"Commercial Manager"

Tuihono UC| UC Online

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Continuing (permanent) position
• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!

He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Commercial Manager? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

At Future Learning & Development (FLD), who lead and operate the Tuihono UC | UC Online suite of products, we have expanded upon the ‘traditional’ mode of university education to create programmes that are accessible and engaging to a new sector of learners. We have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Manager who wants to challenge the status quo and develop new financial models and ways of working that continue to propel the University of Canterbury forward.

While the role eventually oversees the day‑to‑day commercial and financial management of FLD and Tuihono UC | UC Online brand, the Commercial Manager also shapes what that day‑to‑day looked like. Working with the broader leadership team, this role will lead financial strategies appropriate to the growth stage in which we are now thriving. Your commercial guidance will increased the impact and maturity of UC’s digital and online education.

Our Commercial Manager is instrumental in supporting the team to prepare financial models and feasibility studies for new products and proposals. In managing revenue and profit flows from our unit across UC, we rely on this role to champion commercial discussion and understanding across the university—bringing people along on the journey while keeping us focused on the right products and right strategic decisions. This role encourages thoughtful exploration and innovation, while guarding against distractions or “rogue” product ideas that fall outside strategic priorities.

With exceptional stakeholder engagement and a strong business focus, the Commercial Manager will explore and encourage commercialisation pathways and growth strategies. These will build a profitable and sustainable portfolio of courses and programmes that provide education to those that otherwise would not be able to access it. 

Mōu | Who You Are

As the successful candidate, you will have extensive experience in similar senior commercialisation roles with the following skills and experience:

• advanced skills in commercial management, business modelling and/or accounting, particularly in a start-up and growth environment
• the ability to understand and communicate concepts from a wide range of commercial, technological, regulatory, and cultural domains
• change management and championing projects to help others to relate to/align to them
• the ability to effectively communicate the commercial goals of UC (and how they relate to FLD/UC Online) to a broad and diverse stakeholder base
• knowledge of writing strategic and operational plans and reports for business growth
• project management experience
• significant stakeholder and contract management/monitoring experience
• excellent intrapersonal skills in building meaningful, collaborative relationships across all levels of the business.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

Future Learning and Development is a fast-paced business unit that is challenging notions of university education and how it can be delivered. We are developing education for learners that we haven’t traditionally served and are working with employers to create market-driven courses and qualifications that are needed in the market. Our team is filled with people from all walks of life and different professional backgrounds – it is not your usual academic setting. The diverse background that helps fuel the energy in FLD and is what sets us apart. Having forward thinkers and innovators is how we can continue to thrive!

We value social connection and encourage collaboration, if you are someone who enjoys celebrating the wins with the team, you will fit in and be right at home here.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued. 

UC’s Benefits approach is shaped by Ngā Uara | Our Values Whanaungatanga, Tiakitanga, and Manaakitanga. They are designed to be relevant, support and inspire our people, they include:

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development and study opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts including UC RecCentre
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 7 April 2026 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.