Head of Commercial

Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA.; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Pension with life assurance

Digital GP & annual health check

Job summary

Babcock in Plymouth is seeking a Head of Commercial to lead the Major Infrastructure Project portfolio within MNCP, shaping commercial strategy for UK defence programmes.

You will drive commercial excellence across high‑value construction contracts, manage NEC4 contracts, and lead a large team through governance and risk.

This role offers hybrid working with three days onsite, extensive stakeholder engagement, and opportunities to impact national security.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive NEC4 contracts knowledge and management experience.
• Experience managing large, complex construction contracts and bids.
• Ability to develop strong customer and supply chain relationships.
• Proven track record leading large commercial teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of multiple defence infrastructure contracts.
• Escalation point for complex/high-risk commercial issues with legal input.
• Develop and manage robust commercial strategies and pricing models.
• Negotiate terms, scope and pricing with suppliers and clients.
• Oversee contract administration, change control and cost planning.

Skills

NEC4 contracts

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Commercial governance

Risk management

Negotiation

Education

Degree-level qualification in Quantity Surveying, Business, Law, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Construction Management or equivalent

MRICS / MCIPS / WCC desirable

Job description

Head of Commercial

Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF73460

Shape the Future of National Security Through World-Class Commercial Leadership

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as the Head of Commercial at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As the Head of Commercial, you’ll take a leading role in supporting our Major Infrastructure Project (MIP) portfolio within the Major Nuclear Capital Programmes (MNCP) Commercial team. This is an opportunity to make an impact at national scale, shaping commercial strategy on complex Ministry of Defence programmes that play a critical part in UK defence, engineering and infrastructure.

Day-to-day, you’ll drive commercial excellence across high‑value, multi-disciplined construction and infrastructure projects, act as a trusted escalation point for complex commercial matters, and influence decision‑making at the highest levels.

• Leading the planning and delivery of multiple construction focussed contracts across major defence infrastructure programmes.
• Acting as an escalation point for complex or high‑risk commercial issues while coordinating legal advice where required.
• Developing and managing robust commercial strategies, including NEC4 contracts and pricing models, supported by your strong understanding of risk.
• Building positive relationships with suppliers, internal teams and clients to negotiate terms, scope and pricing effectively.
• Overseeing complex contract administration, change control, evidence gathering, pre‑tender estimates, cost planning, subcontract reviews, in line with robust commercial governance.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with a minimum of 3 days in the office/onsite.

Essential experience of the Head of Commercial

• Comprehensive experience, understanding and management of NEC4 contracts
• Proven experience managing large, complex construction contracts and bids within a regulated environment
• Demonstrable ability to develop and maintain effective customer and supply chain relationships through collaboration in line with commercial governance
• Work well with other functions to develop and present robust commercial reports in line with business expectations
• Able to lead and develop large commercial teams to maximise performance

Qualifications for the Head of Commercial

• Degree‑level qualification in Quantity Surveying, Business, Law, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Construction Management or equivalent experience.

• MRICS, World Commerce and Contracting (WCC), MICES or MCIPS - Desirable

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. There is an annual Window to request this benefit. ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Closing date: 28/07/2026