QS Commercial Manager in Belfast

The QS Commercial Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all commercial aspects of the business across Facilities Management (FM) services and larger capital and refurbishment projects. This role ensures financial accuracy, cost efficiency, margin protection, and compliance while driving commercial performance and long-term value creation. The Commercial Manager will act as a key business partner to the Commercial Director, influencing decision-making and client negotiations, and providing strategic commercial insight. Part of this role will involve responsibility for validating and tracking invoices related to FM services. In addition to managing FM-related commercial processes, this role will take ownership of larger project contracts, variations, and risk management to safeguard profitability and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Commercial Oversight & Leadership: Lead commercial control across FM services and projects, ensuring all recoverable costs are captured and billed correctly. Protect margins by identifying commercial risks, preventing leakage, and implementing cost recovery processes. Provide commercial leadership to internal teams, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and financial targets.
• Contract & Project Management: Oversee commercial aspects of FM contracts and larger construction/refurbishment projects. Manage variations, change orders, and claims to ensure timely and accurate cost recovery. Support project managers with financial and commercial planning, ensuring delivery aligns with budgets, forecasts, and agreed client terms.
• Invoice Review & Validation: Verify the accuracy of purchase invoices against vendor contracts, purchase orders (POs), service level agreements (SLAs). Ensure all charges are legitimate, properly authorized, and aligned with agreed rates and uplifts. Investigate discrepancies, resolve billing issues, and coordinate with vendors and internal teams for clarification.
• Cost Tracking & Reporting: Track and analyse FM-related costs and expenditures across different services and vendors. Produce commercial dashboards, margin analyses, and variance reports to support senior decision-making. Report on contract and project performance against KPIs, budgets, and forecasts. Provide data-driven recommendations to optimise spending, improve margins, and enhance contract performance. Prepare regular reports and variance analyses, highlighting overspend by vendors against PO values, cost-saving opportunities, and trends. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all financial transactions for FM vendors.
• Client & Vendor Interface: Act as a key point of contact for clients on commercial and contractual matters, including cost reconciliation and applications for payment. Verify the accuracy of purchase invoices against contract terms, purchase orders (POs), service level agreements (SLAs), and ensure all recoverable costs are billed correctly. Challenge non-recoverable costs, highlight commercial leakage, and ensure all charges are legitimate, properly authorised, and aligned with agreed rates and uplifts. Investigate discrepancies, resolve billing issues, and coordinate with vendors and internal teams for clarification. Lead vendor audits and performance reviews, providing cost data and invoice histories, ensuring best value and compliance with agreements.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Tender Support: Lead the preparation and monitoring of budgets across FM and project operations. Deliver margin forecasting and commercial risk assessments to the Commercial Director and senior leadership. Support bid and tender submissions with cost data, benchmarking, and commercial strategy input. Provide data-driven recommendations to optimize spending and improve financial performance.
• Systems & Compliance: Ensure effective use of JobLogic, Sage, Paperless, and other systems for financial and commercial management, including invoice processing and tracking. Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 7 years of experience in commercial management, cost control, or quantity surveying preferably in FM, construction, or property services.
• Proven track record of managing commercial risk, protecting margins, and leading contract negotiations.
• Strong understanding of FM operations, vendor contracts and large-scale project delivery.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, CAFM systems, and financial management tools.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong commercial awareness with ability to interpret contracts and apply financial/commercial insight.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical thinker with ability to provide strategic commercial advice to leadership.
• Confident communicator with ability to challenge costs and defend positions with both clients and vendors.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of procurement, contract compliance, and value engineering strategies.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Preferred:

• Professional qualification (e.g., RICS or equivalent).
• Experience leading bids, tenders, or major contract negotiations.
• Background in both FM and capital projects.
• Previous leadership of commercial or cost control staff.