Head of Commercial (Central)

Anglian Water Services; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave + bank holidays

Flexible working options

Private healthcare

Double‑matched pension up to 7%

Life assurance at 8x salary

Annual performance bonus

Car allowance

Personal medical assessments

Virtual GP service

Job summary

Anglian Water is seeking a Head of Commercial to lead the commercial performance of its Major Infrastructure Delivery portfolio. You will drive governance, risk and financial controls across multi‑bn projects and a wide supplier network.

Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will shape strategy, develop commercial capability, coach teams and ensure value for customers while delivering ambitious capital programmes.

Qualifications

• Significant senior-level commercial leadership experience in complex infrastructure, utilities, engineering or construction.
• Experience delivering major capital projects and design‑and‑build programmes.
• Strong knowledge of NEC contracts and commercial strategy development.
• Experience leading commercial teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Professional qualification in a relevant commercial, quantity surveying, finance or project management discipline.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic commercial leadership across Major Infrastructure Delivery programmes with governance and control of performance.
• Oversee procurement, contract management, and commercial risk management across the portfolio.
• Drive cost estimation, forecasting, reporting and financial controls to support decision-making.
• Develop and maintain robust commercial management systems and assurance frameworks.
• Coach and develop high-performing commercial teams and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

NEC contracts

Commercial leadership

Stakeholder management

Contract management

Strategic thinking

Education

Professional qualification in commercial/finance/project management

Job description

Circa £100,000 - £120,000 (Depending on Skills & Experience)

Permanent
Full Time / 37 Hours (Flexible working opportunities available)
Peterborough & Anglian Water sites, with flexibility for hybrid working
Double Matched Pension Scheme (up to 21% combined)
Bonus up to 25% (dependent on personal and company performance)
Private Healthcare
Car Allowance

Lead the commercial performance of one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure investment programmes.

At Anglian Water, we're delivering a once-in-a-generation programme of investment to improve resilience, protect the environment and support sustainable growth across our region. As part of this ambition, our Major Infrastructure Delivery (MID) business is responsible for delivering more than £2bn of capital investment through some of the largest and most complex projects in the water sector.

We're looking for an exceptional Head of Commercial to provide strategic commercial leadership across this portfolio, ensuring robust governance, commercial assurance and effective management of risk, cost and contractual performance across our major programmes and its supply chain.

This is a pivotal leadership role that will work closely with senior leaders, delivery partners and contractors to drive commercial excellence, support investment decisions and create long-term value for our customers and communities. Reporting to the Major Infrastructure Delivery Commercial Director, you'll play a key role in shaping the commercial strategy and performance of one of the UK's largest infrastructure delivery programmes.

What you'll be doing

• Provide strategic commercial leadership across Major Infrastructure Delivery programmes, ensuring robust governance and control of commercial performance.
• Ensure framework level performance governance of our Programme Delivery and Major Projects Partners.
• Lead commercial risk management activities and support the proactive resolution of commercial issues, disputes and contractual matters.
• Oversee NEC contract management arrangements and provide leadership and support to commercial and contract management teams across the portfolio.
• Drive excellence in cost estimating, forecasting, reporting and financial controls to support effective decision-making.
• Establish and maintain robust commercial management systems, processes and assurance frameworks.
• Support procurement and supply chain activities, ensuring effective governance across Tier 1 and Tier 2 delivery partners.
• Provide commercial insight and reporting to executive and board-level stakeholders.
• Champion continuous improvement and commercial innovation across the organisation.
• Lead, coach and develop high-performing commercial teams, helping to build future capability including graduate development programmes.
• Foster a collaborative commercial culture that supports delivery partners, stakeholders and programme teams in achieving successful outcomes.

What we're looking for

• Significant senior-level commercial leadership experience at strategic and delivery levels within complex infrastructure, utilities, engineering or construction environments.
• Proven experience supporting the delivery of major capital projects and design-and-build programmes.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience of NEC contracts and commercial strategy development.
• Experience leading commercial teams and influencing a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders at a senior level.
• Professional qualification in a relevant commercial, quantity surveying, finance or project management discipline.
• Strong commercial and contractual management expertise with the ability to balance risk, value and delivery priorities.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• A strategic mindset, sound judgement and a passion for continuous improvement.

Desirable: Experience within the water sector or other highly regulated industries.

Why join Anglian Water?

As Head of Commercial, you'll have the opportunity to influence significant investment decisions, shape commercial strategy across a growing £2bn+ portfolio and work alongside industry-leading partners on projects of national significance. You'll help create lasting value for our customers while developing and leading a high-performing commercial function.

Benefits

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options
• Private healthcare
• Competitive pension scheme with double-matched contributions up to 7%
• Life assurance at eight times your salary
• Annual performance bonus
• Car allowance
• Personal medical assessments
• Virtual GP service

Inclusion at Anglian Water

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We are proud signatories of the Social Mobility Pledge, Race at Work Charter and Armed Forces Covenant, and we are a Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Closing Date: 20th September 2026