The posting
Job Description
There has never been a more exciting time to join Heathrow.
As we prepare for a proposed £10bn capital delivery programme between 2027 and 2031, we're looking for commercially astute procurement professionals who want to play a key role in shaping the future of one of the world's most complex infrastructure environments.
Joining Heathrow at this moment means stepping into a high-energy, high-calibre and deeply collaborative environment, where you'll work alongside experts across engineering, construction, operations and commercial functions to deliver projects that will leave a lasting legacy for millions of passengers.
From terminal developments and baggage systems to major airfield projects and critical infrastructure upgrades, this role sits at the heart of Heathrow's transformation programme. You'll lead the end-to-end commercial lifecycle, taking projects from procurement strategy and sourcing through to contract award, implementation and post-contract management.
Working closely with senior stakeholders, project teams and suppliers, you'll develop innovative procurement strategies that maximise value, manage risk and support the successful delivery of Heathrow's ambitious capital investment portfolio. In doing so, you'll help deliver not only commercial outcomes, but also our wider ambitions around sustainability, operational excellence and creating a world-class experience for passengers.
This is a unique opportunity to influence some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects while building strategic supplier partnerships that will shape Heathrow's future for decades to come.
Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end procurement and commercial management of complex infrastructure and capital works projects, from sourcing strategy and market engagement through to contract award and contract management.
- Develop and deliver innovative procurement strategies for high-value programmes, ensuring alignment with business objectives, market opportunities and long-term value.
- Ensure procurement activities comply with Heathrow's governance framework, delegated authorities and approval requirements.
- Review and challenge project cost plans, estimates and commercial assumptions to ensure affordability, value for money and alignment with procurement and delivery strategies.
- Manage strategic sourcing activities across complex spend categories, driving commercial value, operational efficiency and effective risk management.
- Partner with project teams, senior stakeholders and suppliers to shape commercial approaches, challenge plans, maximise value and drive continuous improvement.
- Oversee contract and supplier performance management, including contractual obligations, claims management, savings delivery, risk mitigation and benefits realisation.
- Follow innovative commercial models and industry best practice while embedding responsible procurement principles and supporting Heathrow's sustainability ambitions.
Qualifications
We're looking for commercially-minded professionals who combine strong procurement expertise with the ability to influence stakeholders and manage complex supplier relationships.
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable experience managing the full commercial lifecycle, including procurement, contract award and post-award contract management.
- Proven experience leading sourcing and commercial activities for large-scale infrastructure, construction or capital works projects, typically valued at £10m+ and often exceeding £100m.
- Strong experience working within NEC4 contracts, or equivalent, alongside developing procurement strategies and leading complex commercial negotiations.
- Track record of delivering projects that achieve business affordability, value and performance objectives.
- Experience building and influencing effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders across complex matrix organisations.
- Professional qualification, or working towards qualification, such as MCIPS, MRICS, APM, CEng or equivalent.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience applying commercial approaches and procurement best practice within major infrastructure or capital programmes.
- Understanding of supplier performance management, claims management and commercial risk mitigation.
- Experience supporting sustainability, responsible procurement or social value objectives within sourcing and contracting activities.
#LI-Hybrid
About Us
There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.
Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.
It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.
Join us on that journey and we'll help you achieve your ambitions too. Supporting you to learn, encouraging you to be yourself, backing you to achieve more than you might ever have imagined. Because there’s no place like Heathrow.
Our rewards
We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance-based annual bonuses and our longer-term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market-leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.
Working Location
Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.
Sustainable Travel to work
Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide sets out easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.
Equal Opportunities
As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe, every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.
Discover a one-of-a-kind career. Our vision at Heathrow is to be an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. In the Finance team we know that generating income is critical to driving our business forward, but it’s also vital that we create positive passenger and customer experiences that make every journey better. You’ll help us to get the balance right so we can continue investing in our world-class environment.
There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Heathrow’s size, scale, and reputation for innovation translates to exciting opportunities for everyone. Finance here is about more than numbers. It’s about being influential, developing trusted relationships, and showing the world that we’re a responsible investment with a bright future; a place that embraces digital innovation and has a sustainable mindset. You’ll become part of a team that drives excellence across everything from insurance to investment, treasury to business partnering, as you collaborate widely to deliver projects that directly impact millions of passengers each year.
