Reports to: Group Business Development Director
Location: Manchester
Salary: Up to £70k with benefits package
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Major Projects & Bids will provide strategic leadership and full accountability for the Major Projects Division within a utility company with turnover up to £500m+ per annum. This role will lead the function responsible for securing, delivering, and commercially managing all high-value projects, ensuring sustainable growth, operational excellence, and client satisfaction.
The role will have direct line management of the Head of Commercial Major Projects and the Head of Operational Delivery Major Projects, bringing together commercial strength, operational delivery, and bidding expertise under one leadership structure.
Key Responsibilities
Divisional Leadership
* Lead, manage, and be fully accountable for the Major Projects Division, covering bids, commercial, and operational delivery.
* Set the strategic direction for the division, ensuring alignment with the company's growth trajectory towards £500m+ turnover.
* Drive collaboration across functions to deliver commercially robust, operationally deliverable, and client-focused outcomes.
Major Projects & Bids
* Provide overall leadership of the bid process for all major projects, frameworks, and tenders.
* Develop and oversee winning bid strategies, ensuring they are competitive, compliant, and aligned with long-term business growth.
* Ensure governance, risk management, and compliance are embedded into all bids and project mobilisation phases.
Operational & Commercial Oversight
* Oversee the delivery of major projects, ensuring safety, quality, budget, and programme commitments are achieved.
* Ensure robust commercial management practices are embedded, driving profitability and contract compliance.
* Work closely with the Head of Commercial and Head of Operational Delivery to resolve issues, mitigate risks, and optimise performance.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
* Act as the senior point of contact for key clients, partners, and industry stakeholders across the Major Projects portfolio.
* Build long-term relationships that enhance the company's reputation as a Tier 1 contractor within the utilities sector.
* Represent the division at board and executive level, providing regular reporting on pipeline, delivery performance, risks, and opportunities.
Continuous Improvement & Growth
* Drive innovation, best practice, and continuous improvement across bids, commercial, and delivery functions.
* Introduce new tools, processes, and frameworks to improve efficiency, collaboration, and win rates.
* Play a central role in identifying and securing strategic growth opportunities, frameworks, and alliances.
Key Skills & Experience
* Extensive leadership experience across major projects in utilities, infrastructure, or construction.
* Proven track record in bids, commercial management, and operational delivery of high-value, complex projects.
* Strong commercial acumen, with deep knowledge of contracting principles, frameworks, and client governance.
* Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at executive and client level.
* Ability to lead and inspire multi-disciplinary teams, driving collaboration and accountability.
* Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on delivery capability.
Key Measures of Success
* Growth of the Major Projects Division in line with the companys £500m+ turnover ambition.
* Delivery of high-quality, commercially robust bids with improved win rates.
* Successful, safe, and profitable delivery of projects within budget and programme.
* Strong feedback from clients and executive leadership on performance, collaboration, and innovation.
* Increased efficiency and alignment across bidding, commercial, and operational delivery functions.
* Enhanced reputation as a market leader and Tier 1 contractor in the utilities sector.
* Contribution to the company's reputation as a leading Tier 1 contractor across the utilities sectors.