Head of Commercial

Holt Executive are supporting a leading defence industry organisation on their hire for an experienced Head of Commercial to support its business growth. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience negotiating and administering contracts with key defence customers, including UK and US government agencies and major defence contractors. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead commercial activities, collaborating with Business Development and Project Management teams to develop solutions for tenders and oversee contract management.   Key Responsibilities - Lead contractual activities in tender processes, preparing responses and supporting bid approvals. - Provide commercial risk guidance to the Senior Leadership Team, advising on terms and conditions. - Draft and review agreements, ensuring compliance with due diligence policies. - Support Supply Chain teams in subcontract negotiations. - Advise and assist Project Management teams in contract execution from initiation to closure. - Resolve contractual conflicts and ensure effective risk mitigation. - Manage and develop the Commercial Team, ensuring best practices.   Skills & Experience Required   Essential: - 10+ years’ experience. - Strong knowledge of UK and international defence contracts, including pricing, financing, and contract law. - Experience negotiating contracts and working across business boundaries.    Personal Attributes: - Independent thinker with strong leadership and negotiation skills. - Ability to assess and mitigate contractual risks. - Effective manager and team leader, able to drive process improvements.   Security Clearance Due to the nature of the business, UK Security Clearance is required. Applicants must have proof of identity, employment history, and UK residency for at least five years.