Deputy Head - Major Projects - Air-Commercial

Job summary

Join Air Commercial's Senior Management Team at an incredibly exciting time! We're committed to transforming our operations and investing in our people, processes, and relationships. Our support is in high demand across the entire commercial lifecycle, both operationally and strategically, as we deliver cutting-edge capabilities and support services for the Royal Air Force.

This role offers a unique chance to make a real impact on the Royal Air Force and UK Defence's capability, efficiency, and effectiveness. You'll lead a talented commercial team and be part of a broader network of professionals across the MOD and Government. As a Senior Leader within Air Commercial, you'll manage key stakeholder relationships, ensure we deliver a well-understood commercial service to Air Command, and maintain our credibility and reputation with industry and government.

Moreover, this position provides exceptional career growth opportunities. You'll have the chance to develop your leadership skills, expand your professional network, and gain valuable experience in a high-impact role. If you're an experienced commercial leader with the passion and drive to shape the future of the Royal Air Force through top-notch leadership and commercial practices, we want to hear from you.”

Senior Leadership Team, Air Commercial

Department Overview

The Air Commercial team is a Front-Line-Command Commercial Branch, part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Commercial Function and the Government Commercial Function (GCF). Embedded within the Royal Air Force (RAF) Headquarters at High Wycombe, with strong regional representation across the UK, we operate in a fast-paced, strategic, and progressive Military Headquarters. Here, the Air Commercial team delivers innovative commercial solutions and maximizes value for the RAF and wider Defence.

We play a crucial role in supporting Defence outputs by contracting across a diverse portfolio of requirements and mechanisms, aiding the Royal Air Force Headquarters and Space Command. Our work ensures aircraft take off and land safely, trials warfighting capabilities, and trains new recruits.

Currently, the Air Commercial Team manages a contract portfolio of £4Bn and over 200 live contracts, plus active procurements of £5.7Bn.

At Air Commercial, you will be part of a highly capable team that will challenge you and support your development. We are committed to helping you enhance your skills, knowledge, and experience. We employ talented individuals who thrive on challenges and excel in best-in-class practices.

Job description

This position falls within the Air Commercial Major Projects and Procurements Team, responsible for handling procurements exceeding £20 million and upto 1bn within the current portfolio. This includes developing a solid commercial strategy aligned with the Treasury Green Book, formulating tender documents, engaging in negotiations, and meeting requirements. The role demands adept management of stakeholders, complex intergovernmental relationships, and delivery of a diverse portfolio of activities on behalf of the RAF.

The focus is on commercial delivery and the complete procurement lifecycle of services. You will use your commercial skills to drive innovative outcomes, ensure value for money, and manage commercial risks and opportunities throughout the delivery process. As the Commercial Lead, you will oversee key commercial activities supporting the achievement of objectives and ensuring benefits are realised.

You will collaborate closely with project and programme teams while establishing extensive networks across Defence, Government, and Industry. Developing a detailed understanding of strategic commercial risks and opportunities relevant to your market and area of responsibility will be crucial. Your efforts will help Air Command achieve greater value and reduced lead times through consistent, efficient, and effective contracting approaches.

As part of the Air Commercial Senior Management Team, beyond your immediate responsibilities, you will also take on an important leadership role within Air Commercial. This includes supporting ongoing commercial transformation within Air Command and MOD and contributing to broader government commercial initiatives.

Locations
The successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. When selecting your location listed in this job advert please be aware that this will be your contractual base location with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of your working time in this organisational workplace.

Your time spent on official duties at workplace locations other than your contractual office such as supplier, customer or partner locations required to perform your role is included in the 60% attendance.

This requirement will however take into consideration any reasonable adjustments agreed upon appointment for people with a disability, flexibilities agreed for those with specific caring responsibilities, or other similar temporary flexibilities.

Person specification

The successful candidate will:

• Operate as part of the Air Commercial Senior Management Team, working collegiately to deliver Air Commercial's leadership objectives.
• Manage and oversee a commercial team and portfolio of activity, sourcing of innovative and complex major projects through to transfer to contract management activities.
• Support the production of business cases including ensuring the commercial case is drafted in line with project plans and objectives.
• Lead the lifecycle of the procurement process to enable projects to achieve their objectives and demonstrate value for money.
• Lead negotiations of projects with bidders.
• Representing projects to industry including testing commercial options to inform robust commercial strategy and maintain market appetite.
• Commercial landscape mapping both internally and externally to ensure market position and drivers are understood and Pan MOD and government LfE is being applied.
• Provide commercial leadership to project teams, energising others to deliver high quality commercial outcomes.
• Develop and contribute to a pan MOD and government network, share learning, and experience and ensure consideration and alignment with other relevant initiatives and projects.
• Contribute to the Government Commercial Function and the Defence Commercial Function through participation and support of key initiatives.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Proven ability to identify and articulate commercial risks in project delivery including understanding appropriate risk allocation and the behaviors and strategies this drives in commercial negotiation.
• Confidence to represent and defend Air Commands position in dealings with industry and other key stakeholders, ability to learn from setbacks in delivery and respond with adjusted courses of action when required.
• Proven ability to develop and deliver commercial, procurement, and market management strategies that drive competition and ensure lifecycle VfM. Essential experience in running tender activities and managing complex contracts.
• Demonstrates ability to develop and critically assess a range of commercial options and sourcing models to deliver project objectives and enable enduring project performance. Can communicate and articulate requirements in a market ready position.
• Experience of negotiating effectively at senior levels with suppliers to maximise value for money, drive innovation and continually improve services.

Benefits

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (