Project Commercial Director

Balfour Beatty plc; Preston; On-site; GBP 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Smart working

25 days annual leave

Pension & shares

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Balfour Beatty is recruiting a Project Commercial Director to lead the commercial function on a nationally significant defence infrastructure programme valued at about £3 billion. You will steer governance, risk, contract performance, and cash flow, working with customers and supply chain partners to maximise value.

The role requires a proven track record of leading large commercial teams within Tier 1 infrastructure, and eligibility for security clearance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading commercial teams on major infrastructure programmes.
• Experience delivering value on large-scale projects with Tier 1 contractors.
• Strong contract management and risk governance capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic commercial leadership across a multi‑year programme.
• Lead the commercial team, governance, risk, cash flow and profitability.
• Negotiate complex commercial terms with clients and suppliers.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Contract management

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

RICS/CIOB/ICES membership

CSCS card

Chartered status preferred

Job description

About The Role

Job Title: Project Commercial Director - Major Defence Infrastructure Programme

Location: North West England

Sector: Defence Infrastructure

Salary: Competitive Benefits Package

Security Clearance: Must be eligible for and willing to obtain Security Clearance (SC) and undertake enhanced DBS checks as a minimum.

Lead One of the UK's Most Significant Defence Infrastructure Programmes

Balfour Beatty is seeking an exceptional Project Commercial Director to lead the commercial function on a nationally significant defence infrastructure programme valued at approximately £3 billion.

This is a career-defining opportunity to shape and influence the commercial delivery of a complex, long-term programme encompassing major buildings, structures, civil engineering and infrastructure works. You'll join a senior leadership team responsible for delivering critical infrastructure that supports the UK's defence capabilities, whilst driving commercial performance, innovation and sustainable growth.

If you thrive in complex environments, have a track record of leading high-performing commercial teams and have delivered major infrastructure programmes for a Tier 1 contractor, we want to hear from you.

The Opportunity

As Project Commercial Director, you will provide strategic commercial leadership across a major programme of works, taking responsibility for commercial governance, contract performance, stakeholder management, risk management, cash flow, supply chain strategy and profitability.

You will lead a substantial commercial team, working alongside programme leadership, customers, stakeholders and supply chain partners to drive successful project outcomes and create long-term value.

This role offers the opportunity to influence commercial strategy at the highest level whilst leaving a lasting legacy on one of the UK's most important infrastructure programmes.

What you'll be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the commercial function across a major £3bn programme.
• Managing commercial strategy, governance, risk and compliance.
• Overseeing contract performance, cost management, margin protection and cash flow.
• Leading complex commercial negotiations with clients, suppliers and key stakeholders.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and digital transformation across the commercial function.
• Providing commercial leadership on bids, opportunities and programme growth initiatives.
• Building and leading high-performing commercial teams across multiple projects and disciplines.
• Developing strategic relationships with customers, supply chain partners and industry stakeholders.
• Supporting programme delivery through proactive commercial decision-making and robust financial controls.
• Mentoring and developing the next generation of commercial leaders.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience with a Tier 1 contractor delivering major construction and infrastructure programmes.
• Extensive experience leading commercial teams on large-scale projects valued in the hundreds of millions or billions.
• Strong background across major building projects, complex structures and infrastructure delivery.
• Experience working within highly regulated or secure environments would be advantageous.
• Demonstrable success in commercial leadership, contract management and risk management.
• Ability to engage and influence executive stakeholders, clients and supply chain partners.
• Proven experience managing and developing large commercial teams.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or equivalent.
• Membership or Fellowship of RICS, CIOB or ICES (or equivalent professional standing).
• CSCS Professional Qualified Person Card.
• Chartered status preferred.

Why Balfour Beatty?

At Balfour Beatty, we finance, develop, build and maintain some of the UK's most critical infrastructure. This role provides the opportunity to work on a programme of national importance, alongside some of the industry's most experienced professionals.

You’ll Be Empowered To Lead, Innovate And Shape Major Outcomes Whilst Working In An Environment Where Our Values Underpin Everything We Do

Talk Positively. Collaborate Relentlessly. Encourage Constantly. Make a Difference. Value Everyone.

Professional and personal development

The size and scale of Balfour Beatty coupled with our strong pipeline of work provides incredible opportunities, regardless of what stage you are at in your career.

We encourage and empower our employees to take control of their career and explore which part of the business they want to work in and what role is right for them. We actively encourage our managers and employees to have open communication throughout the year about wellbeing, development and career opportunities.

We’re proud of the Balfour Beatty Academy. Whether it’s sharpening your technical expertise, improving your personal skills or seeking support to become professionally qualified, our 70:20:10* approach to development means we have a learning approach that suits everyone.

• 70% learning on the job, 20% learning from those around you, and 10% formal training courses and learning events.

For further information about Balfour Beatty Defence & Security please go to www.balfourbeatty.com/defence - You can also check out further job opportunities in the careers section

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Benefits

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About Us

Operating across England and Wales, our buildings teams create places where people live, are cared for, work, learn, meet and have fun, with a focus on the aviation, health, defence, education and development sectors.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/