Project Director

Senior Commercial Manager

• Project Director grade
• Derby, site-based travel 2-3 times per week
• Permanent
• Full time with flexible core hours

Gleeds is a leading global property and construction consultancy. Independent since 1875, we are proud to deliver award‑winning projects around the world. We are a Great Place to Work certified employer, with our people at the heart of everything we do.

Climate change and sustainability is at the top of our agenda; we have been established within the energy sector for the past 40 years and have achieved significant growth in the past years as we contribute to a sector that will have trillions of pounds of investment over the next decade. Our teams are at the forefront of the change, managing life‑changing projects in Solar, Hydrogen, Nuclear, Renewables and Defence, and we want you to be part of that too.

The Energy team continues to grow, and we are now seeking to appoint a Senior Commercial Manager who will play a pivotal role in supporting the successful delivery of major, complex programmes within nuclear defence frameworks.

This role will operate at the heart of commercial strategy and project governance, providing expert leadership across commercial management. Working within a highly regulated, mission‑critical environment, you will help shape commercial solutions, protect client interests, and ensure robust commercial performance across multi‑disciplinary project teams.

Your day to day could involve:

• Lead the development of early‑stage cost estimates and commercial strategy from RIBA Stage 0 onwards
• Operate NEC and other forms of contract and ensure compliance with contract process and timelines
• Liaise with design and planning teams to ensure commercial considerations are embedded in early design decisions
• Manage contractor and supplier engagement alongside the client and key stakeholders
• Support or lead a small commercial team, setting clear goals and overseeing performance
• Ensure clear communication and alignment across stakeholders regarding budgets, risks, and contractual obligations
• Provide cost planning, budget monitoring, and cost control throughout the project lifecycle
• Maintain accurate financial reporting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis for client reporting
• Conduct value engineering and whole‑life cost analysis to ensure value for money

However, in the consultancy world, no two days are the same! We are a flexible team that support each other’s projects as well as getting in involved with wider business activities and we believe that variety is key to your development.

Who we\’re looking for:

• Ideally be HNC, HND or Degree qualified in a Quantity Surveying / Cost Management, Construction Law, or similar / relevant discipline, or in some case applicants with an alternative background (e.g.: Engineering) may be considered
• Must have experience within the Construction environment or engineering discipline and relevant experience within Cost Management, experience in the Nuclear / Civil engineering / Engineering (Including Service contracting) sector is essential
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, as well as a methodical way of thinking with excellent problem solving skills
• Experience operating forms of contract, including NEC3 and NEC4
• Broad technical knowledge in Procurement, Supply Chain, Cost and Commercial Management (both pre and post‑contract)
• Professional qualifications/memberships (RICS, CIOB, CICES, CIPS) desirable and supported if not already attained

What we can offer you:

• Clear opportunities to develop and grow your career through training and further qualifications
• Fantastic networking opportunities to grow your personal brand and expand your understanding of the industry
• Generous holiday allowance plus the option to purchase additional days through the holiday purchase scheme.
• Highly competitive salary and the opportunity to increase this through continuous reviews
• Employee Assistance Programme to ensure your health and personal well-being comes first
• Flexible working arrangements to ensure you have a healthy work‑life balance
• Volunteering opportunities to engage with your local community or charitable organisations
• Unparalleled support from central teams and a company that is recognised as a gold standard investor in people

About us

Gleeds is a global property and construction consultancy with over 150 years of expertise, operating in 28 countries worldwide. From iconic landmarks to critical infrastructure, we drive innovation, sustainability and value, delivering transformative projects that shape communities and redefine the built environment.