Commercial Director

Job Description

Overview The Commercial Director for the Buildings & Places business is a key member of the business leadership team, responsible for driving commercial excellence, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, and delivering strategic business outcomes. This role will inspire and evolve our commercial, risk and procurement function, to support sustainable growth and client satisfaction.

Job Location:

Across UK hubs (London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol).

• Collaborate with client-facing teams to identify and develop new business opportunities through innovative and commercially sound structures.
• Shape and operationalize commercial strategies that drive profitable growth, staying ahead of industry trends and regulatory changes.
• Influence regional and global commercial policies to align with evolving client needs and maximize value to the business.
• Maintain alignment with the company’s purpose, values, and aspirations in all commercial activities.

• Lead and grow a high-performing team of commercial, risk, and procurement professionals (currently 6 FTE), fostering innovation and talent development.
• Promote commercial acumen across the division through training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
• Build strong relationships with divisional leaders to anticipate and meet future commercial function demands.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior commercial stakeholders within our clients.

• Lead commercial and risk governance for the Buildings & Places business as well as being the commercial lead for specific major projects and frameworks.
• Provide strategic guidance and hands‑on support to secure new contracts, working closely with client-facing teams.
• Act as the relationship lead for key clients and supply chain partners, and as the point of escalation for significant issues and disputes.
• Own and manage the division’s commercial risk profile, including the development and oversight of risk mitigation frameworks and supporting processes for both pre and post contract.
• Act as the primary liaison with Legal, focusing on contract approvals and commercial dispute resolution.
• Support other business units and regions as an objective reviewer for large and complex opportunities (Red Reviewer).
• Champion and optimize key commercial systems such as iGate and PAS.
• Support the Direct Procurement Function(s) in executing contracts and managing commercial engagements with partners and suppliers.

• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in commercial practices, ensuring the business remains competitive and responsive to market changes.
• Embed excellence in commercial execution through proactive leadership, creating efficiencies through use of technology as well as offshore capability combined with collaboration from other functions.

• Proven senior leadership experience, ideally within a growing consultancy, professional services, or delivery contractor business.
• Hands‑on commercial leader.
• Experience managing commercial teams within multi‑disciplinary project environments.
• Strong commercial acumen with expertise in risk management, governance, assurance, and compliance.
• Demonstrated success working with large public and public sector clients.
• Familiarity with NEC and other industry contracts is essential.
• Experience working in large organizations with robust governance frameworks.
• Skilled in business management, data‑driven decision‑making, and balancing internal risk with evolving client needs.
• Track record of operating across company boundaries, including Joint Ventures and complex stakeholder environments.
• Ability to lead both as a divisional senior leader and a subject matter expert in commercial strategy.
• Strategic and operational leadership with a clear vision aligned to industry best practices and regulatory trends.
• Collaborative and influential communicator with strong leadership, presentation, and persuasion skills.
• Passionate about people and culture, acting as an ally for inclusive and sustainable growth.
• Goal‑oriented, persistent, and…