Head of Engineering Commercial & Contracts

British Airways PLC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff travel benefits

Discounted standby tickets

Career development across BA

Job summary

British Airways Head of Engineering Commercial & Contracts will drive the commercial strategy for a vast portfolio spanning engineering services, maintenance agreements, materials and logistics. You’ll negotiate major contracts, manage supplier relationships, and ensure value and risk are controlled across contract lifecycles.

You will lead a team of professionals, collaborate with Engineering, Finance, Legal and Procurement, and push for opportunities that deliver value for the business across

Qualifications

• Senior-level experience in commercial, contract, supplier or vendor management in a complex operational environment.
• Proven experience managing high-value contracts, commercial negotiations and supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of engineering, maintenance, MRO, supply chain or regulated aviation environments.
• Experience setting commercial governance, pricing frameworks, performance measures and risk controls.
• Track record of leading teams, building capability and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience in commercial, legal, procurement, engineering, business or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Engineering commercial, contract, supplier and vendor management strategy.
• Negotiate and manage major supplier, customer and service agreements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers and partners.
• Ensure commercial value, supplier performance and risk are effectively managed throughout contract lifecycles.
• Support the growth of Engineering's third‑party commercial activities and services.
• Partner with Engineering, Finance, Legal, Procurement and Operations teams.
• Lead, develop and coach a team of commercial and contract management professionals.

Skills

Commercial judgement

Negotiation skills

Supplier relationships

Risk management

Stakeholder influence

Team leadership

Education

Relevant degree or professional qualification

Job description

A career without limits

As the nation's flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

It's something we've been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world's first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.

This originality has been in our blood since day one. It's the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.

So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far‑flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.

We know great things can happen when you're inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

The role:

Head of Engineering Commercial & Contracts

British Airways Engineering relies on a complex network of suppliers, partners and service providers to support the maintenance of our fleet. The agreements behind those relationships are worth hundreds of millions of pounds and play an important part in ensuring we can maintain, repair and support aircraft safely and efficiently.

As Head of Engineering Commercial & Contracts, you'll lead the commercial strategy and contract management activity across a significant portfolio spanning engineering services, maintenance agreements, materials, logistics and supplier partnerships. You'll lead major negotiations, strengthen key relationships and help identify opportunities that deliver value for the business.

This is an opportunity to take on a highly influential leadership role, working with senior stakeholders across Engineering, Finance, Legal and Procurement while leading a team responsible for some of the most important commercial relationships within British Airways Engineering.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the Engineering commercial, contract, supplier and vendor management strategy.
• Negotiate and manage major supplier, customer and service agreements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers and partners.
• Ensure commercial value, supplier performance and risk are effectively managed throughout contract lifecycles.
• Support the growth of Engineering's third‑party commercial activities and services.
• Partner with Engineering, Finance, Legal, Procurement and Operations teams.
• Lead, develop and coach a team of commercial and contract management professionals.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong commercial judgement and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing complex supplier and customer relationships.
• The ability to balance commercial opportunities with risk management.
• Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and leading complex discussions.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build strong relationships across multiple business areas.
• Experience developing capable, accountable teams.

Qualifications / Experience

• Significant senior‑level experience in commercial, contract, supplier or vendor management within a complex operational environment - essential
• Proven experience managing high‑value contracts, commercial negotiations and supplier relationships.
• Strong understanding of engineering, maintenance, MRO, supply chain or regulated aviation environments - essential
• Experience setting commercial governance, pricing frameworks, performance measures and risk controls.
• Track record of leading teams, building capability and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Relevant degree, professional qualification or equivalent experience in commercial, legal, procurement, engineering, business or related discipline.

What we offer:

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It's one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

From the day you join us, you'll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You'll also receive up to 30 discounted Hotline' airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.

At British Airways you'll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.

We never stand still, and we don't expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we're committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We're looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.