Tender & Leasing Director

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Reporting to: Senior Director- Commercial Delivery & Programmes

Job level: D

Contract type : Full time | Permanent

Budget responsibility: As delegated under the Delegation of Authority

People responsibility: 3 direct reports & 3 indirect reports

Advert Closing Date: 27/10/2026

Purpose of the role :

The Leasing and Tender Director leads the development and delivery of The Crown Estate’s marine leasing, tender and procurement activities, ensuring new marine opportunities are brought to market through effective, transparent and commercially robust frameworks. With an initial focus on Future Offshore Wind and delivery of the Round 6 leasing process under the Procurement Act 2023, the role shapes the mechanisms through which long-term value is created from the seabed for the benefit of the nation. Operating across all Marine sectors, the role provides leadership for complex leasing and procurement programmes, bilateral leasing activity and strategic commercial negotiations. It ensures leasing structures, tender strategies and commercial frameworks are aligned to The Crown Estate’s strategic objectives , value creation approach and enterprise priorities. The role enables successful market facing outcomes and supports the sustainable development of the UK’s marine resources.

Main Accountabilities

- Lead and develop the Leasing and Tender function, building a high-performing team that delivers leasing, tender and procurement activity across Marine.
- Provide strategic leadership and subject matter expertise on leasing, procurement and commercial delivery, shaping Marine’s approach to bringing new opportunities to market.
- Lead the design and delivery of leasing rounds, tender processes and procurement programmes, including the Round 6 Offshore Wind tender, ensuring effective execution and successful outcomes from market engagement through to award and implementation.
- Develop market and commercial frameworks that maximise value creation, support strategic sector objectives and encourage effective market participation and investment.
- Oversee the design of leasing structures, commercial models and contractual arrangements, ensuring an appropriate balance of commercial objectives , market attractiveness, risk allocation and long-term value.
- Lead Marine's bilateral leasing approach and associated governance frameworks, ensuring consistency, efficiency and alignment with strategic objectives .
- Ensure the effective operation and continuous development of the Prospect Evaluation Framework, delivering a consistent and high-quality service across Marine portfolios.
- Build and maintain effective relationships across internal and external stakeholders, aligning commercial, legal, technical, operational and strategic priorities to support delivery.
- Maintain robust governance, compliance and risk management across leasing and tender activities, driving continuous improvement and adoption of industry best practice.

Person specification

Essential:

- Significant experience leading complex commercial, procurement/leasing or competitive allocation programmes, including the design and delivery of high-value transactions, tenders or commercial negotiations within infrastructure, energy, real estate, utilities, transport or similarly regulated sectors.
- Proven ability to develop and implement commercial, leasing or market frameworks that balance value creation, risk management and long-term strategic objectives .
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing high-performing functions, with the ability to provide strategic direction, build capability and deliver results through others.
- Strong commercial, analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to interpret market information, evaluate options and make sound decisions in complex environments.
- Excellent stakeholder management , influencing and negotiation skills, including the ability to build consensus and operate effectively with senior leaders , executive stakeholders and external partners.
- Experience leading large-scale programmes involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and complex governance requirements, while maintaining focus on delivery, quality and outcomes.
- Demonstrable experience driving operational excellence, governance, continuous improvement and organisational change within a commercial or programme delivery environment.
- Can demonstrate the behaviours of Better Together, Candour with Care, Resourceful and Accountable which are linked to our values of Together, Caring, Creative and Impactful .

Non-essential:

- Experience of public sector procurement and/or operating within regulated commercial frameworks.
- Experience within offshore wind, the wider energy sector, marine industries, infrastructure or other complex asset-based environments.
- Knowledge of the UK energy market and relevant regulatory frameworks, including Contracts for Difference (CfD), the Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) regime or comparable market mechanisms.
- Professional procurement, commercial or related qualification (e.g. CIPS) or equivalent experience.

Note: This job profile highlights the primary accountabilities for the role but is not intended to be exhaustive. The role holder is expected to work flexibly and adapt as responsibilities evolve in line with The Crown Estate’s purpose, priorities, and ways of working.

Our Offering / benefits:

As well as a competitive salary, pension and performance related bonus offering, we have a wealth of benefits available ranging from flexible working; market leading family policies and shopping discounts in the West End, to private healthcare; life and critical illness cover and 28 days holiday with the option to buy more. We value work life balance and your wellbeing highly, enabling you to be your best self to work.

Disability Disclaimer:

We are a proud disability confident employer and operate the offer of interview scheme

Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ) .

We are happy to offer alternative application methods or formats and can be flexible on our process to enable you to have the best opportunity.

If you have any questions about our recruitment process or would like to talk about adjustments, please contact us directly, or at [email protected]

Please note that if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.