Overview
Head of Commercial - Assistance Services
Permanent | Location: Heathrow | Hours: Full time, Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week | Pay: £75,000 - £80,000 pa
Lead the commercial future of Wilson James Assistance Services. Join Our Team as a Head of Commercial. We are looking for a bold, strategic, and commercially astute Head of Commercial to take charge of our Assistance Services portfolio across multiple UK airports. This is a high-impact leadership role, working with the PRM Operations Director and Aviation Leadership Team to deliver commercial growth, efficiency, and innovation across our expanding portfolio. This role is about shaping the commercial heartbeat of our services, driving profitability, building strong partnerships, and delivering world-class service while maximising value.
Responsibilities
* Develop and execute commercial strategies that drive growth and profitability across all Assistance Services contracts
* Lead complex contract negotiations with clients, suppliers, and partners, securing competitive terms while managing risk
* Take ownership of financial performance: budgeting, forecasting, and analysing results to ensure commercial targets are met or exceeded
* Present clear, data-driven insights and forecasts to the board, influencing strategic decisions
* Identify opportunities to expand service scope with existing clients and lead business development initiatives
* Build and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders including clients, suppliers, and internal leadership teams
* Optimise pricing strategies to balance competitiveness with margin protection
* Provide commercial oversight of resource allocation, ensuring operational efficiency and SLA compliance
* Lead cross-functional teams on transformation projects, driving system and data optimisation to enable data-led decisions
* Champion commercial education across operational teams, mentoring managers to understand the financial impact of their decisions
* Ensure compliance with all contractual, legal, and regulatory requirements
* Deliver overall responsibility for savings targets, commercial reporting, and change programmes across the Assistance Services portfolio
Requirements / What We Are Looking For
* Proven experience in senior commercial leadership (Head of Commercial / Commercial Director level)
* Strong contract negotiation and governance expertise
* Track record of driving profitability and commercial transformation in multi-site operations
* Advanced Excel and complex financial modelling skills
* Strong data analytics capability (BI tools: Power BI, Tableau, SQL)
* Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
* Confident presenter at board and client level
* Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and attention to detail
* Experience in resource planning and cost optimisation
* Proven ability to lead cross-functional commercial projects
* Full UK Driving Licence (essential)
* Degree (or equivalent) in Business, Finance, Economics, or related field
Benefits
* Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
* Lifestyle Benefits – Mortgage and financial advice, vouchers for various shopping outlets and food stores, employee referral scheme
* Learning & Development – progression opportunities and various eLearning courses, on-site training, apprenticeships, and in-house training courses
* Health and Wellbeing – Life assurance scheme, access to mental health support specialists
* Access to an Online GP for you and your dependents
* Discounts on hundreds of retail sites
* Progression opportunities – many team members move to senior and site management roles
* A welcoming, respectful team culture
* Cycle to Work scheme
Additional Information
Interested? Apply now and secure your future with us! Please be aware that, on occasion, we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of strong applications.
Wilson James is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. A criminal conviction will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position, however each case will be assessed on an individual basis. For information about Wilson James\' commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, the sustainability page at wilsonjames.co.uk/sustainability.
Wilson James has been raising standards in security, construction logistics, aviation services, and technology for over 30 years. With 5,000 employees and a presence across over 300 client sites all over the UK, we deliver tailored solutions and top-tier customer service. As a leading managed service provider, we prioritise safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Joining Wilson James offers a dynamic and engaging workplace with diverse clients.
Internal Applicants
At Wilson James, we support career growth and offer internal mobility to help employees explore new roles and advance within the company. We provide clear career pathways and continuous skill development. Apply for exciting internal opportunities and new challenges.
Location: London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, Nelson Road, Hounslow TW6 2GW
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