At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the commercial function and mentor a high-performing team on prestigious construction projects.
- Company: Join a respected specialist contractor known for quality and technical expertise.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and long-term career progression.
- Other info: Exciting growth plans and a dynamic work environment await you.
- Why this job: Shape business strategy and influence landmark projects in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in commercial leadership and strong contractual knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Lead the commercial function for a market-leading specialist contractor delivering complex engineered solutions across some of the UK's most prestigious construction projects. Kenna Recruitment is working exclusively with a highly respected specialist contractor that designs, manufactures and installs precision-engineered products for the construction industry. With an outstanding reputation for quality and technical expertise, the business works alongside Tier One main contractors on major commercial fit-out, healthcare, life sciences and infrastructure projects throughout London and the South East of the UK. Due to continued growth, they are looking to appoint an experienced Head of Commercial to lead their commercial team and play a key role in the strategic direction of the business.
The Role
Reporting directly to the senior leadership team, you will take full responsibility for the commercial performance of the business, ensuring projects are delivered profitably while managing contractual risk and developing a high-performing commercial team. This is a strategic leadership position that combines commercial management with team development, client engagement and business improvement.
Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and mentor the commercial team, creating a high-performance culture.
- Oversee the commercial management of multiple projects from pre-contract through to final account.
- Identify, manage and mitigate commercial and contractual risk across the business.
- Review and negotiate contract terms, ensuring the company's commercial position is protected.
- Work closely with the Operations, Estimating, Design and Manufacturing teams to maximise project performance.
- Provide commercial guidance to senior leadership and contribute to wider business strategy.
- Manage cash flow, valuations, variations, claims and final accounts.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Tier One contractors and key stakeholders.
- Drive continuous improvement across commercial processes, reporting and governance.
- Ensure projects achieve or exceed financial targets.
About You
We are looking for an experienced commercial leader who combines strong contractual knowledge with excellent leadership skills. You'll ideally have:
- Proven experience as a Head of Commercial, Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial Lead.
- Previous experience working for a specialist contractor delivering engineered or manufactured construction solutions.
- A strong understanding of engineering-led construction products or specialist building packages.
- Extensive knowledge of JCT and NEC forms of contract.
- Demonstrable experience identifying, managing and mitigating contractual and commercial risk.
- A successful track record of leading, mentoring and motivating commercial teams.
- Excellent commercial awareness with strong financial and analytical skills.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities.
What's on Offer
- Senior leadership position within a growing specialist contractor.
- Opportunity to influence business strategy and shape the commercial function.
- Diverse portfolio of landmark projects across commercial fit-out, healthcare, life sciences and infrastructure.
- Excellent salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- Long-term career progression within an ambitious and expanding business.
If you're an experienced commercial leader looking to join a technically driven specialist contractor with an excellent reputation and exciting growth plans, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today or contact Kenna Recruitment for a confidential discussion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial in London
✨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 Kenna Recruitment 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 Head of Commercial at Kenna Recruitment Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial in London
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 Kenna Recruitment 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!
