The role

Carlisle Support Services is looking for Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) who will be a key member of the Senior Management Team, accountable for defining and delivering Carlisle Support Services’ commercial strategy to drive sustainable revenue growth, profitability, and market leadership.

The CCO is responsible for aligning commercial activity with strategic growth sectors, embedding a high-performance culture, and ensuring that Carlisle’s ESG proposition is a core differentiator in winning and retaining business.

Your core role will include but not be limited to the following activities:

• Define and lead the company-wide commercial strategy aligned to the Group Strategic Business Plan and Priorities.
• Deliver sustainable revenue growth, margin enhancement, and diversification across sectors in support of the Group Strategic Partnerships Director. 
• Identify and prioritise high-value markets, key accounts, and strategic opportunities.
• Lead long-term pipeline development and conversion strategies.
• Own and optimise the end-to-end sales function, including account management and new business acquisition.
• Establish performance frameworks to improve win rates, pipeline quality, and revenue predictability.
• Integrate sector-led expertise into client propositions.
• Lead, via the Director of Marketing / Bid Management, the bid function, ensuring a best-in-class, structured approach to tendering. 
• Oversee bid governance, qualification rigor, and win strategy development.
• Define and deliver a distinctive, insight-led marketing and brand strategy to support growth objectives. 
• Strengthen Carlisle’s market positioning across core and adjacent sectors.
• Oversee integrated campaigns, communications, digital strategy, and thought leadership.
• Embed ESG as a core pillar of the commercial proposition and client offering. 
• Ensure ESG strategy aligns with business growth, risk management, and client expectations.
• Leverage social value and sustainability outcomes as differentiators in bids and client retention.
• Lead, develop, and align a high-performing, integrated commercial function.
• Provide strategic oversight to senior leaders within Intelligence & Risk, Rail Strategy, and Transport Policing & Security.
• Foster collaboration across operations, finance, and HSQE to ensure joined-up delivery.
• Establish clear commercial KPIs covering pipeline, conversion, revenue, margin, and client retention.
• Provide regular reporting to the CEO and Group Board on commercial performance and risks.
• Ensure consistent governance across bids, pricing, and contract commercial structures.

The ideal candidate

Essential

• Thorough understanding of key service lines including (Security, Cleaning, Hard FM)
• Proven Executive-level experience working as part of a senior leadership team
• Strong track record of delivering revenue growth and improving profitability at scale.
• Experience operating in complex, multi-service or facilities management environments.
• Demonstrable success in leading major bids and securing high-value contracts.
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and stakeholder engagement capability.

Desirable

• Experience of integrating ESG into commercial strategy and propositions.
• Knowledge of regulated sectors and the UK’s critical national infrastructure
• Experience working with public sector and/or complex procurement frameworks.
• Already successfully operating in a large corporate board environment

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership & Vision
• Expert Communication and Presentation skills
• Commercial Acumen & P&L Ownership
• Influencing & Relationship Management
• Innovation & Market Insight
• Performance Management & Delivery Focus
• Collaboration & Cross-functional Leadership

Location is flexible within a triangle of Liverpool to Leeds to Dover (including the Midlands and London (with regular national travel to Carlisle offices and client sites, including frequent overnight stays and evening entertainment commitments). It will be expected that regular attendance will also be required in the company’s Luton HQ. 

Successful candidates will be required to provide original documentation for detailed screening and vetting processes. 

This could include the following: passport / driving licence / utility bill dated in the last 3 months / HMRC letter / original bank statement / original payslip / birth certificate / a valid share code.

About us

Join a growing market-leading brand of support services to work with the UK’s largest brands such as Le Shuttle, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Jaguar Land Rover, Tesco, and many more. 

Carlisle currently employees over 8,500 dedicated and enthusiastic staff members to deliver events, security cleaning, and retail facilities support services across the UK’s most renowned sites and critical infrastructure.

Apply today to find out more and embark on an exciting career journey filled with unrivalled recognition schemes and progression opportunities aimed at helping you achieve your true potential.

The benefits

Salary up to £140,000 dependent upon experience

Bonus Scheme with OTE +£50k

Senior Management Team position reporting directly to CEO

Executive Travel Allowance 

Contributory Pension Scheme

Private Healthcare 

23 days paid holiday increasing to 25 after 2 years

Paid Volunteering days 

Employee Assistance Program

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion 

At Carlisle, we are committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in all areas of employment, recruitment and selection, training, development, and promotion. In all situations people will be judged solely on merit or ability. 

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