Balfour Beatty plc
Project Commercial Director

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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.
Who we're looking for
We are looking for a commercially astute leader who has operated at programme or major project level within a Tier 1 contracting environment.
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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.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you're a commercially driven leader with experience delivering major infrastructure programmes and are looking for your next executive-level challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
Join Balfour Beatty and help deliver infrastructure that protects, connects and powers the future.
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
- 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


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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.
Why join us?
Benefits
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key 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/
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com
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