At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial projects from start to finish, ensuring profitability and success.
- Company: Join a growing construction business with a dynamic team culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and the chance to shape the commercial function.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor and develop a high-performing commercial team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role with senior leadership exposure.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in construction, with strong commercial management experience.
We are looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to join a growing construction business and play a key role within its senior commercial team. This is a hands-on position combining commercial leadership, project delivery and team development. You will take responsibility for the commercial performance of your own projects while also supporting the Commercial Director in developing and managing the wider commercial function as the business continues to grow.
The successful candidate will be commercially astute, confident dealing with clients and supply chain partners, and capable of operating in a fast-paced contractor environment. Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills are essential.
You will become involved from the pre-construction stage through to final account, ensuring projects are commercially well structured, properly procured and delivered in line with agreed margins and business objectives.
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for an established Commercial Manager who wants more than simply managing project accounts. You will have exposure to:
- Senior commercial leadership and decision-making.
- Client relationship and account management.
- Pre-construction and procurement.
- Project commercial delivery from £1m–£15m.
- Development and leadership of a commercial team.
- Board-level financial reporting.
- New clients, sectors and project opportunities.
- Process improvement and commercial strategy.
The role would suit someone who is commercially strong but also people-focused, hands-on and keen to progress into a broader senior leadership position.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Management
- Take full commercial responsibility for allocated projects from pre-contract through to completion and final account.
- Manage project profitability, margins, costs, cash flow and commercial performance.
- Lead the commercial process through procurement, delivery, change management, valuations and final accounts.
- Establish and manage the project buy-out process and agree commercial forecasts with senior management.
- Prepare and maintain accurate CVRs, forecasts and management reports.
- Provide reliable commercial information for monthly senior management and Board reporting.
- Identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure positive cash flow is maintained across projects.
- Negotiate and agree final accounts with clients and subcontractors.
Pre-Construction & Procurement
- Become involved in projects during the pre-construction phase to ensure they are commercially viable and set up for successful delivery.
- Develop procurement strategies and detailed procurement programmes.
- Procure subcontractor and supplier packages, including preliminaries and specialist trades.
- Ensure appropriate contractual arrangements are in place.
- Review and manage design and commercial risks.
- Assist with contractor's proposals and pre-contract commercial submissions.
- Ensure the supply chain is appropriately vetted and pre-qualified.
- Work closely with the construction team on subcontractor selection and interviews.
Contract & Change Management
- Maintain a strong understanding of the main contract and identify contractual risks and opportunities.
- Demonstrate good knowledge of JCT forms of contract.
- Manage collateral warranties and associated contractual requirements.
- Administer and oversee the change control process.
- Ensure variations and commercial changes are properly assessed, recorded and agreed.
- Work collaboratively with clients while protecting the company's commercial position.
- Support the resolution of payment and contractual issues.
Client & Supply Chain Management
- Build strong, professional relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
- Attend client-led commercial meetings and take responsibility for commercial account management where required.
- Agree valuation and payment arrangements with clients and the supply chain.
- Lead internal and external commercial meetings.
- Negotiate effectively with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Maintain a collaborative approach while ensuring commercial objectives are achieved.
Leadership & Team Development
- Support the Commercial Director in developing the company's commercial function.
- Supervise and mentor Commercial Managers and other commercial team members.
- Help recruit and build a high-performing commercial team as the business grows.
- Provide guidance and support to less experienced members of the team.
- Challenge existing processes and identify opportunities to improve commercial efficiency and profitability.
- Help implement and maintain company commercial, cost-control and supply-chain systems.
- Act as a senior member of the wider leadership team.
Project & Sector Experience
The ideal candidate will have experience working for a main contractor, regional contractor or national contractor and will have delivered a variety of construction projects. Relevant sector experience includes:
- Commercial
- Living / residential
- Leisure
- Retail
- Mixed-use
Project experience could include:
- New build
- Refurbishment
- Extensions
- Fit-out / redevelopment
Typical project values are approximately £1m–£15m.
Essential Experience
- Minimum 10 years' construction industry experience.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a Commercial Manager or equivalent senior commercial position.
- Proven background with a main, regional or national contractor.
- Strong experience managing projects commercially from pre-construction through to final account.
- Experience managing subcontractor and supplier procurement.
- Strong understanding of project cost control, forecasting and profitability.
- Experience producing CVRs and commercial management reports.
- Strong change control and variation management experience.
- Good contractual knowledge, particularly JCT.
- Experience negotiating and agreeing final accounts.
- Strong understanding of cash flow and commercial risk.
- Experience working in fast-paced construction environments.
- Proven ability to build relationships with clients and supply chain partners.
- Previous experience supervising, mentoring or developing commercial staff.
Desirable
- Degree/HND/HNC or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Cost Management or a related discipline.
- RICS membership or another relevant professional qualification.
- Experience across multiple construction sectors.
- Experience working on projects between £1m and £15m.
- Previous exposure to Board-level reporting.
- Experience helping build or expand a commercial team.
- Strong knowledge of commercial systems and cost-management processes.
Commercial Manager – Maidstone employer: Build Space Group Ltd
Join a dynamic team at our major new-build accommodation project in Catterick Garrison, where we prioritise safety and teamwork in a supportive work environment. We offer competitive daily rates, weekly pay, and the chance for long-term employment, allowing you to grow your skills alongside experienced professionals in modern construction methods. If you're reliable and hardworking, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a significant development while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative and rewarding workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager – Maidstone
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Build Space Group Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Commercial Manager – Maidstone at Build Space Group Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager – Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Build Space Group Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
