Commercial Director – Civils NEW

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Hays Construction and Property

Your new company
You will be joining an award-winning and multi-accredited contractor based in Huntingdon with a strong reputation for delivering high quality projects across a diverse range of sectors. Due to continued growth, they are actively seeking a Commercial Director to provide strategic leadership across a substantial project portfolio. This is a board-facing opportunity for a commercially astute leader who can influence business strategy, drive profitability and build a high-performing commercial function capable of supporting long-term growth.

This is a full-time permanent position based out of their Huntingdon office with hybrid working.

Working hours: 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday

Your new role
As Commercial Director, you will lead and control all commercial activities across a specialist arm of the business, ensuring projects are secured and delivered in line with margin expectations while protecting contractual position, managing risk and maximising cash flow. Reporting at a senior level, you will play a critical role in shaping commercial strategy and supporting the wider business objectives.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Owning the commercial strategy across the specialist division and ensuring projects align with profitability targets and risk appetite
• Leading the estimating and bid function, including tender adjudication, pricing strategy and bid approvals
• Overseeing contract administration across live projects, ensuring compliance with NEC, JCT and bespoke contract forms
• Managing contractual matters including early warnings, compensation events, variations, claims and final accounts
• Reviewing and approving CVRs, project forecasts and commercial performance reporting for Board-level review
• Managing commercial risk throughout the project lifecycle, including subcontract agreements, insurance requirements, bonds and guarantees
• Leading procurement and negotiation of major subcontract and supply chain packages
• Driving cash flow performance through effective payment applications, valuations and debt recovery processes
• Leading, mentoring and developing a team of Commercial Managers and Quantity Surveyors
• Building and maintaining senior-level relationships with clients, consultants, principal contractors and supply chain partners
• Supporting business development initiatives, framework opportunities and client presentations
• Acting as a trusted commercial advisor to the Board and deputising on commercial matters when required.

What you’ll need to succeed
To be considered for this role, you must have:

• Degree/HNC/HND in Quantity Surveying (or similar qualification) or experience equivalent
• Senior commercial leadership experience within civil engineering, earthworks, groundworks or construction
• A proven track record managing multi-million-pound project portfolios and leading successful commercial teams
• Strong knowledge of NEC and JCT forms of contracts
• Excellent commercial acumen with advanced negotiation, forecasting and risk management capabilities
• Confidence and credibility to influence stakeholders at Board, client and senior leadership level
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across operational sites as required.

What you’ll get in return
In return, you’ll join a well-established and growing business where you’ll have genuine influence over commercial strategy, operational performance and future growth.

Benefits include:

• Starting salary up to 120,000 per annum (negotiable depending on experience)
• Company car or car allowance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Fuel card
• Pension
• Hybrid working (2 days remote per week)
• Private healthcare
• Recognition and long-service reward schemes
• Multiple family-friendly benefits and retail discounts
• Opportunity to influence the future direction of a well-established and ambitious contractor.

What you need to do now
If you’re interested in this role and meet the criteria above, click ‘apply now’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Please note: VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

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