Commercial Assistant

Commercial Assistant

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
PiLON Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support project delivery in social housing, managing finances and ensuring compliance.
  • Company: Join United Infrastructure, a leader in essential infrastructure services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 23 days holiday, shopping discounts, and a supportive team culture.
  • Other info: Annual training budget for personal and professional development.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your career in a fast-paced environment with real impact on communities.
  • Qualifications: 2 years experience in commercial or finance roles; strong organisational skills required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Location: Hemel Hempstead (with travel to sites as required)

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

Salary: Competitive (depending on experience)

About The Role

We are looking for a commercially aware and motivated Commercial Assistant to join our growing team. This is a great opportunity to support the delivery of a variety of projects, comprising a mix of Planned, Voids & refurbishment contracts within the social housing sector, while developing your career in a fast-paced environment. In this role, you will support the Commercial lead and wider project team to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards. You will play a key part in managing financial processes, supporting reporting, and maintaining strong commercial control across projects. This role is well-suited to someone with a background in either commercial or finance who is looking to develop their career within a commercial function.

About Us

United Infrastructure delivers essential infrastructure services across utilities and social infrastructure, supporting some of the UK’s largest network operators and housing providers. Social Infrastructure & PiLON are both part of the United Infrastructure Group, which specialises in planned maintenance, refurbishment, and repairs within the social housing sector. With over 20 years of experience, we are known for delivering quality work with care and respect for the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the Commercial Lead and project teams to deliver projects on time and within budget
  • Assist with the commercial management of projects to maximise value and performance
  • Support the preparation and submission of monthly applications
  • Price new work orders using the pre-agreed pricing structure (for example, using the NHF pricing Schedule)
  • Assist with forecasting and monitoring project costs
  • Ensure projects comply with contractual, legal, and quality requirements
  • Prepare and contribute to monthly commercial reports, cash flow forecasts, and budgets
  • Support supply chain management and subcontractor coordination

What We’re Looking For

  • Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar Commercial Assistant or finance-related role
  • A background in accounting or finance is desirable
  • Strong organisational skills with close attention to detail
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to build effective working relationships
  • Confident in influencing and negotiating where required
  • Ability to work to deadlines and manage competing priorities
  • Proactive and methodical approach to work

Qualifications

  • Qualification in Finance, Accounting, Quantity Surveying, or a related field (desirable)

Benefits

  • 23 days of holiday per year, excluding Bank Holidays (+ get more days with length of service)
  • Up to £2,000 reward for successful recommendations as part of our referral scheme
  • Significant savings on daily shopping through our benefits portal
  • A welcoming office, snacks, beverages, friendly colleagues and team socials throughout the year
  • A supportive culture and a great team with exceptional talent and experience
  • Trained Mental Health First Aiders support
  • Annual training budget so you can focus on your personal and professional development and much more…

Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK.

Commercial Assistant employer: PiLON Ltd

United Infrastructure is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work culture in Hemel Hempstead, where you can thrive as a Commercial Assistant. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide annual training budgets, a welcoming office environment, and opportunities to engage in meaningful projects within the social housing sector. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters professional development while delivering essential infrastructure services across the UK.

PiLON Ltd

Contact Details:

PiLON Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Assistant

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 PiLON 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 Commercial Assistant at PiLON Ltd.

We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Assistant

Commercial Awareness
Financial Management
Project Management
Cost Forecasting
Budget Preparation
Attention to Detail
Communication Skills

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 PiLON 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!