Commercial Associate Director - Defence

We are currently recruiting for an experienced and highly motivated Associate Director – Commercial to join our growing Defence team in Derby.Working within a highly regulated environment, you will provide strategic commercial leadership across complex programmes, ensuring successful delivery, robust commercial governance and exceptional client outcomes.This role presents an exciting opportunity to lead commercial teams, shape commercial strategy and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders while contributing to some of the UK's most significant Defence programmes.SC Clearance or eligibility to obtain it is essential.You'll be responsible for:Providing strategic commercial leadership across major programmes and portfolios.Acting as the senior commercial lead and trusted advisor to programme leadership teams and key stakeholders.Establishing and maintaining commercial governance frameworks, ensuring compliance and best practice across programme delivery.Leading commercial risk and opportunity management, ensuring informed decision-making and successful programme outcomes.Overseeing commercial performance, financial reporting, forecasting and assurance activities across multiple projects.Leading and developing high-performing commercial teams, promoting collaboration, continuous improvement and professional development.Driving commercial strategy, contract optimisation and value-for-money outcomes throughout the programme lifecycle.Supporting procurement and contract strategies, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and business requirements.Managing senior stakeholder relationships across client organisations, delivery partners and supply chains.Identifying opportunities for service growth, innovation and enhanced client value.You'll need to haveSignificant experience leading commercial functions within Defence, Nuclear, Infrastructure or other highly regulated environments.Extensive knowledge of NEC contracts, commercial governance, contract management principles and programme-level commercial assurance.Proven experience managing commercial risk, programme performance, commercial assurance activities and delivering value-for-money outcomes.Strong leadership experience, including developing and managing high-performing commercial teams and multidisciplinary project environments.Experience advising senior stakeholders, influencing strategic programme decisions and managing complex client relationships.Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline, with MRICS or other relevant professional accreditation preferred.Current SC Clearance (essential), with experience supporting major Defence or Nuclear programmes and working within complex client-side or integrated delivery environments.What's on OfferCar allowanceHybrid workingPrivate medical coverLife assuranceIncome protection insuranceCompetitive pension schemeDiscretionary annual salary reviewsFamily-friendly policies22 days annual leave + 2 Mace Days + 3-day Christmas shutdown + 1 additional day of leave for every 2 years of service + bank holidaysJob SummaryJob number: 46423Date posted : 2026-07-20Profession: CommercialEmployment type: Full-time