Commercial Director

About the Company We are supporting a leading contractor with the appointment of a Commercial Director to oversee contracts and commercial management across a portfolio of major building projects. About the Role Reporting directly to the CEO, this role will bridge the gap between project commercial teams and executive leadership, providing clear oversight of contractual matters, cost performance, payment applications and commercial risk. The position requires a hands-on commercial leader with extensive main contracting experience in buildings, capable of challenging project reporting, resolving contractual issues and ensuring the CEO has an accurate understanding of each project’s commercial position. Responsibilities • Lead the commercial and contractual management of major building projects, ensuring consistent oversight across the portfolio. • Act as the principal link between project commercial teams and the CEO, presenting clear reporting on costs, payments, contractual exposure and required decisions. • Oversee contract administration, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, notices, submission requirements and key deadlines. • Review and challenge project budgets, cost reports, forecasts and cost-to-complete assessments, identifying overruns and driving corrective action. • Oversee the preparation, substantiation and timely submission of interim payment applications (IPAs), monitoring certification, payment and outstanding amounts. • Review project cash flow forecasts and work with project teams to address delayed certifications, overdue payments and retention recovery. • Provide direction on variations, claims and extensions of time, ensuring contractual entitlement is supported by appropriate records and submissions. • Lead negotiations with clients, consultants and subcontractors on contractual matters, valuations, variations and final accounts. • Oversee subcontract commercial management, including payment assessments, variations, claims and final account settlements. • Hold regular commercial reviews with project directors and commercial managers, challenging reported positions and ensuring agreed actions are completed. • Identify and escalate contractual and commercial risks to the CEO, with clear recommendations and mitigation plans. • Lead and develop project commercial teams, strengthening accountability, reporting accuracy and commercial discipline. Qualifications • Degree in quantity surveying, commercial management or a relevant construction discipline. Required Skills • 20+ years of experience in commercial and contracts management within main contracting, with a strong track record on major building projects. • Currently operating at Director level or in a comparable senior commercial leadership position within a tier-one main contractor. • Extensive experience overseeing multiple building projects and providing direct commercial reporting to executive leadership. • Strong knowledge of construction contracts, including FIDIC, contractual notices, payment provisions, variations and claims. • Proven capability in cost management, cost reporting, forecasting and assessing project profitability. • Substantial experience managing IPAs, payment certification, collections and project cash flow. • Strong negotiation skills, with experience resolving contractual issues and concluding complex final accounts. • Ability to scrutinise project-level information and present clear, accurate and actionable advice to the CEO. • A hands-on leadership approach, with experience directing commercial managers and quantity surveying teams across multiple projects. • MRICS or an equivalent professional qualification would be advantageous.