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- Tasks: Lead the Vertical Lift Commercial Team and manage complex contracts for Boeing Defence.
- Company: Join Boeing Defence, a leader in aerospace innovation and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in commercial roles with strong leadership and negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has become available to join Boeing Defence United Kingdom (BDUK) as the Head of Commercial for the Vertical Lift business unit. This role is full-time and can be either based at BDUK’s Gosport office or it can be based at BDUK’s Bristol office with a requirement for weekly travel to Gosport. Hybrid working is available with a minimum of three days in office required.
About the role:
The Vertical Lift Head of Commercial in BDUK leads and is accountable for management of the BDUK Vertical Lift Commercial Team (circa 12 people), reporting to the BDUK Commercial Director and working alongside the Vertical Lift Director and their leadership team as a business partner. The Vertical Lift Commercial Team is located between Gosport (primary) and Bristol offices and occasionally works at various customer locations including Odiham and Middle Wallop. The Vertical Lift business unit has recently consolidated three contracts into the Rotary Wing Enterprise (RWE) contract: a performance-based logistics, maintenance and support services contract for the UK fleet of Chinook and Apache helicopters. The focus for the business unit is to excel in execution of this contract and grow the business unit with opportunities for both domestic and foreign customers.
Your priorities will be to lead & manage your Commercial leadership team who will manage, with their teams, the day-to-day execution of the RWE single source contract; act as an effective escalation path and advisor to your team; develop & maintain a trusting relationship with your MoD customer counterpart(s); be proactive and influential in shaping, developing the strategy and implementing the approach for contracting the follow-on period for RWE; operate as a business leader for the Vertical Lift business unit for both current and future contract concerns, including future growth.
The Vertical Lift Head of Commercial serves as the customer point of contact, including escalation, for all Vertical Lift portfolio topics & issues and will have a deep understanding of UK and UK MoD contract terms and conditions with the ability to communicate contractual requirements both internally and externally to the organisation. A full understanding of programme & financial performance of contracts is expected with a full appreciation of the programme environment and emerging risks, issues & opportunities, irrespective of the extent of Commercial involvement.
As part of the BDUK Commercial Leadership Team this role participates in development of Vertical Lift Commercial performance priorities & objectives and subsequent performance objectives for individuals within the team, leading people development activities for all team members and participating in functional evaluations and discussions on all related topics, supporting functional improvements and participating in ensuring all matters of compliance are undertaken by the assigned team to assure performance. The Boeing Values & Behaviours are integral to how we all work at BDUK. You will be expected to role model and champion Safety & Quality, Trust, People Focus, Innovation and Ownership in all that you do, how you lead your team and the manner in which you engage with your customers.
Position responsibilities:
- Responsibility to set and manage performance of the Commercial objectives of the Vertical Lift Commercial Team and to lead / facilitate effective individual development plans
- Fully understand BDUK Commercial policies/procedures and ensure compliance with Corporate Policies/Procedures and all legislation, regulations and standards applicable to your contracts / proposals
- Submit offers and contractually commit the company within permitted delegated authority
- Review Statements of Work, terms and conditions, cost estimates and the determination of profit or earnings objectives. Ability to guide team on and, where required, draft terms and conditions and other contractual language.
