Commercial Officer

KBS Maritime Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading joint venture in Defence Services is seeking a Commercial Officer at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth. The successful candidate will manage contractual obligations, support project delivery, and guide teams on compliance. Ideal applicants will have a degree or relevant experience, along with professional certifications. This position offers a competitive salary, a substantial benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Enhanced pension scheme

Life assurance

Access to internal benefits and discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Group income protection

Flexible parental benefits

Career development opportunities

Kudos reward opportunities

Occupational Health & Wellbeing Services

50% off entry into the Historic Dockyard

Qualifications

• Understanding of UK Defence Industry Terms and Conditions.
• Ability to navigate contractual frameworks.
• Hands-on experience in contract management.

Responsibilities

• Support the Commercial Manager in securing funding.
• Prepare proposals and develop Task Approval Forms.
• Monitor contract performance against KPIs.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen

Financial awareness

Interpersonal skills

Organisational capabilities

Communication skills

Education

Degree in engineering, law, or business

Professional certifications (WCC/IACCM Foundation or CIPS)

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Commercial Officer

Location: HM Naval Base, Portsmouth (HMNBP)

Service Area: Projects - Infrastructure

Hours of Work: 37 Per week

What You'll be doing

An exciting opportunity for a Commercial Officer to join the KBS Commercial team has arisen, working in a collaborative and partnership-driven environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the efficient contracting and delivery of Infrastructure Projects, ensuring the successful delivery of prime contract obligations to the Ministry of Defence at Portsmouth Naval Base. Acting as a commercial advisor, the officer will provide guidance to colleagues and delivery teams, helping them understand contractual obligations and ensuring compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include supporting the Commercial Manager in securing funding, preparing proposals, and developing Task Approval Forms (TAFs) for submission to the MoD.

The role involves proactive management of tasks requiring customer approval, monitoring contract performance against KPIs, and overseeing change requests and contract administration from both the MoD and Suppliers. Additionally, the role supports cross-functional coordination, data collation for informed decision-making, and participation in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance commercial processes.

You'll Have

The ideal candidate will understand the commercial role within a Defence Infrastructure environment. A understanding of UK Defence Industry Terms and Conditions is beneficial, to support navigation of contractual frameworks and obligations.

Candidates should be educated to degree level or have subsequent experience in a relevant discipline such as engineering, law, or business. Professional certifications such as WCC/IACCM Foundation or CIPS are desirable, reflecting a commitment to commercial excellence and industry best practice. These qualifications, combined with hands-on experience, will support effective contract management and stakeholder engagement across a complex and high-profile operational setting.

About you

You\'ll be able to demonstrate strong commercial acumen and financial awareness, with a understanding of UK Defence terms and conditions, including DEFCONs. You\'ll also be confident working both independently and as part of a wider team, bringing excellent interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and build effective working relationships across functions.

Exceptional communication skills—both verbal and written—are essential, including the ability to influence, produce clear reports, and deliver engaging presentations. Strong organisational capabilities will support effective time and task management, while a proactive, can-do attitude will ensure challenges are met with energy, resilience, and a focus on delivering results.

You'll get

• A competitive salary
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Access to our internal benefits and discounts programme for all colleagues
• Cycle to work scheme
• Group income protection
• Flexible parental benefits (if applicable)
• Access to our Internal employee assistance network, giving you the opportunity to reach the heights of success within your new position.
• Continued professional career development
• Kudos reward opportunities (internal achievements scheme)
• Occupational Health & Wellbeing Services
• 50% off entry into the Historic Dockyard

Application process

Applications are urged to apply prior to the advertising closing date of 14th November 2025 with a view of interviews scheduled to commence week commencing 17th November 2025. For all queries, please contact the Recruitment Team in the first instance who will advise accordingly.

About Us

At KBS Maritime, we\'re not just another company - we\'re an exciting and dynamic joint venture between industry leaders BAE Systems and KBR. Our team is dedicated to providing Asset Management, Infrastructure Management, Energy Solutions and Alongside Services at His Majesty\'s Naval Base Portsmouth (HMNBP), the beating heart of the Royal Navy.

With almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy\'s surface ships stationed at HMNBP, working with KBS Maritime means being at the forefront of innovation and progress. We operate in a unique and fascinating environment, with a mix of historic dockyards and cutting-edge infrastructure that\'s unlike any other.

By delivering state of the art solutions to the Royal Navy, KBS Maritime offers the chance to work on projects that make a real difference to the safety, security, and sustainability of the UK\'s National Defence and Security. But it\'s not just about the work - at KBS Maritime, we believe in the value of our people. We have the ethos of a small business, which means we value and empower our team members to succeed