Commercial Executive Director
Application Deadline: 2 May 2025
Department: Commercial
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: Milton Keynes
Description
East West Rail is an infrastructure programme linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix that – improving prosperity for people and places along the way.
East West Railway Company (that’s us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way.
At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple – to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.
Role Summary:
The Commercial Executive Director plays a vital leadership role within the organisation, accountable for the strategic oversight and operational success of the commercial function. Reporting directly to senior leadership, the Commercial Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that the Directors of Commercial Strategy and Assurance, Contracts, and Procurement, along with their respective teams, achieve their targeted outcomes.
Function:
The Commercial function provides commercial and procurement capability across the programme lifecycle, including strategy (setting the commercial strategy and advising risk allocation underpinning the delivery strategy), delivering procurement activities for the goods and services required to deliver the asset and run EWR Co, and delivering contract management services for the complex network of suppliers supporting EWR Co. Across all three of these domains the commercial function will run governance and reporting to measure compliance and provide commercial assurance.
Key Responsibilities
* The Commercial Executive Director will oversee the Director of Commercial Strategy and Assurance, ensuring the alignment of commercial strategies with broader HMG and industry construction policies. This includes the thorough review of delivery models, contracts, and incentivisation mechanisms. The Exec Director will also facilitate market engagement, coordinating consistent communication with suppliers, and ensuring the development of a comprehensive commercial strategy that guarantees effective and compliant procurement of services and products. Additionally, the role involves supporting the Business Case process and exploring private financing options to optimise financial outcomes.
* In collaboration with the Director of Contract Management, the Commercial Executive Director will ensure robust governance and compliance throughout the contract lifecycle. This includes managing contractual changes, securing value for money, and systematically recording lessons learned to inform future strategies. Furthermore, overseeing the Director of Procurement, the Exec Director will ensure that procurement activities are transparent, competitive, and compliant with regulatory standards, facilitating effective market engagement and seamless support to the Contract Management Team. By driving efficient procurement processes and ensuring continuity between procurement and contract execution, the Commercial Executive Director will play a crucial role in aligning organisational goals with governmental directives, ultimately leading to the successful delivery of projects and programs.
* Responsible for managing and supporting direct reports including: coaching and developing team members to drive individual growth and operational excellence. Leading continuous improvement, through regular performance management and ensuring compliance with organisation policies and updating relevant systems.
* Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety by adopting and working to the EWR Co Health and Safety principles.
* Demonstrates a cost-conscious mindset, keeping tax payers’ money at the forefront of decisions.
* Shows a commitment to innovation by proactively seeking creative solutions to challenges and opportunities.
* Act as a role model for EWR Co’s vision and behaviours, working in ways that are aligned with EWR Co’s Ways of Working, as well as encouraging and supporting others to do so too.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Demonstrable significant senior management experience in the commercial function of a major infrastructure construction GMPP or similar.
* Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of working within large scale and technically complex projects, and the elements of procurement and contract law, other legal aspects, and corporate governance and assurance regimes in that context.
* Ability to combine a strategic view, with deep operational understanding.
* Excellent communicator and influencer, with an ability to operate collaboratively at executive committee stakeholder level, as well as at operational working level.
* Deep understanding of the requirements of the Utilities Contracts Regulations, and the likely impact of incoming legislation impacting on procurement processes and compliance.
* Deep understanding of contracts, including both NEC Works and Professional Services contracts.
* Sophisticated Market understanding across sectors applicable to EWR.
* Experience of commercial dispute avoidance and resolution techniques.
* Familiarity with interfacing at senior level with GMPP departmental and government stakeholders, including DfT, Cabinet Office, IPA and HMT.
* A successful track record and background of consistent achievement at senior management level in a complex work environment.
* Experience of working in cooperation and partnership with a wide range of internal and external bodies including statutory agencies/organisations.
* The ability to effectively organise and resource a team and complete work.
* Experience of resolving and escalating risks, issues and conflicts as necessary, excellent communication, relationship management and presentation skills.
* Strong leadership, people and team management skills and the ability to work within a complex stakeholder environment.
* Demonstrates that they can positively impact on organisational culture.
Benefits
What we offer:
• Competitive base salary
• Up to 12% employer’s pension contribution
• 36 days holiday a year (including bank holidays) + up to 2 days to buy
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Perks platform with hundreds of discounts and freebies
• On-the-spot and annual awards
• Advanced learning and development programmes
• Great work-life balance and flexible working opportunities
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Exceptional IT tools
EWR Co strives to embrace a flexible working environment, where a degree of flexibility is maintained to accommodate both the needs and preferences of employees and what is required to achieve business objectives. EWR Co will always work with any individual to assess and accommodate an individual’s work life balance and style.
Diversity and Inclusion:
To discover the best solutions, it’s important we embrace diversity of thought. That’s why we aim to ensure our colleagues feel included, engaged and valued. Inclusiveness is not a buzzword, but a way of being. Our approach to diversity is simple – a workplace where everyone is welcome and everyone is encouraged to be themselves. It helps fuel our innovation and connects us with the customers and communities we serve.
If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.
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