VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting

VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting

Full-Time No working from home possible
Rolls-Royce plc

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead commercial strategies and negotiate contracts in the aviation sector.
  • Company: Join Rolls-Royce, a leader in innovative aviation solutions.
  • Benefits: Generous leave, retirement savings, life assurance, and share ownership opportunities.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diverse perspectives and fostering innovation.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of aviation with cutting-edge technology and impactful leadership.
  • Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience in customer-facing roles required.

Full Time – Hybrid Derby

Why join Rolls-Royce? At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performing culture.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a VP Commercial - Sales & Contracting to provide senior leadership and commercial input to General Counsel teams and wider Business population, specifically in connection with our Sales and Contracting activity.

Key Accountabilities
  • Sales Campaigns: Work as part of and support other members of the S&C team, working as part of Integrated Campaign Teams (ICT) under the SVS process, to provide commercial input to the development of the sales strategy, challenging the Business Evaluation Team, Sales Directors, VP Sales and VP Customers, as appropriate.
  • Strategy and Tactics: Work with Sales to influence customers to select Rolls-Royce's preferred service structures, service levels and guarantees that provide greatest competitive advantage to Rolls-Royce and minimise the impact of identified competitive disadvantages, using customer perspective modelling, where applicable.
  • Contracting: Support or lead, where appropriate, the drafting, negotiating and amendment of allocated proposals and contracts in accordance with all relevant processes.
  • Risk Management: At all phases of a sales campaign, identify and assess potential risks and liabilities inherent in the negotiation of proposals and contracts, proposing and negotiating amendments to manage, minimise or mitigate such risks or liabilities, in line with the company risk appetite, whilst achieving the expected financial returns.
  • Governance and Oversight: Provide support to team and others with internal approvals, elements of drafting and discussion and coordination of inputs from subject matter experts.
  • Precedent contracts: Make recommendations for best practice for precedent language and principles that are 'fit-for-purpose' for the business requirements, in support of the Company's drive for increase in pace, scalability and management of risk.
  • Leadership: To provide technical supervision/coaching to Commercial team and wider Sales and Account Management teams. Represent the General Counsel function and business on issues and initiatives. Provide leadership of allocated objectives and continuous improvement initiatives within the General Counsel function. Be part of the leadership team for General Counsel Commercial Contracting Team.
Key Experiences and Qualifications
  • Well-developed interpersonal, diplomacy, communication, influencing and negotiations skills.
  • Demonstrated internal/external Customer-facing negotiating/pricing/claims experience at the most senior levels.
  • Ability to solve complex problems while maintaining customer focus.
  • Sound Commercial judgement and business acumen.
  • Demonstrated success in developing and coaching individuals.
  • Highly motivated and capable of working under own initiative.
  • Ability to prioritise workloads to meet demanding deadlines under pressure.
  • Experience of influencing both at a functional and task level, as well as at senior levels of the organisation.
  • Demonstrated success in delivering major change/improvement projects.
Regional Benefits
  • Generous Annual Leave.
  • Retirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings Trust.
  • Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce Group.
  • Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury.
  • Your Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free!

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade. It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role. Grade: Management Level B.

For more information, please contact: Alison Connaughton alison.connaughton@Rolls-Royce.com.

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.

Job Category: Commercial

Posting Date: 03 Aug 2026; 00:08

Posting End Date: 13 Aug 2026

VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting employer: Rolls-Royce plc

Rolls-Royce plc is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and excellence are at the forefront. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to extensive training opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge technology in the power generation sector. The supportive culture and focus on work-life balance make this role not only rewarding but also a great place to grow your career while travelling across the UK.

Rolls-Royce plc

Contact Details:

Rolls-Royce plc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting

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We think you need these skills to ace VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting

Sales Strategy Development
Contract Negotiation
Risk Management
Customer Relationship Management
Interpersonal Skills
Influencing Skills
Commercial Judgement

Some tips for your application 🫡

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How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-Royce plc

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

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Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

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