Head of Commercial

Network Plus; Worsley; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utilities firm in the UK is seeking a Head of Commercial to drive growth and operational excellence. The role involves leading a high-performing team, focusing on commercial strategy, margin improvement, and stakeholder relationships. Candidates should have extensive experience in managing large-scale contracts in the utilities sector and a proven track record in subcontractor management. The position offers a competitive salary and a full benefits package, promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Full benefits package

Equal Opportunity Employer

Armed Forces-friendly

Qualifications

• Proven management of subcontractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with large-scale contracts, ensuring financial and operational efficiency.
• Skilled in cost value reconciliations, profit and loss management, and risk mitigation.
• Extensive experience in the commercial management of high-volume contracts in the utilities sector.
• Strong track record in managing senior relationships.
• Ability to identify and address operational and process gaps.

Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement with contract stakeholders, ensuring alignment with commercial goals.
• Track contract performance against KPIs, ensuring financial and operational targets are met.
• Foster collaboration to improve performance and customer satisfaction.
• Guide and support contract-wide staff, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Manage internal and client budgets, and proactively address contractual risks.
• Continuously refine processes to enhance contract performance and profitability.
• Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and LDPs, ensuring compliance.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks, including safety and environmental standards.

Skills

Client-Centric Focus

Communication & Negotiation

Leadership & Accountability

Problem Solving

Adaptability & Change Management

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Strategic Thinking

Education

RICS Qualification

NE4 Contract Experience

Experience with large-scale framework contracts

Job description

Department

United Utilities

Location

Worsley

Compensation

£90,000 - £100,000 / year

Description

As Head of Commercial you will be a key member of the Leadership Team, driving business growth and operational excellence. You will lead a high‑performing team and focus on commercial strategy, margin improvement, and building strong client and stakeholder relationships. With a deep understanding of utilities you will collaborate with the Contract Director, supply chain and customers to deliver high standards of service.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Procurement & Negotiation: Oversee procurement with contract stakeholders, ensuring alignment with commercial goals, especially with Local Delivery Partners (LDPs).
• Contract Performance Monitoring: Track contract performance against KPIs, ensuring financial and operational targets are met.
• Stakeholder & Supply Chain Collaboration: Foster collaboration to improve performance and customer satisfaction.
• Leadership & Direction: Guide and support contract‑wide staff, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Budget & Risk Management: Manage internal and client budgets, and proactively address contractual risks.
• Operational Process Improvement: Continuously refine processes to enhance contract performance and profitability.
• Subcontractor Management: Maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and LDPs, ensuring compliance.
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks, including safety and environmental standards.

Behavioural Competencies

• Client‑Centric Focus: Strengthen client relationships while maintaining commercial conditions.
• Communication & Negotiation: Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to achieve business outcomes.
• Leadership & Accountability: Lead by example, ensuring ownership of commercial outcomes.
• Problem Solving: Develop data‑driven, practical solutions to challenges.
• Adaptability & Change Management: Embrace and guide teams through change.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Cultivate a culture of innovation and performance enhancement.
• Strategic Thinking: Set clear, measurable goals aligned with broader business and client objectives.

Experience and Qualifications

• Subcontractor & Team Leadership: Proven management of subcontractors and multidisciplinary teams.
• High‑Volume Contract Management: Experience with large‑scale contracts, ensuring financial and operational efficiency.
• Financial & Contractual Oversight: Skilled in cost value reconciliations, profit and loss management, and risk mitigation.
• Utilities Industry Expertise: Extensive experience in the commercial management of high‑volume contracts in the utilities sector.
• Stakeholder Relationship Development: Strong track record in managing senior relationships.
• Performance Improvement: Ability to identify and address operational and process gaps.

Technical Competencies

• RICS Qualification: Desirable but not essential.
• NE4 Contract Experience: Essential, particularly in utilities.
• Framework Contract Expertise: Experience with large‑scale framework contracts in the utilities sector.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven leader to drive growth, innovation and performance in the utilities sectors.

Salary and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary based on experience along with a full benefits package.

Network Plus is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

We are Armed Forces‑friendly. We welcome applications from ex‑Armed Forces personnel, reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

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