Head of Commercial - Vertical Lift
Company:
Boeing Defence United Kingdom Limited
An exciting opportunity has become available to join Boeing Defence United Kingdom (BDUK) as the Head of Commercial for the Vertical Lift business unit. This role is full-time and can be either based at BDUK’s Gosport office or it can be based at BDUK’s Bristol office with a requirement for weekly travel to Gosport. Hybrid working is available with a minimum of three days in office required.
About the role:
The Vertical Lift Head of Commercial in BDUK leads and is accountable for management of the BDUK Vertical Lift Commercial Team (circa 12 people), reporting to the BDUK Commercial Director and working alongside the Vertical Lift Director and their leadership team as a business partner. The Vertical Lift Commercial Team is located between Gosport (primary) and Bristol offices and occasionally works at various customer locations including Odiham and Middle Wallop. The Vertical Lift business unit has recently consolidated three contracts into the Rotary Wing Enterprise (RWE) contract: a performance-based logistics, maintenance and support services contract for the UK fleet of Chinook and Apache helicopters. The focus for the business unit is to excel in execution of this contract and grow the business unit with opportunities for both domestic and foreign customers. Your priorities will be to lead & manage your Commercial leadership team who will manage, with their teams, the day-to-day execution of the RWE single source contract; act as an effective escalation path and advisor to your team; develop & maintain a trusting relationship with your MoD customer counterpart(s); be proactive and influential in shaping, developing the strategy and implementing the approach for contracting the follow-on period for RWE; operate as a business leader for the Vertical Lift business unit for both current and future contract concerns, including future growth. The Vertical Lift business unit also works with colleagues across The Boeing Company in harnessing solutions to deliver to our UK MoD customer as well as in providing support to international contracts and proposals.
The Vertical Lift Head of Commercial serves as the customer point of contact, including escalation, for all Vertical Lift portfolio topics & issues and will have a deep understanding of UK and UK MoD contract terms and conditions with the ability to communicate contractual requirements both internally and externally to the organisation. A full understanding of programme & financial performance of contracts is expected with a full appreciation of the programme environment and emerging risks, issues & opportunities, irrespective of the extent of Commercial involvement. As part of the BDUK Commercial Leadership Team this role participates in development of Vertical Lift Commercial performance priorities & objectives and subsequent performance objectives for individuals within the team, leading people development activities for all team members and participating in functional evaluations and discussions on all related topics, supporting functional improvements and participating in ensuring all matters of compliance are undertaken by the assigned team to assure performance.
The Boeing Values & Behaviours are integral to how we all work at BDUK. You will be expected to role model and champion Safety & Quality, Trust, People Focus, Innovation and Ownership in all that you do, how you lead your team and the manner in which you engage with your customers.
Position responsibilities:
1. Responsibility to set and manage performance of the Commercial objectives of the Vertical Lift Commercial Team and to lead / facilitate effective individual development plans
2. Fully understand BDUK Commercial policies/procedures and ensure compliance with Corporate Policies/Procedures and all legislation, regulations and standards applicable to your contracts / proposals
3. Submit offers and contractually commit the company within permitted delegated authority
4. Review Statements of Work, terms and conditions, cost estimates and the determination of profit or earnings objectives. Ability to guide team on and, where required, draft terms and conditions and other contractual language.
5. Provide leadership, guidance and help needed to your team as required to support their individual development and in meeting business needs for resolution of actions
6. Act as escalation point to resolve issues and deliver creative commercial solutions to complex problems to meet business objectives
7. Able to act decisively in group environments, determine recommendations from analysis / evaluations and be an effective decision-maker
8. Commercial support to emerging programmes/campaigns Review and approve proposals
9. Review and approve agreements with outside parties
10. Perform and approve contractual risk assessments to balance risk and opportunities
11. Both participating on and leading bid/no-bid and make/buy boards, as well as establishing processes internally with the Commercial Team as well as other programmes or functions
12. Coach and mentor employees and Team Leads, as well as providing development opportunities and support to expand the capabilities of the team, maximise resources in your team and create career progression pathways
13. Acts as a business leader, deploying commercial strategies that do not solely rely on contractual positions
14. Collective leadership responsibility within the BDUK Vertical Lift Leadership Team
15. As part of the BDUK Commercial Leadership Team proactively participate in all topics that concern the broader Commercial Function, including compliance, improvement projects, communications and reporting needs.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills / Experience):
16. Excellent customer relationship management
17. Leadership experience - complex projects and/or teams
18. Knowledge and skilled in defence contracting and terms & conditions – drafting, interpretation and negotiating
19. Strong understanding of Single Source Contract Regulations and understanding / experience of competitive procurement
20. Strong, effective negotiation skills
21. First-time quality, attention to detail
22. Fast and effective responsiveness in a multifaceted, complex environment
23. Demonstrable experience working in a matrix organisation
24. Ability to handle a diverse, fast-paced, high workload
25. Able to work under supervision and independently
26. Experience in identifying and implementing improvement initiatives
27. Effective at identifying opportunities & risks and to manage them to create enhanced value for the organisation
28. A positive work attitude and inclusive team building approach, with a focus on people development
29. Adaptable, able to cope with changing requirements and multiple priorities and can remain effective in difficult times
30. Analytical and proficient in working with complex data to evaluate and make decisions / recommendations with a problem-solving mindset
31. 10+ years of direct Commercial work history
32. Candidates must have at least one year of experience in a leadership role (team leader, temp manager, large scale cross functional project/program management, or formal manager experience) OR have completed the Boeing internal course “Exploring Leadership”
Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
33. Working experience 10+ years within multinational global company environment and UK defence expertise
34. Professional accreditation: World Commerce & Contracting (WCC) Advanced Practitioner accreditation highly desirable.
The Boeing benefits package goes above and beyond, focusing on your physical, emotional, financial and social well-being. Here’s a snapshot of what we offer:
35. Competitive salary and annual incentive plans
36. Continuous learning - you’ll develop the approach and skills to navigate whatever comes next
37. Success as defined by you - we’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way
38. An inclusive culture - you’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs
39. Excellent Adoption and Parental leave options
40. 23 days plus UK public holidays and a Winter Break between Christmas and New Year
41. Pension Plan with up to 10% employer contribution
42. Company paid BUPA Medical Plan
43. Short Term Sickness: 100% pay for the first 26 weeks
44. Long Term Sickness: 66.67% of annual salary from 27th week
45. 6x annual salary life insurance
46. Learning Together Programme to support your on-going personal and career development
47. Access to Boeing’s Well Being Programs, tool and incentives
Language Requirements:
Not Applicable
Education:
Not Applicable
Relocation:
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Security Clearance:
This position requires the ability to obtain United Kingdom Security Check.
Visa Sponsorship:
Employer willing to sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Contingent Upon Award Program
This position is not contingent upon program award
Shift:
Not a Shift Worker (United Kingdom)