Regional Commercial Lead - Water - South & Midlands

Stantec; England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Bonus schemes

Private medical insurance

Pension

Job summary

Stantec in the UK Water business seeks a Regional Commercial Lead to steer commercial strategy across the South & Midlands during AMP8. You will shape bids, manage risk, and drive profitable growth with client and partner teams across major frameworks including Severn Trent and Thames Water.

Hybrid role across Southern or Midlands offices with travel as required. You will lead governance, optimise commercial performance, and mentor staff while embedding best practice in alliance and delivery

Qualifications

• Education aligned to engineering, surveying, law or business.
• Strong commercial acumen with regulated utility experience is desirable.
• Experience with NEC4 and alliance delivery models in the water sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight on bids and competitive proposals.
• Lead stakeholder management with Client and Partner Commercial Leads.
• Develop and implement controlled commercial strategies for growth.
• Drive risk management and operational excellence within the region.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Mobility

Education

Engineering degree

Quantity Surveying

Law degree

Business degree

Tools

NEC4 contract management

Alliance/Enterprise delivery models

Job description

Stantec is seeking a strategic and driven Regional Commercial Lead to join our thriving UK Water business. This is a pivotal role within our South & Midlands region as our portfolio strengthens across the transformative AMP8 cycle. With significant capital programs confirmed across key regional frameworks—including Severn Trent, Dŵr Cymru, Wessex, South West, Anglian, Southern Water, Thames Water, and Affinity Water—this region represents a vital component of our national growth strategy.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape our commercial approach to some of the UK’s most complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. As we ramp up for the unprecedented investment levels of AMP8, you will be instrumental in navigating new regulatory incentives and delivery models. This role can be based out of any of our Southern or Midlands offices, including Birmingham, Reading, High Wycombe, London, Brighton, Bristol or Cardiff.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Commercial Lead, you will be responsible for ensuring that we have a healthy, profitable, and sustainable business while effectively managing and balancing business risk and growth. You will provide strategic oversight on the commercial elements of bids and developing competitive proposals with partner organisations that meet business objectives and provide opportunities for outperformance.

Working alongside our Senior Leadership Team to drive operational excellence, you will implement and improve controlled commercial strategies to enable business growth. Furthermore, you will lead stakeholder management by building and maintaining strong working relationships with Client and Partner Commercial Leads.

YOUR IMPACT

You will have the opportunity to have a significant impact across the Water Business. By providing commercial leadership to the regional leadership group, you will inspire and motivate the team to deliver best practice in commercial and risk performance management.

Your ability to challenge conventional thinking and foster a collaborative culture will be the catalyst for our sustainable growth. You will play a direct hand in securing our future portfolio, ensuring that Stantec remains a market leader in the delivery of critical water infrastructure. Your focus on proactive risk management and strategic partnership will protect the business while enabling us to take on the most ambitious projects in the sector.

ABOUT YOU

You are an experienced Commercial Lead with a solid understanding of how to drive change within professional services teams.

• Education: Ideally qualified with a relevant degree (Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law, or Business).
• Industry Knowledge: Deep experience in the regulated water sector is highly desirable; experience within a design and build or consultancy environment is an advantage.
• Technical Expertise: Exemplary experience in NEC4 contract management practices and various Alliance/Enterprise delivery models common in the water industry.
• Analytical Skills: Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret complex financial systems and reports.
• Leadership Style: A high degree of self-management and the ability to influence staff and partners across all seniority levels.
• Mobility: As this role covers the South of the UK, you must be willing to travel to client and project offices when required.

WHY JOIN US?

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid-for professional subscriptions.
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK & Ireland—especially in the South—and we want you to be part of it.
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, private medical insurance, and flexible "buy/sell" annual leave.
• Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.