Head of Commercial Policy & Governance

Package: £Negotiable (depending on experience)

Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight, with every other Friday as a non-working day. This role is eligible for hybrid working, meaning employees typically spend three days on site in a long week and two days on site in a short week. We support flexible working where possible, including part-time and varied working hours, so please let us know if you would like us to consider an alternative working arrangement when you apply.

Ready to play your part?

At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

We are looking for an experienced senior commercial leader to join AWE as Head of Commercial Policy & Governance.

This is a strategic leadership role responsible for defining and leading AWE's Commercial Policy, Governance, Assurance and Risk Management strategy. You will ensure the Commercial Function operates with the highest standards of compliance, integrity and effectiveness while supporting the delivery of AWE's wider business objectives.

As the senior leader for commercial governance and policy, you will provide oversight of commercial assurance frameworks, governance processes, policy development, audit compliance, trade and export controls, ESG delivery and commercial risk management.

You will build influential relationships across AWE and with external stakeholders including MOD and other government bodies, ensuring the Commercial Function remains aligned with evolving regulatory, policy and governance requirements.

Leading a specialist team, you will provide senior leadership with assurance, insight and expert guidance, supporting effective decision making and ensuring commercial policies and governance arrangements remain effective, proportionate and future-focused.

The role reports to the Commercial Enablement Director and may act as their deputy when required.

Key Accountabilities and responsibilities

• Defining and delivering the Commercial Policy and Governance Strategy, ensuring alignment with AWE's business requirements, government policy, regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including MOD, DNO, DNE and other government, regulatory and assurance bodies, representing AWE externally on commercial policy and governance matters, providing visibility of emerging changes and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
• Owning and continuously improving the Commercial Assurance Framework (CAF), ensuring effective governance, assurance and compliance arrangements across the Commercial Function.
• Leading the development, implementation and maintenance of commercial policies and governance frameworks, including Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), ESG, Social Value and other regulatory requirements.
• Providing assurance over commercial strategies, award recommendations and governance submissions, ensuring robust decision-making, compliance and risk management.
• Overseeing governance forums, including the Commercial Assurance Review Board (CARB), ensuring effective administration, reporting, action management and decision tracking.
• Leading the Commercial Function's approach to audit, assurance and compliance monitoring, identifying gaps, overseeing remediation activities and driving continuous improvement.
• Developing and maintaining the commercial risk management framework, ensuring policy, governance and compliance risks are identified, assessed and effectively mitigated.
• Acting as the Commercial Function lead for Trade and Export Controls, ensuring compliance with UK and international requirements and providing expert advice and guidance to the business.
• Partnering with the Commercial Process & Tools Team to embed governance requirements within commercial processes, systems and data, supporting ongoing digitisation and continuous improvement.
• Providing clear reporting and strategic insight on governance, assurance, risk and compliance performance to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Leading and developing a high-performing team, building capability and promoting consistent commercial standards across the organisation.
• Acting as deputy to the Commercial Enablement Director when required.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Significant senior leadership experience within a Commercial, Procurement, Supply Chain, Policy, Governance, Risk or Assurance function.
• Extensive experience of working within a complex, highly regulated organisation.
• Strong experience of working with government departments, public-sector bodies or external regulatory and governance organisations, building effective stakeholder relationships and influencing strategic outcomes.
• Extensive experience of working within a procurement or commercial environment.
• Extensive experience developing and implementing commercial policies, procedures, governance frameworks and compliance arrangements.
• Experience leading governance boards, assurance activity, audits, assessments and remediation plans.
• A strong understanding of relevant legislation, regulation and government commercial requirements.
• Experience of commercial risk management, including identifying risks and developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Knowledge or experience of UK and international trade and export controls.
• Experience developing ESG or social value strategies and embedding them within procurement or commercial activity.
• Experience overseeing commercial pipeline governance, process adherence and data integrity.
• Experience providing assurance and challenge on complex commercial strategies, procurement activity and governance submissions.
• Strong experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, including executive leadership teams and external organisations.
• Experience working across multiple organisational functions and bringing together information to provide a clear view of performance, risk and compliance.
• A business degree or equivalent proven professional experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to align organisational priorities with commercial outcomes.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex policy and regulatory matters clearly.
• The confidence to challenge constructively and manage complex or demanding stakeholders.
• The ability to operate effectively through ambiguity, changing priorities and sensitive issues.
• Strong people leadership skills, with experience developing teams and building organisational capability.
• Willingness and ability to obtain and maintain DV clearance

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