At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead tendering strategy and oversee commercial processes for highways projects.
- Company: VolkerHighways, a leader in highways and street lighting maintenance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, private medical care, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to fairness, inclusion, and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of infrastructure projects and drive innovation in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in highways, strong commercial understanding, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
VolkerHighways is a market leader in the delivery of highways and street lighting term maintenance contracts. We build strong collaborative relationships with our clients to drive improvements and efficiency in all our activities. We have the capability to deliver major surfacing and public realm infrastructure projects. Our specialist in-house traffic management division provides expert advice and support across the industry, whilst assisting with our own, in-house contracts.
As Head of Work Winning, Commercial & Estimating, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the success of VolkerHighways' future pipeline. Based at our Hoddesdon Head Office, you will lead the end-to-end tendering strategy, ensuring excellence, compliance, and commercial rigour across all submissions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Champion corporate governance by ensuring all tender submissions are delivered in full compliance with VolkerWessels UK processes and to strict deadlines.
- Lead the end-to-end commercial and estimating process for tenders, from initial review through to pricing, governance and final submission.
- Shape and implement effective pricing strategies across term maintenance and project bids, driving competitive, commercially sound submissions.
- Identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities through robust analysis, maintaining risk registers and aligning strategy throughout the tender lifecycle.
- Oversee supply chain engagement, including enquiries, benchmarking, and evaluation of subcontractor returns to ensure value, quality, and risk mitigation.
- Ensure all commercial and estimating outputs meet required quality standards, contractual obligations, and client expectations.
- Lead post-tender activities, including commercial handover, mobilisation support, and continuous improvement through performance review and feedback.
- Build strong relationships across internal teams, clients, and supply chain partners, while supporting the development of estimating capability within the business.
About you:
- Extensive experience within Highways and Street Lighting term maintenance, with a strong commercial understanding of contract delivery models.
- In-depth knowledge of NEC forms of contract, with the ability to apply this expertise strategically across complex bids and commercial scenarios.
- A confident and credible communicator, capable of delivering clear, persuasive presentations to senior stakeholders, clients, and boards.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of accuracy and professionalism.
- A collaborative and influential leader, able to build strong relationships, foster teamwork, and drive performance across multidisciplinary teams.
If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.
Why work with us?
VolkerHighways is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerHighways are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.
We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees. We offer a range of benefits, including:
- Competitive salary
- Company car or car allowance option
- Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
- Option to buy additional annual leave
- Private medical care
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
- Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefit
- Flexible working opportunities
- Employee Assistance programme
- Mental health, physical health, and financial support 24/7 Virtual GP service
Fairness, inclusion and respect: We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.
If you need support with your application, please contact us at.
Additional information: Note for Recruitment Agencies: Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release. We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed.
VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.
Head of Work Winning, Commercial & Estimating in Watford employer: VolkerWessels UK
VolkerHighways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Hoddesdon Head Office where innovation and collaboration thrive. We prioritise employee well-being with competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and extensive training opportunities, ensuring that our team members can grow both personally and professionally. Our commitment to fairness, inclusion, and respect fosters a supportive culture, making VolkerHighways a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in the highways and street lighting sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Work Winning, Commercial & Estimating in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their projects, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your responses and show them you’re genuinely interested in VolkerHighways.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Work Winning, Commercial & Estimating. Highlight your leadership skills and commercial understanding to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Work Winning, Commercial & Estimating in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in highways and street lighting. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Head of Work Winning, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a confident communicator, it’s essential to demonstrate your exceptional written skills in your application. Use clear and persuasive language to convey your ideas, as this will reflect your ability to engage with senior stakeholders effectively.
Highlight Your Leadership Experience:We’re looking for a collaborative leader, so be sure to include examples of how you’ve built strong relationships and driven performance within teams. Share specific instances where your leadership made a difference in past projects.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application is reviewed promptly and you’ll be one step closer to joining our fantastic team at VolkerHighways!
How to prepare for a job interview at VolkerWessels UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of highways and street lighting term maintenance. Brush up on NEC forms of contract and be ready to discuss how you've applied this knowledge in past projects. This will show that you're not just familiar with the industry, but that you can also bring valuable insights to the table.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As the Head of Work Winning, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and performance improvement. Highlight any specific strategies you've implemented that led to successful tender submissions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to analyse commercial risks and opportunities. Think about past experiences where you've had to make tough decisions or manage risk registers. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you arrived at your conclusions, as this will showcase your analytical skills.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about VolkerHighways' current projects and future goals. This not only shows your interest in the company but also demonstrates your ability to foster strong relationships, which is crucial for the role.
