Strategic Contracts Lead – Major Projects

National Grid; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

National Grid seeks a Head of Contracts – Major Projects to lead a high‑impact commercial function. You will own end‑to‑end spend around £400m annually, design and embed processes for cost control, value tracking and governance, and report to the Major Projects Director.

This leadership role requires strategic influence and a proven track record of delivering large transformation. The role offers a hybrid working pattern with site bases across NGED locations and travels 2–3 times weekly.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Commercial Director, Head of Commercial, or similar senior commercial leader role.
• Experience leading a new commercial function within an engineering or infrastructure environment.
• Strong budgeting and performance reporting capabilities.
• Experience managing large multi-million-pound budgets.
• Analytical approach to complex commercial and contractual challenges.
• Ability to influence strategically at all levels and with external stakeholders.
• Track record of communicating compelling business cases and securing buy-in for significant change.
• Leadership skills to coach and develop talent and build high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Hold end-to-end commercial accountability for the Major Projects portfolio (~£400m annual spend).
• Report to the Director of Major Projects, ensuring commercial strategy aligns with objectives.
• Build and lead a high-performing commercial function with cost controls and progress measurement.
• Serve on the Major Projects Leadership Team to contribute to strategy and governance.
• Set commercial standards and governance, embedding best-practice processes.
• Provide commercial expertise across supply chain and contracting.
• Drive change and transformation across the organisation.
• Partner with Procurement to develop effective contracting strategies that embed cost and progress controls.
• Act as Commercial Counsel supporting budgeting, targets, and financial governance.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and resolve disputes as required.
• Lead performance reporting, budgeting, and governance for decision-making.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Commercial leadership

Stakeholder management

Contract/NEC4 knowledge

Budgeting/Reporting

Tools

NEC4 contracts knowledge

Job description

National Grid seeks a Head of Contracts – Major Projects to lead a high‑impact commercial function. You will own end‑to‑end spend around £400m annually, design and embed processes for cost control, value tracking and governance, and report to the Major Projects Director.

This leadership role requires strategic influence and a proven track record of delivering large transformation. The role offers a hybrid working pattern with site bases across NGED locations and travels 2–3 times weekly.