At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategies and negotiate contracts in the aviation sector.
- Company: Join Rolls-Royce, a leader in innovation and engineering excellence.
- Benefits: Generous leave, retirement savings, life assurance, and share ownership opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diverse perspectives and fostering growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aviation with a dynamic team and impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience in customer-facing roles required.
The predicted salary is between 48150 - 58850 £ per year.
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-performance 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: 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 in Derby employer: Rolls-royce
At Rolls-Royce, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in our Bristol/Hybrid location. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities to engage in meaningful projects that shape the future of technology. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our collective success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting in Derby
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Rolls-royce for a VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace VP Commercial - Commercial Aviation Contracting, Sales & Contracting in Derby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Rolls-royce, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Rolls-royce, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rolls-royce
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Rolls-royce.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Rolls-royce. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Rolls-royce love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