- Provide leadership, guidance and help needed to your team as required to support their individual development and in meeting business needs for resolution of actions
- Act as escalation point to resolve issues and deliver creative commercial solutions to complex problems to meet business objectives
- Able to act decisively in group environments, determine recommendations from analysis / evaluations and be an effective decision-maker
- Commercial support to emerging programmes/campaigns
- Review and approve proposals
- Review and approve agreements with outside parties
- Perform and approve contractual risk assessments to balance risk and opportunities
- Both participating on and leading bid/no-bid and make/buy boards, as well as establishing processes internally with the Commercial Team as well as other programmes or functions
- Coach and mentor employees and Team Leads, as well as providing development opportunities and support to expand the capabilities of the team, maximise resources in your team and create career progression pathways
- Acts as a business leader, deploying commercial strategies that do not solely rely on contractual positions
- Collective leadership responsibility within the BDUK Vertical Lift Leadership Team
- As part of the BDUK Commercial Leadership Team proactively participate in all topics that concern the broader Commercial Function, including compliance, improvement projects, communications and reporting needs
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills / Experience):
- Excellent customer relationship management
- Leadership experience - complex projects and/or teams
- Knowledge and skilled in defence contracting and terms & conditions – drafting, interpretation and negotiating
- Strong understanding of Single Source Contract Regulations and understanding / experience of competitive procurement
- Strong, effective negotiation skills
- First-time quality, attention to detail
- Fast and effective responsiveness in a multifaceted, complex environment
- Demonstrable experience working in a matrix organisation
- Ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced, high workload
- Able to work under supervision and independently
- Experience in identifying and implementing improvement initiatives
- Effective at identifying opportunities & risks and to manage them to create enhanced value for the organisation
- A positive work attitude and inclusive team building approach, with a focus on people development
- Adaptable, able to cope with changing requirements and multiple priorities and can remain effective in difficult times
- Analytical and proficient in working with complex data to evaluate and make decisions / recommendations with a problem-solving mindset
- 10+ years of direct Commercial work history
- Candidates must have at least one year of experience in a leadership role (team leader, temp manager, large scale cross functional project/program management, or formal manager experience) OR have completed the Boeing internal course “Exploring Leadership”
Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
- Working experience 10+ years within multinational global company environment and UK defence expertise
- Professional accreditation: World Commerce & Contracting (WCC) Advanced Practitioner accreditation highly desirable.
The Boeing benefits package goes above and beyond, focusing on your physical, emotional, financial and social well-being. Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:
- Competitive salary and annual incentive plans
- Continuous learning - you’ll develop the approach and skills to navigate whatever comes next
- Success as defined by you - we’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way
- An inclusive culture - you’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs
- Excellent Adoption and Parental leave options
- 23 days plus UK public holidays and a Winter Break between Christmas and New Year
- Pension Plan with up to 10% employer contribution
- Company paid BUPA Medical Plan
- Short Term Sickness: 100% pay for the first 26 weeks
- Long Term Sickness: 66.67% of annual salary from 27th week
- 6x annual salary life insurance
- Learning Together Programme to support your on-going personal and career development
- Access to Boeing’s Well Being Programs, tool and incentives
Language Requirements: Not Applicable
Education: Not Applicable
Relocation: This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Security Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain United Kingdom Security Check.
Visa Sponsorship: Employer willing to sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Contingent Upon Award Program: This position is not contingent upon program award.
Shift: Not a Shift Worker (United Kingdom)
Head of Commercial - Vertical Lift in Gosport employer: Boeing
Contact Detail:
Boeing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial - Vertical Lift in Gosport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence industry, especially those who have ties to Boeing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Boeing's values and recent projects. Show us that you understand their mission and how you can contribute to the Vertical Lift business unit. Tailor your answers to reflect their priorities!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As the Head of Commercial, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to handle complex contracts. Role-play scenarios with a friend to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining the team at Boeing Defence UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial - Vertical Lift in Gosport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Commercial role. Highlight your experience in defence contracting and leadership, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage complex projects and lead teams effectively. This will help us understand the impact you've made in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your writing is easy to follow. This will make it easier for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our official website. This ensures that your application goes directly to us and helps streamline the process. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Boeing
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Boeing's Vertical Lift business and the specific contracts involved, like the Rotary Wing Enterprise. Brush up on UK MoD contract terms and conditions, as well as any recent developments in the defence sector that could impact the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Commercial, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams in complex environments. Highlight your experience in coaching and mentoring, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Build Relationships
Emphasise your customer relationship management skills. Be ready to share examples of how you've developed trusting relationships with clients, particularly in the defence sector. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, so demonstrating your ability to connect with others is key.
✨Be Solution-Oriented
Prepare to discuss how you've tackled complex commercial challenges in the past. Think of specific instances where you provided creative solutions or improved processes. This will show that you're not just about compliance but also about driving value and innovation within the organisation.