Commercial Specialist

DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more liveable world. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, weak governance, and instability. We work with a wide range of clients, including national and local governments, bilateral and multilateral donors, the private sector.

In support of this mission, DAI’s UK Business Unit primarily services the UK Government in delivering its international development objectives. Additionally, we service other select international bilateral and multilateral development agencies.

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to join DAI's UK Business Unit as a **Commercial specialist.** This role is designed for a strategic thinker who is interested in shaping the commercial approach to winning and delivering high-impact development projects, balancing the incentives to price competitively but profitably, with the need to be able to deliver meaningful work in risky environments. As part of a collaborative small operations team, this position offers a unique opportunity to guide our commercial strategy and contribute to new business development across a range of technical areas (Health, Education, Economic Growth, Governance and Conflict).

You will be at the forefront of devising innovative bid pricing strategies and delivering commercial analysis for projects that align with DAI’s mission and values. Working with bid leads and project directors you will directly contribute to DAI’s competitiveness and impact in the global development sector.

We are looking for someone who can quicky understand the business incentives of an opportunity and working with the leadership team can translate these into a pricing/commercial approach, can lead the modelling and analysis of project budgets and support teams in putting together project budgets in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Your contributions will play a critical part in shaping DAI’s approach to market opportunities and supporting the successful execution of projects that deliver measurable social and economic benefits worldwide. This position is based in our London office and reports into the Director of Operations.

**Core Duties**

**Bid Pricing Strategy and Development**
- Develop competitive and strategic bid pricing approaches that align with DAI’s commercial targets and objectives.
- Provide commercial analysis and recommendations for bid teams, including advice on pricing models, risk assessment, and financial considerations to ensure high-quality, financially sound proposals.

**Commercial Analysis and Support**
- Act as a commercial advisor to support bid teams with budgeting, cost estimation, and strategic pricing decisions, while ensuring consistency across bids.
- Conduct quality assurance (QA) of pricing models and bid pro formas to verify compliance, accuracy, and feasibility, maintaining high standards in all financial deliverables.

**Project Support and Budget Management**
- Provide ongoing commercial support to project delivery teams, specifically in managing budgets and maintaining target project margins.
- Offer commercial insights for the budgeting of new project phases.

**Risk and Stakeholder Management**
- Support the identification and mitigation of commercial risks associated with bids and ongoing projects,
- Provide analysis to support negotiations
- **Market Analysis and Process Improvement**:

- Analyze competitor pricing and market trends to inform DAI’s commercial strategy and bid pricing approach, ensuring alignment with industry standards and competitiveness.
- Support the continuous improvements to commercial management processes and bid pricing practices to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the commercial function.

**About You**
- **Educational Background**:

- Graduate degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration Economics, Finance, Maths or a related discipline or equivalent in experience
- **Experience and Skills (desirable)**:

- Experience in developing or managing large budgets for high-value government or donor-funded contracts, particularly with entities such as the UK HMG or EU.
- Background in strategic pricing for new business opportunities and competitive tenders
- An understanding of compliance requirements for international development contracts.
- Capacity to coach, and mentor bid teams on commercial aspects (including financial planning, budgeting, and pricing strategies).
- High level of numeracy with advanced skills in Excel and data analysis.
- **Leadership and Adaptability**:

- A proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks.
- Effective communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to multitask and meet deadlines under pressure and the desire to work in a face-paced dynamic environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard