At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial growth strategy and drive high-value bids for innovative energy solutions.
- Company: Join a leading centre focused on decarbonisation and cutting-edge energy technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of energy while collaborating with industry leaders.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of the energy transition and make a real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in commercial growth and experience in the energy sector.
The predicted salary is between 69488 - 73709 £ per year.
Salary range: £69,488 - £73,709 per annum
FTE: 1
Term: Open-ended
Closing Date: 12 July 2026
Location: PNDC, Wardpark, Cumbernauld, G68 0EF and ANZIC, Inchinnan, PA4 9AF
PNDC is one of the University of Strathclyde's flagship industry-facing centres focusing on power networks, decarbonised heat, and decarbonised transport. We validate the future of energy, de-risk it, and accelerate it to market. Working at the intersection of policy, industry, and deep technical capability, we are where breakthrough technology becomes deployable reality. With the 2025 launch of our Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre (ANZIC), we are significantly scaling our capacity to test and integrate high-power net-zero solutions across transport, heat, power electronics, electric machines, and whole energy systems.
The Commercial Director is a senior leadership role responsible for owning and driving PNDC's commercial growth strategy, translating world-class technical capability into sustained revenue, deep industry partnerships, and measurable real-world impact. Reporting to the CEO, the Commercial Director will lead business development, major bids, stakeholder engagement, and the commercial functions across both PNDC facilities.
We are seeking an exceptional Commercial Director to join our Senior Leadership Team, a strategically sharp, commercially driven leader who can translate PNDC's world-class technical capability into sustained revenue growth, deep industry partnerships, and measurable real-world impact. This is a role for someone who understands that the most valuable thing you can offer a network operator, technology provider, or policymaker is certainty, ensuring they have the confidence to invest, collaborate, and commit.
You will own the commercial strategy, lead high-value bids, and build the relationships that convert PNDC's innovation pipeline into long-term commercial success. Working closely with the CEO, CTO, and Operations Director, you will own the rolling 5-year financial strategy and business plan, ensuring our two facilities remain at high utilisation while growing the breadth and depth of organisations we serve on a direct commercial basis.
You will lead multiple £1m+ bids annually, drive cross-faculty strategic partnerships, and ensure that PNDC's commercial reach extends well beyond its own walls. You will take full ownership of the business development function, optimising the sales process, building robust pipelines, and driving conversion with the pace and rigour that industry demands.
You will strengthen government and policy relationships to position PNDC at the centre of funding opportunities as the energy transition accelerates. And you will ensure our marketing and communications punch at the level our ambition demands, raising PNDC's profile nationally and internationally as a leading force in decarbonisation.
IP commercialisation, governance, KPI delivery, and cross-university collaboration all sit within your remit. You will deputise for the CEO and represent PNDC with customers, partners, government, and across the University of Strathclyde.
You will be a commercially proven leader with a track record of driving growth in a technically complex, innovation-led environment. You will bring experience of winning and delivering large-scale bids, building industry partnerships from the ground up, and navigating the intersection of public funding and private investment. You will understand the energy sector, or can move fast in it, and you will have the presence and credibility to operate at a senior level across industry, academia, and government.
You will be strategically ambitious and operationally rigorous, someone who sees the scale of the Net Zero transition not as a constraint, but as the opportunity of a generation.
Commercial Director in Cumbernauld employer: PNDC
At PNDC, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of energy innovation, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and growth. As a Commercial Director, you will be part of a passionate team dedicated to driving decarbonisation efforts while enjoying competitive remuneration and opportunities for professional development. Our culture encourages creativity and strategic thinking, making it an ideal place for leaders eager to make a meaningful impact in the energy sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director in Cumbernauld
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director in Cumbernauld
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to PNDC.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of PNDC. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at PNDC
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with PNDC, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at PNDC, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for PNDC could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at PNDC as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
