At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance commercial performance across development projects, driving profitability and cost control.
- Company: Join the UK's leading developer of retirement communities with a focus on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, discretionary bonus, pension scheme, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and high-quality practices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping investment decisions and driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: Experience in quantity surveying or commercial leadership within construction, with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are looking for a commercially astute Commercial Manager who brings the capability to lead and strengthen our commercial function - driving performance, enhancing cost control, and shaping the success of our development portfolio. You bring significant experience in quantity surveying or commercial leadership within housebuilding or construction, with a proven track record of delivering strong commercial outcomes.
You are confident interrogating cost plans, challenging assumptions, and analysing trends and variances to drive improved performance and cost control. You have experience operating within Construction Management environments, working in partnership to ensure robust commercial input into key development milestones - including construction budgets, cost planning, programme management, and the management of risks and opportunities.
You collaborate effectively with land teams to support well-informed, commercially sound investment appraisals aligned to return and risk expectations. You combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, ensuring strong cost planning, governance, and financial discipline across projects. You are comfortable working within structured commercial frameworks, applying established processes (including JCT Construction Management approaches) while identifying opportunities to improve.
With strong commercial judgement and attention to detail, you operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels. You influence stakeholders beyond your direct reporting line, using data and insight to support decision-making and deliver measurable results.
Your Impact
As Commercial Manager, you will lead commercial performance across a portfolio of developments. You will play a critical role in:
- Driving profitability through build cost control and commercial strategy
- Shaping investment decisions with robust commercial insight, and ensuring strong governance across all projects
- Working closely with land and Construction Management partners, you will influence key development milestones, manage risk and opportunity, and embed consistent, high-quality commercial practices across the business.
- Embedding best practice through our Commercial Ways of Working
What we are looking for
You are a commercially astute Commercial Manager who thrives on driving performance and influencing outcomes. You will bring:
- Significant experience in quantity surveying/commercial leadership within housebuilding or construction
- A proven track record of delivering strong commercial results
- The ability to challenge, analyse and improve cost performance
- Strong leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams
- Confidence influencing stakeholders beyond direct reporting lines
- Strategic thinking combined with a hands-on, delivery-focused mindset
About Us
As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, we provide high quality homes to exacting specifications.
Commercial Manager employer: McCarthy & Stone
Contact Detail:
McCarthy & Stone Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. 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 projects. Show us that you understand our commercial function and how you can drive performance. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience in cost control and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Use this opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to our success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. This shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our team and gives you a better chance of standing out!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience in quantity surveying and commercial leadership, focusing on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and enhance cost control.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to showcase your strategic thinking and hands-on delivery approach, and don’t forget to mention how you’ve influenced stakeholders in past projects.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: We want to see your ability to interrogate cost plans and analyse trends. Include examples in your application that demonstrate how you've used data to support decision-making and deliver measurable results in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at McCarthy & Stone
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with cost plans and financial data. Brush up on your understanding of key metrics and trends in the construction industry. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in developing high-performing teams. Think about specific situations where you influenced stakeholders or drove change within your team or organisation.
✨Understand the Company’s Commercial Practices
Familiarise yourself with the company's commercial frameworks and best practices. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their existing processes and suggest improvements based on your previous experiences.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Practice articulating your thought process when faced with challenges related to cost control, risk management, and investment decisions.