Senior Commercial Lead

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £80,190

7% corporate bonus

Final salary pension 21.5%

25 days annual leave

8 Bank Holidays

Site closure 3 days over Christmas

Flexible working

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority Culham, Oxfordshire, is seeking a Senior Commercial Lead to steer procurement across Professional Services and Integrated Engineering, managing a portfolio over £100 million. You will design strategies, govern contracts and develop a high-performing team while ensuring governance and compliance.

This is an onsite role with regular presence (3–5 days per week) and flexible working where feasible. A major leadership opportunity with a strong rewards package awaits.

Qualifications

• Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.
• Experience leading complex end-to-end procurements in the public sector.
• Knowledge of current public procurement legislation and its practical application.
• Ability to develop procurement and commercial strategies at programme level.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and procurement across Professional Services and Integrated Engineering.
• Develop category and commercial strategies and two-year delivery plans for ATEN.
• Design innovative procurement solutions to enable agile programme delivery.
• Implement contract-management processes and monitor supplier performance.
• Lead, inspire and develop Commercial Managers and Specialists.

Skills

CIPS membership

Public procurement knowledge

Strategic procurement leadership

Stakeholder negotiation

Team leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

About us

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

About the Job

The Senior Commercial Lead is responsible for the strategic direction of procurement across UKAEA’s Professional Services and Integrated Engineering categories, including commercial delivery of the ATEN programme. You will oversee a major portfolio with expenditure exceeding £100 million, developing innovative commercial strategies that support the future of fusion energy. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for complex procurement, commercial governance, supplier capability and the development of a high-performing team. UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs. We actively support flexible working arrangements where this is compatible with the role.

What You’ll be Doing

• Lead all sourcing and procurement activity across the Professional Services and Integrated Engineering categories.
• Develop and implement category and commercial strategies, including the overall commercial strategy and two-year delivery plans for the ATEN programme.
• Design innovative procurement and contracting solutions that enable agile, efficient programme delivery.
• Develop appropriate approaches to commercial risk, assurance, governance and regulatory compliance.
• Build commercial intelligence through analysis of markets, suppliers, industry capacity and emerging entrants.
• Lead commercial engagement with senior stakeholders, government departments, the Cabinet Office, universities, industry and other partner organisations.
• Provide expert advice on complex, critical, novel or contentious procurement and commercial matters.
• Implement effective contract-management processes and monitor supplier performance throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Lead, inspire and develop Commercial Managers and Commercial Specialists, including mentoring colleagues undertaking CIPS qualifications.
• Ensure commercial strategies, policies and processes align across UKAEA programmes and support organisational objectives.

What You’ll Bring

• Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, together with a degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• Extensive experience of leading complex end-to-end procurements within the public sector.
• Strong knowledge of current public procurement legislation and its practical application.
• Significant experience of developing procurement and commercial strategies at programme or portfolio level.
• The ability to influence and negotiate effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders, including government bodies.
• A dynamic and motivational leadership style, with experience of developing high-performing commercial teams.

Benefits

• A salary of £80190
• Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
• Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus 2.5 privilege days;
• 8 Bank Holidays
• 3 days of site closure over Christmas break
• Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions

Our commitment to ED&I

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All appointments are made on merit and further information can be found here.

Salary

£80,190 (inclusive of £7,000 if MCIPS qualified) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

Location

UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

Contract Details

• Type of Employment: Full-time
• Reference Number: REF4545Z