At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for high-value contracts supporting the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in defence and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, matched pension scheme, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on national security while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex contracts and strong negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working arrangements and opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute or Rosyth, Fife + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Shape the Future of Defence and Engineering
At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Head of Commercial at our Helensburgh or Rosyth site.
The role
As a Head of Commercial, you’ll lead the commercial strategy for our Fleet Time operations, supporting the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence. This is a pivotal role where your expertise will ensure the successful delivery of high-value contracts, strengthen customer relationships, and influence decisions that safeguard national security. It’s an opportunity to make a tangible impact while advancing your career in a dynamic, mission-critical environment.
Day-to-day, you’ll have the following responsibilities:
- Overseeing delivery of a high-value single-source contract to the UK Ministry of Defence
- Providing governance and guidance on complex commercial issues
- Acting as an escalation point for high-risk matters and coordinating responses with legal teams
- Negotiating price, terms, and scope with customers to achieve positive outcomes
- Collaborating with internal teams (finance, supply chain, technical) to develop commercial solutions.
This role is full time, 37 hours per week with hybrid working arrangements. You can be based at either our Helensburgh or Rosyth site, with occasional travel between locations.
Essential experience of the Head of Commercial
- Proven experience managing large, complex contracts and bids in regulated or government environments
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to build effective customer relationships
- Leadership experience managing and developing commercial teams
- Expertise in commercial governance and oversight for complex projects
- Knowledge of Single Source Contracting Regulations
Qualifications for the Head of Commercial
- Degree-level education in Business, Law, or equivalent experience.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.
What we offer
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
- Employee shopping savings portal
- Payment of Professional Fees
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
- Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
- ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
Babcock
We’re Babcock — a global FTSE organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance. We call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.
We are a disability confident committed employer.
Head of Commercial in Glasgow employer: Babcock International Group
Contact Detail:
Babcock International Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the defence and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Babcock and its projects. Understand their mission and values, especially around national security. We want to see your passion for the role and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Head of Commercial, you’ll need to showcase your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to refine your approach and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Commercial role. Highlight your experience with large contracts and government environments, as well as your negotiation skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our commercial strategy. Be sure to mention any relevant leadership experience and your understanding of commercial governance.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage complex contracts and build customer relationships. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes, so don’t hold back on the details!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Babcock!
How to prepare for a job interview at Babcock International Group
✨Know Your Contracts Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the complexities of large, single-source contracts, especially those related to government and defence. Familiarise yourself with the Single Source Contracting Regulations and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these requirements.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you achieved positive outcomes while maintaining strong customer relationships. This will demonstrate your ability to handle high-stakes discussions effectively.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Be ready to talk about your experience managing and developing commercial teams. Share insights on how you've fostered collaboration among internal teams like finance and supply chain to create effective commercial solutions.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Research Babcock's role in national security and public infrastructure. Be prepared to discuss how your work as Head of Commercial can contribute to their mission. Showing that you understand the company's goals will set you apart from other candidates.