At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategies and governance for a growing utility provider.
- Company: IES Utilities Group, a top UK utility provider focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, executive remuneration package, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Drive profitability and excellence in a pivotal role within a £500m turnover company.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior commercial leadership experience in utilities or infrastructure.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to continuous improvement and client satisfaction.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
IES Utilities Group Ltd is a leading UK utility provider delivering end-to-end infrastructure solutions. Our teams operate across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating and Renewables, providing survey, design, construction, and maintenance services nationwide. We are committed to innovation, safety, engineering excellence, and sustainable delivery. Headquartered in Manchester, IES continues to grow as a trusted partner in the UK’s critical infrastructure sector.
The Commercial Function underpins the financial, contractual, and strategic performance of all IES operational divisions. It is responsible for commercial governance, margin optimisation, strategic bidding, cost control, and contract management across major utility and infrastructure programmes. The function also ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks, delivers commercial insight to the Executive Team, and drives continuous improvement in commercial performance.
Purpose of the Role
The Commercial Director will provide strategic and operational leadership of the Commercial Function, overseeing all commercial governance, contract management, margin delivery, and commercial strategy across IES Utilities. Operating within a business scaling up to £500m turnover per annum, this role is pivotal in driving profitability, contractual compliance, and commercial excellence across the group.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Provide commercial leadership aligned to the company's growth trajectory toward £500m turnover.
- Develop and implement commercial strategies to enhance profitability, governance, and client satisfaction.
- Represent the Commercial Function at Executive and Board level, shaping long-term commercial strategy.
- Operational Delivery
- Lead commercial delivery across all divisions to ensure contracts are executed profitably and compliantly.
- Oversee valuations, cost control, change management, forecasting, and reporting of commercial performance.
- Implement commercial best practices to improve utilisation, margin, and delivery effectiveness.
- Business Development & Growth
- Support bid strategy, pricing, and commercial modelling for major frameworks and contracts.
- Ensure commercial deliverability of new business opportunities from bid stage through mobilisation.
- Strengthen client and commercial partner relationships to secure sustainable revenue growth.
- Governance & Risk Management
- Establish commercial governance frameworks to ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual standards.
- Identify and mitigate commercial risks across all divisions.
- Provide commercial reports, insights, and recommendations to the CFO and Executive Team.
- People & Leadership
- Lead and develop high-performing commercial teams across the group.
- Foster a culture of accountability, commercial excellence, and continuous improvement.
- Support talent development, succession planning, and leadership capability building.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build relationships with clients, regulators, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen commercial performance.
- Represent IES in commercial negotiations and external forums.
- Work with supply chain partners to secure cost-effective and sustainable commercial outcomes.
Key Skills & Experience
- Extensive senior commercial leadership experience in utilities or major infrastructure programmes.
- Track record of commercial governance, contract management, and margin delivery.
- Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and analytical skills.
- Experience leading commercial teams in a high-growth, multi-disciplinary environment.
Key Measures of Success
- Commercial performance aligned with revenue, margin, and cash objectives.
- Full compliance with regulatory, contractual, and governance requirements.
- Positive feedback from clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
- Development of a high-performing commercial team supporting long-term business growth.
Commercial Director employer: IES Utilities Group LTD
Contact Detail:
IES Utilities Group LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their commercial strategies and recent projects. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in the role and the company’s growth trajectory.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the Commercial Director role. Highlight your leadership skills and past successes in driving profitability and compliance. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Director role. Highlight your experience in commercial governance, contract management, and any relevant achievements that align with IES's goals. We want to see how you can drive profitability and excellence!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role and how your strategic leadership can contribute to IES's growth. Keep it engaging and make sure to reflect our values of innovation and sustainability.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Commercial Director, you'll be leading teams and driving performance. Make sure to highlight your experience in developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability. We love seeing examples of how you've supported talent development in your previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at IES Utilities. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at IES Utilities Group LTD
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Director, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial metrics and commercial performance. Brush up on key figures related to margin delivery, revenue growth, and cost control. Be ready to discuss how you've driven profitability in previous roles.
✨Showcase Strategic Thinking
Prepare to talk about your experience in developing and implementing commercial strategies. Think of specific examples where your strategic leadership has led to successful outcomes. This role is pivotal for IES, so showing that you can align with their growth trajectory is crucial.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
You'll be representing the Commercial Function at executive levels, so it's important to highlight your negotiation and stakeholder management skills. Prepare anecdotes that showcase how you've built strong relationships with clients and partners, and how that has benefited your previous organisations.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
The role involves leading high-performing teams, so be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've developed talent in your past positions. Share examples of how you've fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within your teams.