Job Description

Job Summary

We are seeking a motivated and broad disciplinary Head of Commercial to join our team, leading and promoting the delivery of our commercial activities. You will play a key role in the commercial culture and leadership across the organisation, responsible for coordination of contracts, bids, supplier management and client engagement under the guidance of the Board Director with responsibility for Finance and Commercial. This role is pivotal in ensuring commercial success and compliance within highly regulated defence environments, requiring proactive risk management and strategic stakeholder engagement

We are a well-regarded, close-knit team, of talented subject matter experts, renowned for our ability to deliver. Our ethos is focused on customer satisfaction, equity, teamwork, support and development, and engendering a healthy home/work life balance.

The role is on-site at the SQEP offices at the Bristol and Bath Science Park or Customer premises across the UK, with flexibility to work up to two days per week from home. The role is a full-time position, however we would be open to a part-time arrangement for the right applicant.

Responsibilities

1. Bid & Tender Management

Develop collaborative relationship with Business Development teams.

Lead the commercial preparation and submission of bids, tenders, and proposals, ensuring accuracy and compliance with client and regulatory requirements.

Oversee the review, drafting, and management of contracts with clients, partners, and suppliers.

2. Commercial Records & Contract Administration

Maintain and update commercial records, including contract registers, supplier agreements, and pricing schedules.

Ensure all contracts and agreements meet legal and regulatory standards.

3. Financial Oversight

Develop collaborative relationship with Finance teams.

Support financial modelling and pricing activities in collaboration with finance teams.

Monitor project performance, costs, and profitability, ensuring delivery to commercial and financial targets.

4. Supplier & Procurement Management

Manage procurement processes, including supplier selection, onboarding, and compliance checks.

Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships through professional account administration.

5. Client Engagement & Account Management

Act as the first point of contact for client account queries, escalating issues as necessary.

Maintain accurate client records, process invoices, monitor payment status, and support credit control activities.

6. Risk Management & Compliance

Identify and mitigate commercial risks by escalating issues promptly.

Ensure compliance with company policies, legal, and regulatory requirements in all commercial activities.

Advise on contractual commitments and obligations, ensuring satisfactory performance, and own any publication of performance measures by customer organisations.

Undertake contract reviews and compliance checks.

7. Claims and Disputes

Develop any claims under existing contracts and lead on the contractual mechanisms and valuations.

Be responsible for reporting any disputes between parties and working through initial proposals to resolve challenges with involvement of Board where appropriate.

8. Team Leadership & Collaboration

Foster a commercial culture and leadership across the organization.

Liaise with project managers and delivery teams to track project performance and support teamwork.

9. Reporting & Administration

Provide administrative and reporting support for commercial activities.

Ensure accuracy in reporting detailed financial information.

10. Diversity, Inclusion & Company Values

Promote an inclusive workplace, supporting company values and equal opportunities.

Offer flexible support for employees with limited commercial knowledge, military backgrounds or special circumstances.

Experience & Skills

Essential

Significant experience in establishing, developing and leading a highly functioning commercial team.

Specialist knowledge for highly technical contractual forms and arrangements, NDA's, DEFCONs etc.

Comfortable to advise to Board on Contractual requirements, issues and obligations, with ability to deliver proactive resolution and proportionate risk management.

Experience in account management, including invoicing, payment tracking and supporting credit control.

Experience in leading submission of bids, tenders, or procurement administration.

Confident communicator, able to liaise with clients, team, colleagues, and suppliers.

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, advance Excel skills, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Finance and SRM packages).

Desirable

Familiarity with Government contracts / Defence, Nuclear, Rail sectors (Highly Regulated Industry)

Experience of foreign nation contracting, export controls, ITAR, DoD arrangements etc.

Previous delivery through Government and Defence Procurements and Frameworks such as CCS.

Knowledge of accounts receivable/payable processes.

Understanding of project-based businesses (consultancy, engineering, or professional services).

Experience across Client side, Private Sector, and Consultancy Sectors.

Exposure to financial and commercial reporting at Board Level or equivalent.

Personal Attributes

Proactive and resourceful with a willingness to promote commercial across all areas of business and activity.

Strong teamwork and collaboration skills as well as on own initiative

Ability to perform in highly complex environments and manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Professional, confidential and customer-focused approach.

Excellent presentation and communication skills

Accuracy in reporting detailed financial information

A DBS check and enduring Security Clearance will be required for this role.

What We Offer You

Excellent salary

Annual profit related bonus *

Pension contributions *

Death in Service

30 days paid holiday plus 8 Bank Holidays per year

Private medical and dental insurance

Death in service

Support to professional registration and payment of fees

IT and phone to support remote-working

Cycle to work scheme *

Flexible working

Some elements may be linked to satisfactory completion of probationary periods.

Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to attracting and developing the best talent available regardless of race, gender or any other protected characteristic and creating an inclusive place to work.

SQEP Ltd really do live our company values, we are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we consider for interview all UK military veterans, reservists and their families. Within the context of Reserves and military family's employees, flexible support to mobilisations and training/ deployment, injury or during bereavement is also available and, also, additional leave allowance where applicable.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 57,000.00-78,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Company pension Cycle to work scheme Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Free parking On-site parking Private dental insurance Private medical insurance Sick pay
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bristol BS16 7FR