Commercial Business Partner Flexible Location with Regular Travel to Portsmouth Fixed Term Contract (9 months) Part-time – 22 hours per week Band 2 / Circa £70,000 per annum (pro rata for part time hours) Serco is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Commercial Business Partner to support the delivery of a critical defence programme for the Royal Navy. The Commercial Business Partner also works closely with the Royal Navy and internal stakeholders to provide clear, accurate and timely commercial insight, supporting informed decision‑making and sustained programme confidence. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in the Vessel Replacement Programme (VRP) - a major initiative to replace the current fleet under the DMS NG contract. With 24 vessels currently in build you will be at the heart of managing commercial performance, ensuring delivery to programme, cost, and contractual expectations. As the commercial focal point for the contract, you will provide oversight of key contracted activity, including our strategic shipbuilding partner who are responsible for vessel construction. You will also act as a key interface with the customer, providing clear, confident progress updates as required. As part of this you’ll: Act as the commercial lead in managing subcontractor performance, ensuring delivery against agreed programme milestones and cost profiles Build strong, influential relationships with our Key Subcontractor and other subcontractors while holding them accountable to contractual obligations Provide clear, timely and professional commercial updates and insights to the Royal Navy customer Deliver expert commercial advice and guidance to the Head of Vessel Replacement Programme and Future Capability Support negotiation of Key User Requirements with the MOD, ensuring a balanced and controlled risk position for Serco Lead or support subcontractor negotiations (UK and overseas), ensuring robust commercial terms and acceptable risk exposure Oversee commercial change control across multiple contracts, managing variations and ensuring governance compliance Ensure delivery teams understand and operate within contractual frameworks Act as escalation point for contractual disputes, driving resolution or escalation where required Contribute to the development of commercial strategies, processes, and governance frameworks across the programme Partner with bid and operational teams to ensure seamless transition from contract award to delivery Provide commercial input into future capability and strategic development initiatives What you’ll need to do the role: You are an engaging and influential commercial professional who thrives in complex, high-stakes environments. You bring strong relationship-building skills and are confident challenging stakeholders to ensure the right outcomes are delivered. You will have: Proven experience in a build or engineering environment (maritime, infrastructure, defence, or similar) Strong experience managing subcontractors and holding them accountable to programme and cost Demonstrable experience operating within complex, multi-layered contracts Sound knowledge of commercial, contracts, and ideally maritime law Experience working with government or defence customers (MOD experience desirable) Ability to balance risk and commercial outcomes in a structured, pragmatic way Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels A diligent, detail-oriented approach with a proactive, “can-do” mindset A relevant professional qualification is desirable, or equivalent experience demonstrating strong commercial acumen SC clearance or the ability to achieve it is required Why Serco: Meaningful and vital work: In this position, your work is vital to the business, in terms of decisions and growth. You will gain a world of opportunity working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across 5 vital sectors, personal growth, achievement and development won’t be hard to find. You'll also work with great people. You’ll find yourself working in a highly motivated, supportive environment where no two days are the same, with experienced colleagues who strive for excellence. What we offer: Company car / Cash Alternative Private healthcare Bonus scheme of up to 10% on target Flexible working considered Pension – 6% Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services A company passionate about diversity and inclusion Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships. A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Simply Health Cash Plans, and more. A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco. A safe and supportive culture. About Serco At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone. By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. Apply Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000. At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.