The posting
About the role The Head of Portfolio will set the strategic direction and drive the commercial performance of Jisc's Commercial Infrastructure (CI) portfolio. Leading in a complex and evolving environment, you'll shape profitable, customer-focused propositions, create sustainable commercial models, and bring greater financial rigour, transparency and accountability across the portfolio.
This is a high-impact role for a commercially astute leader who thrives in ambiguity, influences at senior levels, and turns strategy into measurable results. Working closely with Product, Finance, Procurement, Sales and senior stakeholders across Jisc, you'll unlock growth opportunities, improve profitability, and ensure our portfolio delivers value for customers while supporting Jisc's long-term financial sustainability.
What you’ll be doing:
Defining and delivering the commercial strategy for the CI portfolio. Driving revenue growth, profitability and achievement of £20m+ income targets. Developing scalable commercial models, pricing strategies and product propositions. Leading commercial negotiations, supplier partnerships and procurement activity. Identifying opportunities to grow revenue, improve margins and reduce costs. Building strong relationships across Product, Sales, Marketing and Delivery to accelerate commercial success. Creating compelling customer propositions that increase adoption, retention and market growth. Embedding a commercial mindset across teams and improving portfolio governance, performance measurement and decision-making. Influencing senior stakeholders across Jisc to drive transformation and continuous improvement.
What we are looking for:
Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving revenue growth and profitability. Experience leading complex product or service portfolios and developing successful go-to-market strategies. Excellent influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills. The ability to bring clarity, pace and direction in ambiguous environments. A strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach to delivery and execution. Experience balancing customer needs with commercial objectives to achieve sustainable growth.
This is an opportunity to shape the future of a significant technology portfolio, drive meaningful commercial growth, and play a key role in strengthening Jisc's long-term success.
Don’t meet every single requirement? We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they can’t tick every box, so we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the requirements, but you feel this role is perfect for you. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!
Hybrid working: Specific patterns for working in the office are not mandated, and the frequency of time worked in the office is agreed with your manager. Meeting in person is something we value so you may need to travel on occasion to any of our hub offices.
Why work for us? At Jisc, every role is meaningful, and every individual is valued. We foster a culture of continuous learning and personal growth, offering opportunities to develop new skills and make a real impact in education and research. With a strong focus on work-life balance, we embrace flexible working that prioritises outcomes over hours, empowering you to create a rhythm that energises both your professional and personal life.
Our Guiding Principles: Jisc’s culture is powered by our four guiding principles: putting customers first, driving innovation, creating impact, and championing inclusive collaboration to deliver sustainable outcomes and shape a better future.
Discover the amazing benefits we provide! Here’s what you can look forward to:
Flexible work pattern, which can adapt to suit your schedules and personal commitments 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) that includes three closure days over Christmas Buy up to an additional 5 days leave during the flexible benefits window Generous flexible pension schemes A range of wellbeing lifestyle benefits including company paid health care cash plan, mental health first aiders and support A company culture of continuous learning with access to thousands of LinkedIn Learning courses, and lots of resources and opportunities to support your development Financial well-being support including access to preferential loan and savings plans, mortgage advice, will writing tools and support and resources to help you make the most of your money A wide range of discounts and cashback from retailers and big-name high-street stores Family friendly policies including enhanced parental, maternity and paternity and co-parental leave as well as opportunity for career breaks Support your volunteering with up to 3 days volunteer leave
Equity, diversity and inclusion: Jisc believe our people make all the difference in cultivating an inclusive culture that welcomes ideas, encourages innovation, and values belonging.
We work hard to create an equitable experience for our candidates and workforce which embraces all aspects of their identity including race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, trans identities, age, class, disability, neurodivergence, or veteran status.
Application process: Please let us know how we can best accommodate you throughout the recruitment process. We’re committed to making our process accessible and comfortable for everyone - just tell us what works best for you.
Just so you know, we review CVs as soon as we can and aim to provide an update on your application within 4 weeks of receiving it. However, you may hear from us a lot sooner, so please keep an eye out for our emails or calls!
We’re really looking forward to getting to know the real you. While we encourage the use of AI tools to help you get started on your CV or cover letter, we encourage you to review your application before submitting. Make sure it truly reflects your own voice, experiences, and personality.
If you are currently a Jisc employee, please apply through your Dayforce Employee profile.
We have a thorough background screening process that verifies the details you share with us in your CV and your application. Any inaccurate information supplied during the application stages can lead to a job offer being withdrawn.
Sponsorship: Jisc has an active sponsor licence to recruit on a Skilled worker visa basis. Candidates wishing to apply who require sponsorship should determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant Home Office criteria. Jisc does not offer any financial re-imbursement towards the applicant costs, such as re-location, skilled worker visa and dependant costs or the immigration health charge.
No agencies please.
