Contract Delivery Lead - Estates & Liabilities

Commercial Lead – Major Estates and Infrastructure Contract Delivery Lead | Senior Leadership Role

Location: Reading, Berkshire

Package: Competitive leadership salary depending on experience, performance related bonus, flexible benefit scheme.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day. This role is eligible for hybrid working, meaning employees typically spend three days on site in a long week and two days on site in a short week. We support flexible working where possible, including part-time and varied working hours.

About the role

Lead the commercial delivery of one of the UK’s most complex operational estates. At AWE, our work helps keep the nation safe. We are seeking an experienced commercial leader to oversee contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds annually across estate maintenance, utilities, asset renewal, enabling works, demolition and infrastructure investment. Leading four Principal Contract Managers and their wider teams, you will work with executive stakeholders, senior programme leaders and strategic suppliers to shape delivery, investment and commercial outcomes across the estate. This is a highly visible role with significant organisational influence and exposure to some of AWE's most important infrastructure decisions.

Key responsibilities

• Set the commercial direction, priorities and performance expectations for a strategically important Estates & Liabilities portfolio
• Develop and implement commercial strategies that maximise value, improve performance and effectively manage risk
• Provide robust commercial oversight of contractual obligations, performance measures, change management, claims, disputes, financial mechanisms and governance requirements
• Partner with engineering, operational and programme leaders to translate investment priorities into deliverable commercial strategies
• Lead complex negotiations and provide strategic direction on major commercial and contractual decisions
• Lead AWE's commercial relationships with strategic suppliers, strengthening performance, accountability and long‑term value
• Develop the capability, performance and succession strength of a sizeable commercial organisation led through four Principal Contract Managers and their wider teams
• Champion commercial governance, assurance and decision‑making across a complex and evolving portfolio

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience leading commercial teams across major infrastructure, estates, utilities or capital investment portfolios
• A track record of developing commercial strategy, leading complex negotiations and improving outcomes in high‑value contracting environments
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and commercial decisions in complex organisations
• Strong commercial, contractual and risk expertise gained in infrastructure, defence, nuclear, energy or another regulated sector
• A relevant degree or equivalent experience; professional membership of RICS, CICES or a similar body would be advantageous

We value experience, judgement and leadership capability above any single career path. If the opportunity excites you but you do not meet every requirement, we would still encourage you to apply. You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role.

Benefits

• 9‑day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions)
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 weeks full pay and Paternity Leave – 4 weeks full pay
• Opportunities for professional career development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• Life assurance (4 x annual salary)
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special leave policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring

Eligibility and Disclosure

You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role. This will be funded by AWE.

The nature of our work means you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.

We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

About AWE

AWE plays a key role in the UK’s defence and security mission. We are at the start of a once-in-a-generation programme to design and produce a replacement warhead for the UK’s continuous at‑sea deterrent, while continuing to deliver the Trident programme and managing ambitious state‑of‑the‑art capital and construction projects—some of which have never been done before.

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