At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial performance and oversee estimating for exciting refurbishment projects.
- Company: Established contractor with 85 years of delivering quality work across London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a reputable company while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management or as a Senior Quantity Surveyor required.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 95000 £ per year.
Join a long-established, privately owned contractor with an 85-year track record delivering high-quality refurbishments, heritage works, and social housing projects across London and the South East. With project values ranging from £500k to £6.5m, this is an excellent opportunity for a Commercial Manager — or a Senior Quantity Surveyor ready to step up — to take ownership of the commercial and estimating functions within a stable, growing business. This is a key leadership position where you will shape commercial strategy, oversee project profitability, and support the continued growth of the company.
The Role - What You'll Be Doing
- Commercial leadership: overseeing the commercial performance of multiple refurbishment and heritage projects
- Cost management: managing budgets, valuations, variations, and ensuring robust cost control across all schemes
- Estimating oversight: leading the tendering process, reviewing pricing, and ensuring competitive and accurate submissions
- Procurement strategy: managing subcontractor procurement, negotiations, and contract placement
- Contract administration: overseeing subcontractor accounts, applications, payments, and final accounts
- Commercial reporting: producing and reviewing monthly CVRs, cost forecasts, and financial performance reports
- Risk management: identifying and mitigating commercial risk while protecting project margins
- Client engagement: building strong relationships with local authorities, estate teams, consultants, and private clients
- Team leadership: supporting and mentoring Quantity Surveyors while strengthening commercial processes across the business
- Project collaboration: working closely with site teams and directors to ensure projects are delivered safely, on programme, and within budget
This role is ideal for an established Commercial Manager or an experienced Senior Quantity Surveyor looking to step into a leadership position and influence the commercial direction of a well-respected contractor.
About the Contractor - Why Join
- Stable, reputable business with deep roots and a strong reputation for quality workmanship
- Directors are hands-on and accessible, creating a supportive and trusting environment
- 85+ years of continuous trading with long-standing clients, including councils, estates, and commercial property owners
- Blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern construction techniques
- Close-knit commercial and site teams
- Real career progression opportunities as the business continues to grow
- Typical project value: £500k-£750k; largest live project: £6.5m refurbishment (Royal Borough of Greenwich)
What You Need
- Proven experience as a Senior Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager with a main contractor
- Strong leadership capability with the confidence to manage commercial and estimating functions
- Excellent commercial acumen with a focus on profitability, risk management, and financial control
- Experience overseeing tendering, procurement, and subcontractor negotiations
- Strong knowledge of CVRs, forecasting, and project financial reporting
- Proactive, organised, and confident managing multiple responsibilities
- Degree / HNC / HND in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or similar
What You'll Receive
- Salary £75,000 - £95,000 (DOE)
- Performance-based bonus scheme
- 22 days holiday +
Commercial Manager in London employer: Reinforced Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Reinforced Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and connect with professionals in the construction sector. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent works, especially in refurbishments and heritage projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience as a Senior Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager aligns with the responsibilities of the role. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've successfully managed budgets and commercial performance in past projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that Commercial Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial leadership, cost management, and procurement strategy. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in managing projects and leading teams. Let us know why you want to join our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves team leadership, make sure to highlight your experience mentoring others and driving commercial performance. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and lead a team towards success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. 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 Reinforced Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your strong commercial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets and forecasts in previous roles. This shows you understand the financial side of projects and can contribute to profitability.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've led teams or mentored colleagues in the past. Highlight specific situations where your leadership made a difference in project outcomes or team dynamics.
✨Understand the Tendering Process
Since estimating oversight is a key responsibility, be prepared to discuss your experience with tendering processes. Bring examples of successful bids you've led, focusing on how you ensured competitive pricing and accuracy in submissions.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Client engagement is crucial in this role, so practice building rapport during your interview. Be personable and engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their projects and challenges. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with clients and stakeholders.