Head of Commercial
14 days ago
Bristol
Head of Commercial Location: Bristol or Portsmouth (hybrid working, with flexibility for commuting) Salary: £90,000-£100,000 + bonus + benefits Overview We are partnering with a global organisation operating at the forefront of the defence and aerospace sector to appoint a Head of Commercial. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering commercial strategy across a key business area reporting into the Group Commercial Director. This position offers the opportunity to lead an established commercial team while working on complex, high-value programmes in a dynamic, international environment. The Role As Head of Commercial, you will take ownership of all commercial activities across your portfolio, balancing both pre- and post-contract responsibilities. While the role spans the full commercial lifecycle, there is a strong emphasis on post-signature delivery, stakeholder engagement, and governance. A significant aspect of the role involves managing senior internal stakeholders, particularly across US-based teams, requiring strong influencing skills and the ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, global organisation. Key Responsibilities • Lead and develop a high-performing commercial team, • Drive commercial strategy and governance across a defined business area, • Oversee contract negotiation, execution, and ongoing performance, • Ensure effective risk management and compliance with regulatory frameworks, • Act as a key interface with internal stakeholders, including senior leadership in the US, • Support business growth through input into bids, proposals, and customer engagements, • Provide commercial insight to support operational and strategic decision-making About You • Proven experience in a senior commercial leadership role within a complex environment (defence, aerospace, or similarly regulated industries preferred), • Strong background across both pre- and post-contract commercial activities, • Demonstrated ability to lead and influence cross-functional and international teams, • Experience managing senior stakeholders, ideally within a global or US-facing structure, • Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to balance risk, opportunity, and delivery, • Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills What’s On Offer • Senior leadership role with real strategic influence, • Opportunity to work on high-profile, mission-critical programmes, • Hybrid working model with flexibility across Bristol and Portsmouth, • Competitive salary package including bonus and benefits If you’re looking for a role where you can combine leadership, strategy, and international stakeholder engagement within a highly respected organisation, we’d be keen to hear from you. Reach out to Jake Currie at jake.currie@arguilesearch.com.