About this role
Job summary
Job Summary
This position offers the opportunity to play a leading role in a once-in-a-generation hospital development as part of the NHS New Hospital Programme.
We are seeking an inspirational, commercially astute and delivery-focused professional to lead all construction and commercial activity across the Trust's New Hospital Programme, a major capital development in excess of £1bn.
As Head of Commercial, you will be central to shaping, influencing and delivering the commercial, contractual and construction strategy from design and planning through to pre-construction, enabling works, main build, and handover. Working closely with the national New Hospital Programme team and H2.0 Alliance framework, you will ensure the programme is delivered safely, efficiently, and with maximum public value.
Known for your ability to influence, negotiate and build trusted relationships, you will bring strong commercial judgement, analytical thinking, and a commitment to collaboration and continuous improvement. You will be comfortable operating in complex, politically sensitive environments and managing delivery through ambiguity and change.
This is a unique opportunity to help turn the Trust's new hospital into a reality and secure a world-class healthcare facility for future generations.
Main duties of the job
The general responsibilities of the postholder will be:
o Reporting to the Programme Director, the Head of Commercial will lead all commercial, contractual, and procurement delivery activity for the New Hospital Programme.
o The post holder will be responsible for developing and implementing robust commercial and delivery strategies, ensuring best practice across cost management, procurement, contract administration, and construction management.
o The role will provide expert leadership in the procurement and management of professional advisors and construction partners, working in partnership with the national New Hospital Programme and the H2.0 Alliance.
o The post holder will establish strong relationships with internal stakeholders, finance teams, clinical leaders, external advisors, and delivery partners to ensure the programme achieves value for money, quality, and long-term sustainability.
o The role will contribute to Trust-wide capital, commercial, and procurement strategies and support the development of internal capability across major project delivery.
About us
We are delighted to offer a wide range of benefits to employees including:
Cycle to Work Travel Scheme Childcare Vouchers with Salary Sacrifice Onsite Nursery Buying and Selling Annual Leave Car Leasing Employee Assistance Programme Employee Health and Wellbeing Extensive Reward Scheme Counselling Service Financial packages including Vivup and Wagestream Staff Networks, Enable, Rainbow, Gender, Race Equality Ecoaware & Admin Network.
Our values:
We understand that it's down to the hard work, effort and dedication of our staff that makes a difference for our patients. Our people really do make our Airedale experience - we take pride in fostering a friendly, effective and caring work environment. Our values are part of our DNA, which are:
Committed to Quality of Care Compassion Working together for patients Improving Lives Everyone Counts Respect and Dignity
Got questions before you apply, please contact the recruiting manager to find out more.
Job description Job responsibilities
Activities
Programme Commercial Leadership Provide strategic leadership for all commercial activities across the New Hospital Programme. Act as the Trusts senior professional lead for construction procurement, commercial management, and contract administration. Contribute to the overall programme vision, delivery strategy, and business case development. Represent the Trust in regional and national forums relating to capital delivery and the New Hospital Programme. Provide expert advice to the Trust Board and Executive Team on commercial and delivery matters. To deputise for the Programme Director as required and to undertake any other duties as appropriate.
Procurement and Supply Chain Management Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with programme objectives and timescales working with the Trust and AGH Solutions procurement team. Lead the procurement of professional advisors, consultants, and technical specialists. Lead, in conjunction with the national NHP team, the procurement of the construction partner through the H2.0 Alliance framework. Manage tender processes, prepare procurement documentation, evaluate bids, and negotiate contracts. Ensure compliance with public sector procurement regulations and NHS policy. Build and maintain a resilient, sustainable, and competitive supply chain. Promote early contractor involvement, collaboration, and market engagement.
Commercial and Contract Management Establish and manage commercial governance, controls, and reporting arrangements. Lead the negotiation, implementation, and administration of major contracts. Implement effective cost control and value management processes. Manage change control, claims, and dispute resolution. Ensure contracts provide predictability of outcomes and are sustainable for delivery partners. Provide expert advice on contract forms, procurement routes, and reimbursement models.
Design, Pre-Construction and Planning Provide commercial input into design development and planning submissions. Oversee pre-construction services agreements and early works packages. Ensure buildability, safety, sustainability, and operational efficiency are embedded in design. Support planning negotiations and statutory approvals. Promote modern methods of construction, digitisation, and design standardisation.
Cost Management, Forecasting and Reporting Develop and implement standardised cost management processes. Oversee externally appointed Cost Advisors and Quantity Surveyors. Support Project Managers in cost planning, viability studies, and commercial decision-making. Provide scrutiny and assurance at gateway and work stage reviews. Cost and cashflow forecasting Work with Finance and the project teams to produce accurate monthly forecasts. Lead the consolidation of project-level data into programme-wide reports. Ensure reporting meets internal and external assurance requirements. Oversee monthly reporting of actual expenditure against forecast. Ensure accuracy, transparency, and consistency of financial information
Financial Management Lead commercial input into business cases, funding submissions, and investment appraisals. Work closely with Finance colleagues to manage capital budgets and cash flow. Support audit, gateway reviews, and external assurance processes. Maximise opportunities for efficiency, savings, and value creation. Ensure financial good governance in line with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust policy.
Identification of potential sources of funding.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Master's degree (or equivalent experience) with professional qualification in quantity surveying and significant senior commercial experience
Experience Essential
Master's degree (or equivalent experience) with professional qualification in quantity surveying and significant senior commercial experience Master's degree (or equivalent experience) with professional qualification in quantity surveying and significant senior commercial experience
Desirable
Experience of large-scale infrastructure programmes (e.g. £1bn+ schemes) Experience of healthcare or acute hospital developments
Skills Essential
Strong leadership, analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage complex information and influence strategic outcomes
Desirable
Knowledge of HM Treasury Green Book and business case development processes Knowledge of digital construction approaches, including BIM
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
Address Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
Skipton Road
Steeton
BD20 6TD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.airedale-trust.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)