Head of Service – Highways Commercial Delivery

Lake Champlain Chamber

. Lead a team of more than 80 colleagues .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timePreston • United KingdomLead💰 £80,401 - £87,928 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in commercial and contract management within highways and infrastructure, with a strong focus on financial controls, supplier performance, and strategic development of commercial strategies. Proven ability to lead large teams and drive improvement through digital innovation and customer insight.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Commercial ManagementContract ManagementFinancial Decision-MakingSupplier Performance ManagementTeam Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Commercial Strategy DevelopmentContract Frameworks (NEC)Budget OwnershipCost AssuranceRisk ManagementProcurementFinancial ControlsPerformance ManagementDigital TransformationCustomer Insight

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsInfluencing SkillsRelationship ManagementTeam MotivationLeadership

Tools & Technologies

Business IntelligenceDigital InnovationISO 9001CDM Regulations

Certifications & Qualifications

Chartered Status (RICS, CICES, CIHT)Relevant Degree-Level Qualification

Industry Keywords

HighwaysInfrastructureComplex Contract ManagementMixed-Economy Delivery ModelsSustainable ProcurementSocial Value ProcurementConstruction Contract LawDispute Resolution

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead a team of more than 80 colleagues
Take strategic responsibility for commercial and contractual management of a significant highways portfolio
Ensure contracts, suppliers, procurement activity and financial controls deliver strong performance and value for money
Lead development of commercial strategies
Oversee the full commercial lifecycle from market engagement and procurement through mobilisation, contract management, cost assurance and supplier performance
Provide expert advice to senior leaders and elected members
Manage risk and challenge performance and expenditure
Support well-informed decisions about service delivery
Develop new commercial and partnership models, including mixed-economy approaches
Drive improvement through digital innovation, business intelligence and customer insight
Lead commercial and contract management across highways services in Lancashire

Requirements

What you’ll need

Relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in quantity surveying, commercial management, supplier management, civil engineering or a related discipline
Chartered status, or willingness to work towards it, with a relevant professional body such as RICS, CICES or CIHT
Significant experience of commercial and contract management within highways, infrastructure or another complex contract-managed environment
Experience managing high-value contracts, programmes or commercial portfolios
Strong knowledge of commercial and contract management principles, including NEC or equivalent contract frameworks, procurement, governance and financial controls
Ability to develop and lead commercial strategies and delivery models that improve productivity, efficiency and value for money across complex services
Strong financial and cost-management capability, including budget ownership, forecasting, financial decision-making and oversight of significant capital and revenue programmes
Experience of supplier and contractor performance management and managing commercial risk
Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-management skills
Ability to lead, motivate and develop teams
Knowledge of customer experience, business intelligence, digital transformation, CDM Regulations, mixed-economy delivery models, sustainable and social value procurement and ISO 9001
Ideally, knowledge of construction contract law, dispute resolution and commercial risk management, or experience developing innovative commercial delivery models or transformation programmes
Must address and evidence all essential criteria from the person specification at application stage

Benefits

Comp & perks

26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Flexible working opportunities
Health and wellbeing support
Family-friendly policies
Financial and travel benefits
Training and development opportunities
Competitive salary