Head of Commercial

Babcock International Group; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK Defence contractor is seeking a Head of Commercial to shape the commercial strategy for its Defence business unit. You will lead a team and manage complex contracts, focusing on growth and client relationships. This permanent, full-time role offers a hybrid work model with competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension

Access to Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Professional fee payment

Volunteering leave

Qualifications

• Proven success in leading negotiations on multi-million-pound contracts.
• Senior-level experience managing complex public sector contracts.
• Experience assessing contractual terms for financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial projects for the Defence Business Unit.
• Manage negotiations with government stakeholders on complex contracts.
• Drive growth opportunities across defence contracts.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Contract management

Strategic leadership

Risk assessment

Commercialisation of products

Job description

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Compensation: Attractive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF

Lead the Future of Defence and Nuclear Innovation

At Cavendish Nuclear, we’re working to create a safe and secure world. If you join us, you can play your part as a Head of Commercial at Warrington, Newbury, Bristol, or Leicester.

The role

As a Head of Commercial, you’ll shape the commercial strategy for Cavendish Nuclear’s Defence business unit. This leadership role involves driving contract success, strengthening client relationships, and supporting growth across national infrastructure projects. You’ll lead a team of commercial and quantity surveying professionals, influencing outcomes that protect communities and defence capabilities.

Day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Leading commercial projects and providing strategic guidance across the UK Defence Business Unit.
• Managing negotiations with government and commercial stakeholders on complex contracts.
• Driving changes and growth opportunities across defence contracts and frameworks.
• Developing contractual documents, including supplier agreements and consultancy contracts.
• Representing Cavendish Nuclear at key customer meetings and industry forums.

This is a permanent, full-time position working 37 hours per week. The role is hybrid, with 2–3 days onsite at Warrington, Newbury, Bristol, or Leicester, with semi-regular travel to client sites.

Essential experience for the Head of Commercial:

• Proven success in leading negotiations and closing multi-million-pound public sector contracts, ideally within Defence.
• Senior-level experience managing complex, high-value contracts across their lifecycle.
• Strategic commercial leadership in multi-disciplinary environments.
• Ability to assess contractual terms and their impact on financial performance and delivery risk.
• Experience in commercialising new products, services, or technologies.

Qualifications

We value diversity and welcome candidates with varied backgrounds and education, provided you demonstrate the required experience and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at the provided link.

What we offer

• 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 of paid leave
• Holiday Trading, allowing employees to buy or sell additional leave annually (February–March)
• ‘Be Kind Day’ for volunteering leave
• Excellent development opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including an employee assistance programme supporting wellbeing.

As a leader within the UK nuclear industry, Cavendish Nuclear, part of