Commercial Director

This is a senior leadership role for an experienced Commercial Director to take ownership of the commercial function at an award-winning civil engineering contractor based in Fleet, working from Farnborough. Reporting to the Managing Director and working with the senior leadership team and operational departments, you will provide strategic commercial direction and ensure projects are delivered profitably and in line with company objectives. The business delivers civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the UK, including EV charging installations, store extensions, restaurants and petrol station developments for major supermarket chains. Salary is £90,000 to £120,000 per annum.

Job Profile for Commercial Director CF47884

Bennett and Game are currently representing an award-winning civil engineering contractor based in Fleet, who are looking to appoint an experienced Commercial Director to take ownership of the commercial function and play a key role in the continued growth of the business.

Established for over 20 years, our client has built a strong reputation within the civil engineering sector and currently has a team of approximately 25 staff, with an annual turnover of around -40 million.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced commercial professional who is looking to take greater responsibility for the overall commercial performance of a business. The successful candidate will work closely with the Managing Director, senior leadership team and operational departments, providing strategic commercial direction while ensuring projects are delivered profitably and in line with company objectives.

The business delivers a range of civil engineering and infrastructure projects across the UK, working closely with major supermarket chains on EV charging installations, store extensions, restaurants and petrol station developments.

Commercial Director - Role Overview

• Take overall responsibility for the commercial function and commercial strategy of the business
• Provide senior commercial leadership across a portfolio of civil engineering projects
• Work closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team on business strategy, growth and financial performance
• Lead, manage and develop the commercial team, including Quantity Surveyors, costing staff and project planners
• Establish and maintain robust commercial procedures, systems and governance across the business
• Oversee project profitability, forecasting, CVRs, cashflow, WIP and overall commercial performance
• Drive margin improvement, cost control and effective risk management across all projects
• Act as the senior point of escalation for contractual, commercial and financial matters
• Oversee contract strategy, subcontract procurement, cost recovery and commercial negotiations
• Ensure valuations, applications, compensation events, variations and final accounts are effectively managed
• Provide commercial oversight of project performance, identifying risks and opportunities at an early stage
• Lead regular commercial reviews and provide clear performance reporting to senior leadership and the Operating Board
• Support the operational team in resolving contractual and commercial issues throughout the project lifecycle
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, subcontractors, suppliers and other stakeholders
• Play a key role in work-winning, tender strategy and the commercial review of new opportunities
• Support the development of long-term client relationships and repeat business
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial processes, systems and ways of working across the business
• Provide commercial insight and recommendations to support future business planning and sustainable growth

Commercial Director - Position Requirements

• Extensive commercial management experience within the civil engineering or construction sector
• Proven experience operating at Commercial Director, Commercial Manager or senior commercial leadership level
• Strong track record of managing and developing commercial teams
• Experience overseeing the commercial performance of multiple projects and/or a wider business function
• Strong understanding of project profitability, forecasting, cashflow, WIP and commercial reporting
• Extensive knowledge of contract conditions, with experience across NEC, JCT and bespoke forms of contract
• Strong contractual knowledge and experience managing commercial risk, entitlement and dispute avoidance
• Experience developing and implementing commercial procedures, systems and governance
• Commercially astute with a strong understanding of margin improvement and business performance
• Civil engineering project experience is essential
• Degree qualified or equivalent professional experience
• Excellent IT skills and confidence working with commercial and project management software
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence and develop teams
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Comfortable working at both strategic and operational level
• Ability to prioritise effectively and make commercially sound decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Evidence of introducing new ideas, systems or processes that have delivered measurable business benefits
• Strong relationship-building and networking skills, particularly with clients and senior stakeholders
• Member of RICS, CICES or another relevant professional body, or working towards professional membership, would be advantageous
• Full UK driving licence

What's on Offer

• Senior leadership position within an established and growing civil engineering contractor
• Opportunity to take ownership of the overall commercial function
• Significant influence over the future commercial strategy and growth of the business
• Opportunity to work closely with the senior leadership and Operating Board
• Supportive and established working environment
• Competitive salary and package, dependent on experience

Bennett and Game Recruitment are a multi-disciplined technical recruitment agency based in Chichester, West Sussex operating across the UK with specialist teams covering a range of industries.

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