Head of Commercial - Submarines

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

Job summary

A leading defence contractor in the UK is seeking a Head of Commercial for Submarines to manage significant contracts with the Ministry of Defence. This full-time role involves leading negotiations, developing strategies, and overseeing contract delivery. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills, extensive experience in the defence sector, and a degree in Business or Law. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and a generous benefits package.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme with life assurance

Access to health consultations

Employee share scheme

Paid volunteering day

Holiday Trading option

Professional fee payments

Wellbeing support program

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing commercial teams.
• Experience in governance on complex, high-value projects.
• Ability to maximise team performance in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of a high-value defence contract.
• Act as escalation point for commercial issues.
• Lead negotiations on price, terms, and scope.

Skills

Customer relationship management

Independent negotiations

Leadership skills

Defence sector contracting expertise

Managing large contracts

Education

Degree-level education in Business or Law

Job description

This is a high-profile role where your expertise will shape commercial strategy, ensure compliance, and drive value for both Babcock and the Ministry of Defence. You'll influence decisions that protect national security and strengthen the UK's submarine capability. Day-to-day, you'll take the lead in managing one of the UK's most significant defence contracts.

• Overseeing delivery of a high-value single-source contract with the Ministry of Defence
• Acting as the escalation point for complex commercial issues and coordinating responses
• Leading negotiations on price, terms, and scope while building strong customer relationships
• Developing commercial strategies, pricing models, and risk management approaches
• Deputising for the Naval Nuclear Commercial Director when required

This role is full-time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.

Essential experience of the Head of Commercial - Submarines

• Proven ability to build effective customer relationships and lead independent negotiations
• Extensive experience managing commercial teams and governance on complex, high-value projects
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of maximising team performance
• Significant expertise in defence sector contracting, including Single Source Contracting Regulations
• Demonstrated success managing large, complex contracts and competitive bids

Qualifications for the Head of Commercial - Submarines

• Degree-level education in Business, Law, or equivalent experience

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be 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. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• '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.

Babcock International For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.