Overview

Commercial Director - Defence & Security at Arcadis, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Role description

Lead the cost and commercial management service across complex Defence sector developments (e.g., bases, infrastructure, security facilities). This is a significant managerial position with responsibility for strategic leadership, technical oversight, and commercial delivery in alignment with business and client objectives.

Role accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership
  Direct all cost and commercial management activities across major Defence projects, ensuring alignment with business plans and defence sector requirements. Develop and implement best practice processes to support successful project delivery and commercial outcomes.
• Technical & Commercial Oversight
  Provide expert guidance in cost planning, procurement, contract administration, risk management, value engineering, and financial reporting. Oversee the preparation and negotiation of contracts, claims, and change management in accordance with Defence sector protocols and regulations.
• Team Leadership
  Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration, technical excellence, and a high-performance culture. Coach and upskill team members in Defence sector standards, security protocols, and digital tools.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  Develop and maintain strong relationships with Defence clients, consultants, contractors, and supply chain partners. Represent the organisation in high-level meetings with client stakeholders, government bodies, and industry partners.
• Risk & Compliance
  Identify, assess, and manage commercial risks unique to Defence projects, ensuring robust mitigation strategies are in place. Ensure compliance with Defence security, confidentiality requirements, and relevant statutory/regulatory frameworks.
• Continuous Improvement
  Drive innovation and adoption of digital solutions in cost/commercial management to improve efficiency and reporting. Promote lessons learned and continuous improvement across the Defence portfolio.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, or a related field; MRICS or equivalent preferred.
• Experience: Significant managerial experience in cost and commercial management for large-scale Defence or secure infrastructure projects.
• Technical Skills: In-depth knowledge of Defence sector procurement, NEC/JCT/other relevant contracts, security protocols, and government regulations.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in complex, secure environments.
• Communication: Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Clearance: Eligibility for Defence sector security clearance (or existing clearance preferred).

Job details

• Seniority level: Director
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Other
• Industries: Professional Services

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone’s contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together. You’ll do meaningful work and help deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you. Together, we can create a lasting legacy. Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to bring your best self to work every day. We take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and to provide a great place to work for all our people. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.