Head of Commercial

• Salary: £83,421 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
• Division: UKIFS - Commercial
• Site
  
  Location:
  
  West Burton, Nottinghamshire
• Confirmed Grade:
  Level 7
• Department: UKIFS - Commercial and Supply Chain

Company

Description:

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd , a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid‑century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year.

Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey.

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
  , details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

We offer a competitive salary which includes excellent benefits and outstanding pension. The salary for this role is £83,421
.

This position is to be based at West Burton,
Nottinghamshire and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

As Head of Commercial within the Commercial Division of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS), you will take a pivotal leadership role at the heart of our delivery team. You will shape, steer and safeguard the strategic contracts that power the STEP programme, ensuring our commercial partnerships fuel innovation, delivery excellence and long‑term value. Reporting directly to the Commercial Director, you will:

• Champion a robust approach to cost assurance and governance, ensuring the programme operates with clarity, confidence, and commercial discipline.
• Forge and nurture long‑term strategic alliances with our Whole Plant Partners, creating high‑impact commercial relationships that drive collaboration, accelerate outcomes and enable world‑first engineering delivery.
• Craft forward‑thinking procurement strategies and embed leading‑edge contract terms that empower suppliers to perform at their best.
• Champion alliancing principles, embedding a culture of partnership where suppliers and programme teams work in lockstep toward shared success.
• Collaborate closely with technology leads to ensure every contract is aligned with programme scope, innovation goals and the evolving supply chain.
• Act as a catalyst for growth in the UK fusion supply chain, unlocking commercial pathways that drive industry‑led advances essential to the mission.
• Lead proactive and strategic dispute resolution and contract modifications, ensuring challenges become opportunities for improvement.
• Uphold exemplary commercial governance by ensuring all contracts meet regulatory, legal and sector‑specific requirements.

• Partner with the Commercial Director to shape a world‑class commercial function at the forefront of the UK’s push towards fusion energy.
• Build, inspire and empower a high‑performing contract management team, instilling a culture of curiosity, ambition and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop team members, equipping them with the confidence, capability and commercial insight to thrive in a complex,…