At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial activities and shape strategy for high-value projects in construction.
- Company: Award-winning contractor with a strong reputation in diverse sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, hybrid working, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor a team and build senior-level relationships.
- Why this job: Influence commercial strategy and drive growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in civil engineering and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 £ per year.
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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director - Infrastructure in Cambridge
✨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 Hays, 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 Director - Infrastructure at Hays.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director - Infrastructure in Cambridge
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 Hays
✨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!
