At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial governance and support project teams in Facilities Management contracts.
- Company: Established engineering and construction company with a focus on excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, early finish Fridays, private medical, bonus, pension, and more.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop and lead a commercial team in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a lasting impact in the Facilities Management sector.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial experience in Facilities Management or related services required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Dowds is a long established, multidisciplinary engineering and construction Building Services Engineering company headquartered in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1978, our expertise spans the full lifecycle of complex‑built environments from initial design and systems integration through to installation, commissioning, and handover across specific sectors: life science, commercial, education and healthcare. Operating at a gold standard for best‑managed company and investors in people, our vision is to set the standard for excellence, driving progress, responsibility, and lasting impact while keeping our clients and our people at the heart of what we do.
Overview
Dowds Group is seeking an experienced Commercial Lead to provide commercial leadership and governance across our Facilities Management (FM) portfolio in Northern Ireland. This senior role protects margin, strengthens commercial controls, and supports project teams to deliver profitable, well‑governed contracts. You will act as the commercial authority across FM contracts, leading change control, forecasting, and financial performance reporting while managing and developing a commercial team.
Responsibilities
- Lead commercial governance across all FM contracts, ensuring robust controls and compliance
- Manage variations and change control, ensuring timely agreement and margin protection
- Support Project Managers on budgets, forecasts, and cost management
- Review and validate client and vendor invoices, ensuring accuracy and contractual compliance
- Produce and maintain commercial dashboards, KPI reporting, and margin analysis with variance reporting
- Act as the primary commercial interface with clients and key supply chain partners
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning across the FM portfolio
- Provide commercial input and support to tenders, bids, and renewals
- Identify commercial risks and opportunities, advising on mitigation and improvement actions
- Lead, manage, and develop a commercial team, setting clear expectations and driving performance
Qualifications
- Proven experience in a senior commercial role within Facilities Management, construction, or a related services environment
- Strong track record of commercial governance, cost control, and margin management
- Experience supporting Project Managers with forecasting, budgeting, and financial performance
- Confident managing change control, variations, and contract administration
- Experience reviewing and validating client and supplier invoices
- Strong analytical capability, including KPI reporting, dashboards, and variance analysis
- Experience managing and developing commercial or finance teams
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
- Experience working within FM service contracts (hard, soft, or integrated)
- Tendering and bid support experience within public or private sector FM
Benefits
- 41 Days Holiday
- Early Finish Fridays
- Private Medical
- Bonus
- Pension
- Plus, many more
Dowds is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Commercial Lead in Ballymena employer: J.F. & H. DOWDS LTD t/a DOWDS
At Dowds, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With 41 days of holiday, early finish Fridays, and a commitment to excellence in Facilities Management, our team enjoys a range of benefits that foster a healthy work-life balance while contributing to impactful projects across Northern Ireland. Join us to be part of a company that values its people and drives progress in the engineering and construction sector.
Contact Detail:
J.F. & H. DOWDS LTD t/a DOWDS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Lead in Ballymena
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Commercial Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Dowds and understanding their projects and values. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested in our work and how you can contribute to our vision of excellence in Facilities Management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with real examples! When discussing your past roles, highlight specific achievements in commercial governance and cost control. We love hearing about how you’ve successfully managed budgets and improved margins.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who align with our values and can drive progress in our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Lead in Ballymena
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Lead. Highlight your experience in Facilities Management and any relevant achievements that showcase your commercial governance skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for Dowds. Share specific examples of how you've managed budgets, forecasts, and financial performance in previous roles. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to highlight your analytical capabilities. Mention any experience with KPI reporting, dashboards, or variance analysis. We love numbers, so show us how you can turn data into actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at J.F. & H. DOWDS LTD t/a DOWDS
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets, forecasts, and cost controls in previous roles. This will show that you understand the financial landscape of Facilities Management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a commercial team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in the past. Highlight your approach to setting clear expectations and driving performance, as well as any specific achievements in team development.
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Familiarise yourself with Dowds Group's sectors and clients. Be ready to discuss how you can protect margins while ensuring client satisfaction. Showing that you understand their business and can act as a primary interface with clients will set you apart.
✨Prepare for Change Control Questions
Change control is a critical part of this role. Think of specific instances where you've managed variations and ensured timely agreement. Be ready to explain your process for identifying risks and opportunities, and how you've advised on mitigation strategies in the past.
