At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for major defence infrastructure projects and drive excellence in contract management.
- Company: Join Babcock, a global leader in national security and engineering.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working options and commitment to inclusivity and flexibility.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on UK defence while shaping your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and experience with NEC4 contracts required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Shape the Future of National Security Through World-Class Commercial Leadership
At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as the Head of Commercial at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
The role
As the Head of Commercial, you’ll take a leading role in supporting our Major Infrastructure Project (MIP) portfolio within the Major Nuclear Capital Programmes (MNCP) Commercial team. This is an opportunity to make an impact at national scale, shaping commercial strategy on complex Ministry of Defence programmes that play a critical part in UK defence, engineering and infrastructure.
Day-to-day, you’ll drive commercial excellence across high‑value, multi-disciplined construction and infrastructure projects, act as a trusted escalation point for complex commercial matters, and influence decision‑making at the highest levels.
- Leading the planning and delivery of multiple construction focussed contracts across major defence infrastructure programmes.
- Acting as an escalation point for complex or high‑risk commercial issues while coordinating legal advice where required.
- Developing and managing robust commercial strategies, including NEC4 contracts and pricing models, supported by your strong understanding of risk.
- Building positive relationships with suppliers, internal teams and clients to negotiate terms, scope and pricing effectively.
- Overseeing complex contract administration, change control, evidence gathering, pre‑tender estimates, cost planning, subcontract reviews, in line with robust commercial governance.
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with a minimum of 3 days in the office/onsite.
Essential experience of the Head of Commercial
- Comprehensive experience, understanding and management of NEC4 contracts.
- Proven experience managing large, complex construction contracts and bids within a regulated environment.
- Demonstrable ability to develop and maintain effective customer and supply chain relationships through collaboration in line with commercial governance.
- Work well with other functions to develop and present robust commercial reports in line with business expectations.
- Able to lead and develop large commercial teams to maximise performance.
Qualifications for the Head of Commercial
- Degree‑level qualification in Quantity Surveying, Business, Law, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Construction Management or equivalent experience.
- MRICS, World Commerce and Contracting (WCC), MICES or MCIPS - Desirable.
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is 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 share scheme.
- 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.
- ‘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.
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Babcock
We’re Babcock — a global FTSE 100 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. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 02/07/2026
Head of Commercial employer: Nuclearinst
Babcock is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site, where you can contribute to vital national security projects. With competitive compensation, generous benefits, and a strong focus on employee development, we foster a culture of collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact. Our hybrid working arrangements and commitment to work-life balance further enhance the appeal of joining our dedicated team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Nuclearinst, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Commercial at Nuclearinst.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Nuclearinst
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
