Commercial Director

The V&A is a long-established leader in the sector, within the UK and overseas, in terms of commercial success behind our ticketed exhibitions programme, on-site retail experience, publishing, brand licensing, and of course membership which has developed into our most valuable commercial asset over the last 10 years. Together with other income-generating activities, such as on-line shopping, the V&A Academy and corporate hire, our commercial operations generate some £35m each year, giving us a robust platform on which to build as we expand the family of V&A museums over the next 2 years.   

With our audiences returning to close to pre-pandemic levels, an ambitious and diverse public programme, a transformed experience just launched at Young V&A in Bethnal Green, and the opening of two new sites in the Olympic Park as part of the Mayor of London’s East Bank development, there is huge cause for optimism and considerable opportunity to build our commercial contributions to support the V&A’s work. This newly defined commercial Director position will be a pivotal and hugely influential role as the V&A expands.  

The role, and the new division we have created around it, is tasked with developing and delivering an ambitious strategy for sustainable commercial growth, as a fundamental part of the overall V&A experience and brand position, and to underpin the museum group’s future financial sustainability. For the first time it brings together the V&A’s key income-generating areas of retail, exhibition ticket sales, publishing sales, omnichannel/e-commerce, catering contracts, membership, V&A Academy – and a completely integrated front of house operation – into a single division entirely focussed on the V&A’s business to consumer experience across our family of museums.  

In addition, as a member of the V&A’s Executive Board, the new Commercial Director will be an essential member of the leadership team, acting collaboratively with peers to drive forward the wider V&A organisational strategy, delivering our mission to champion design and creativity, in all its forms, for everyone.  

The ideal candidate will bring an impressive track record in leading and delivering commercial businesses and propositions, ideally working with traditional and iconic ‘bricks and mortar’ brands as they expand their omnichannel capability. An entrepreneurial mindset, with experience in digital innovation, our new Commercial Director will need to demonstrate a proven ability to drive income and develop new opportunities and partnerships, in a way which complements and enhances the overall V&A brand strategy and experience.  

Further information on this opportunity can be found here. For a confidential conversation, please contact our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley: 

Alberto Lidji on +44(0) 7743 927 988; alberto.lidji@andersonquigley.com
Elyse Turner-Pearce on +44(0)7808 648 559; elyse@andersonquigley.com