth rate of 10-15% for established services.

The Business & Commercial Manager will manage the development of services and commercial partnerships in new market areas, creating new revenue opportunities. This includes business development to position the Devonport Creative Quarter as an innovation partner to key sectors, such as defence and marine.

The Business & Commercial Manager will use Real Ideas processes and systems to manage an efficient and effective commercial sales pipeline, maximising lead generation and conversion to sales, ensuring excellent client experience and satisfaction.

The Business & Commercial Manager will work closely with the Head of Creative Enterprise, the Operations, Dome & Events Manager (commercial event logistics), the Creative Tech Manager (commercial production delivery) and Food & Drink Manager (corporate catering).

• Manage commercial enquiries and convert leads to bookings, develop commercial pricing strategy and quotations, handle client liaison and contract negotiation, and coordinate commercial delivery with the Operations, Dome & Events Manager and the Creative Tech Manager.
• Manage corporate client relationships including account management and regular contact, deliver partner benefits and reporting, and represent Real Ideas and the Devonport Creative Quarter in business networks and sector forums including Plymouth Chamber and other industry events.
• Develop and manage corporate partnerships with key sectors, including createch, defence and marine autonomy, prospecting and pitching to potential clients, and negotiating partnership agreements and sponsorship packages to meet agreed annual targets.
• Identify new commercial opportunities and revenue streams, conduct market research and competitor analysis, develop sales materials and proposals, attend conferences and networking events, and track commercial pipeline and conversion rates.
• Manage the commercial sales of hire of Real Ideas’ specialist facilities, such as the Market Hall immersive dome, and develop client relationships to sell bespoke dome production including corporate films and branded content.
• Market and sell commercial sales of conference and corporate events to meet annual income targets and growth rate, working with the Operations, Dome & Events Manager to ensure efficient delivery.
• Market and sell professional training programmes in immersive technologies, business skills and creative industries, ensuring sales, and develop post-training client relationships and repeat business. Develop training…