Head of Commercial: Construction Delivery in Barrow in Furness

Job Title: Head of Commercial: Construction Delivery

Location: Barrow-in-Furness - minimum 3 days weekly onsite with additional travel when needed

Referral Scheme: £1000

Grade: GG14

You’re expected to have completed 12 months in role prior to applying for an advertised vacancy and you should also discuss the internal opportunity with your line manager to ensure sustained business continuity and to further support your career development.

We know there may be exceptional individual circumstances that impact this, in the first instance please discuss this with your line manager.

If you don’t feel you can talk to your Line Manager, you can contact your HRBP.

PLEASE NOTE Should you be invited for interview, you will be giving consent for the Recruitment Team to contact you and your line manager regarding your application for this opportunity.

Role description:

Acting as the commercial leader for construction across the programme, you will set and deliver functional strategies, plans and objectives that support Submarines’ business goals across major infrastructure programmes, including the 10+ year BCCR Shipyard Capability programme, inclusive of completion of the existing Dreadnought Facilities Site Redevelopment Programme. You will lead a professional, inclusive Supply Chain and commercial function, ensuring strong collaboration across the wider business.

You will define Commercial and Supply Chain strategies, act as a key programme focal point, and lead negotiations on major multi-billion construction projects. You will oversee contract development, risk and dispute resolution, provide guidance on prime contract alignment, and lead end‑to‑end Supply Chain engagement across critical programmes.

Core duties:

• Driving best‑practice commercial and supply chain processes; mentoring others and fostering continuous learning
• Leading procurement frameworks, contract strategy, negotiation, administration, and close‑out across complex construction programmes
• Ensuring audit compliance, governance adherence, and timely resolution of findings and improvement actions
• Providing financial insight, cost control, savings tracking, and clear reporting to senior stakeholders and boards
• Strengthening supplier performance, ethical practice, collaboration, and cross‑functional alignment to deliver programme objectives
• Promoting a strong, inclusive safety culture; embedding Quality and SHE standards, processes, and risk controls

Essential skills:

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) with strong, relevant industry experience across client and contractor environments
• Proven end‑to‑end procurement/commercial/construction management expertise within complex construction programmes
• Strong, inclusive leadership and executive capability, with the ability to inspire and develop high‑performing teams
• Demonstrated experience leading large‑scale sourcing activity and delivering strategic procurement outcomes
• Deep understanding of category management, governance, risk, and commercial strategy development
• Experienced in managing complex contract documentation and resolving high‑value commercial disputes across major programmes

The Team:

Join a truly exciting team delivering a once-in-a-lifetime programme supporting a vital national endeavour. From the £3–4Bn BCCR Shipyard Capability Infrastructure Programme to closing out the Dreadnought Facilities SRP through 2027, you’ll contribute to innovative, complex and far-reaching projects shaping the future.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best.

You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified people, who are BAE Systems employees and have been in their current role for 12 months or longer.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 16th October 2026

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