Job description
We are seeking a motivated and broad disciplinary Head of Commercial to join our team, leading and promoting the delivery of our commercial activities. You will play a key role in the commercial culture and leadership across the organisation, responsible for coordination of contracts, bids, supplier management and client engagement under the guidance of the Board Director with responsibility for Finance and Commercial. This role is pivotal in ensuring commercial success and compliance within highly regulated defence environments, requiring proactive risk management and strategic stakeholder engagement
We are a well-regarded, close-knit team, of talented subject matter experts, renowned for our ability to deliver. Our ethos is focused on customer satisfaction, equity, teamwork, support and development, and engendering a healthy home/work life balance.
The role is on-site at the SQEP offices at the Bristol and Bath Science Park or Customer premises across the UK, with flexibility to work up to two days per week from home. The role is a full-time position, however we would be open to a part-time arrangement for the right applicant.
Responsibilities
1. Bid & Tender Management
• Develop collaborative relationship with Business Development teams.
• Lead the commercial preparation and submission of bids, tenders, and proposals, ensuring accuracy and compliance with client and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the review, drafting, and management of contracts with clients, partners, and suppliers.
2. Commercial Records & Contract Administration
• Maintain and update commercial records, including contract registers, supplier agreements, and pricing schedules.
• Ensure all contracts and agreements meet legal and regulatory standards.
3. Financial Oversight
• Develop collaborative relationship with Finance teams.
• Support financial modelling and pricing activities in collaboration with finance teams.
• Monitor project performance, costs, and profitability, ensuring delivery to commercial and financial targets.
4. Supplier & Procurement Management
• Manage procurement processes, including supplier selection, onboarding, and compliance checks.
• Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships through professional account administration.
5. Client Engagement & Account Management
• Act as the first point of contact for client account queries, escalating issues as necessary.
• Maintain accurate client records, process invoices, monitor payment status, and support credit control activities.
6. Risk Management & Compliance
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks by escalating issues promptly.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, legal, and regulatory requirements in all commercial activities.
• Advise on contractual commitments and obligations, ensuring satisfactory performance, and own any publication of performance measures by customer organisations.
• Undertake contract reviews and compliance checks.
7. Claims and Disputes
• Develop any claims under existing contracts and lead on the contractual mechanisms and valuations.
• Be responsible for reporting any disputes between parties and working through initial proposals to resolve challenges with involvement of Board where appropriate.
8. Team Leadership & Collaboration
• Foster a commercial culture and leadership across the organisation.
• Liaise with project managers and delivery teams to track project performance and support teamwork.
9. Reporting & Administration
• Provide administrative and reporting support for commercial activities.
• Ensure accuracy in reporting detailed financial information.
10. Diversity, Inclusion & Company Values
• Promote an inclusive workplace, supporting company values and equal opportunities.
• Offer flexible support for employees with limited commercial knowledge, military backgrounds or special circumstances.
Competencies
• Proactive and resourceful with a willingness to promote commercial across all areas of business and activity.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills as well as on own initiative
• Ability to perform in highly complex environments and manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Professional, confidential and customer-focused approach.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Accuracy in reporting detailed financial information
Experience
Essential
• Significant experience in establishing, developing and leading a highly functioning commercial team.
• Specialist knowledge for highly technical contractual forms and arrangements, NDA’s, DEFCONs etc.
• Comfortable to advise to Board on Contractual requirements, issues and obligations, with ability to deliver proactive resolution and proportionate risk management.
• Experience in account management, including invoicing, payment tracking and supporting credit control.
• Experience in leading submission of bids, tenders, or procurement administration.
• Confident communicator, able to liaise with clients, team, colleagues, and suppliers.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, advance Excel skills, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Finance and SRM packages).
Desirable
• Familiarity with Government contracts / Defence, Nuclear, Rail sectors (Highly Regulated Industry)
• Experience of foreign nation contracting, export controls, ITAR, DoD arrangements etc.
• Previous delivery through Government and Defence Procurements and Frameworks such as CCS.
• Knowledge of accounts receivable/payable processes.
• Understanding of project-based businesses (consultancy, engineering, or professional services).
• Experience across Client side, Private Sector, and Consultancy Sectors.
• Exposure to financial and commercial reporting at Board Level or equivalent.