Group Commercial Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne

At Bellway we recognise that people are the key to our success and we are working towards becoming a more inclusive employer that values and respects individual differences in the workplace. There is an exciting opportunity to join Bellway, one of the UK's largest house builders. Our Group division is looking to recruit a Group Commercial Manager. We are looking for an applicant who is based in the North East of England or the South West of England.

The Role

The role of Group Commercial Manager reports to the Group Commercial Director.

Key Objectives Of The Role Include

• Support the continuous improvement of the commercial function across the Group, supporting business growth through strong cost & margin control, accurate budgeting, robust forecasting, risk management and procurement discipline.
• Develop, maintain and embed practical, cost-effective Group Commercial policies, procedures and controls, ensuring they are consistently applied across all operating divisions.
• Benchmark build costs, budgets, and commercial performance using recognised commercial systems and data-led reporting to support strategic decision-making.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Read, understand and comply with Company policies, procedures and delegated authority requirements at all times.
• Represent Bellway Homes Limited professionally in all internal and external interactions, demonstrating sound judgement, integrity and commercial awareness.
• Produce accurate and timely Group Commercial management reports, dashboards and performance information to agreed timescales.
• Support the Group Commercial Director in developing the Group commercial policy, governance, and commercial & process improvements.
• Maintain effective working relationships with Divisional Commercial teams, providing clear guidance, challenge and support on commercial matters.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive, practical and current suite of Group commercial policies, procedures, templates and guidance notes.
• Communicate new and updated procedures clearly, including briefing and training Divisional staff where required.
• Audit compliance with Group commercial policy and procedures, identify areas of risk or inconsistency, and agree practical improvement actions with Divisional teams.
• Review and authorise high-value contractor payments and other commercial approvals where Group sign-off is required.
• Review, challenge and advise on Divisional budgets, cost plans, valuations and cost forecasts with a focus on risk & opportunity.
• Regular attendance at divisional valuation meetings to provide commercial support, guidance and governance.
• Analyse and benchmark Divisional build-cost performance using commercial systems such as COINS, alongside spreadsheet and reporting tools.
• Review the commercial elements of land acquisition viabilities, including cost assumptions, risk allowances and value-engineering opportunities.
• Lead defined Group Commercial workstreams, becoming the recognised point of contact for Divisional advice and escalation in those areas.
• Work with Group Technical colleagues to develop and maintain a commercially robust, cost-effective portfolio of Group house types and trade specifications.
• Contribute to procurement, subcontract, valuation, variation and final-account best practice, ensuring commercial risk is identified, managed and escalated appropriately.
• Support and advise on legal & contractual matters, working closely with the Group Legal team and Bellway solicitors to ensure risk and exposure to the business is minimised.

Experience, Qualifications and Skills

• Significant senior commercial experience within a Divisional housebuilding operation, ideally demonstrating experience across multiple developments, regions or Divisional operations.
• Experience working in, or closely with, a Group Commercial function within a large housebuilder is desirable.
• Expert knowledge of quantity surveying, cost planning, procurement, valuations, variations, final accounts and commercial reporting.
• Degree qualified, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience in Quantity Surveying / Commercial Management.
• Holds, or willing to obtain, the relevant level of CSCS card if required for site access.
• Current full UK driving licence.
• UK resident and can demonstrate rights to work.

Skills and Aptitude

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present commercial information clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Credible and confident when engaging with Divisional commercial teams, senior management and external professionals.
• Strong influencing, networking and negotiation skills, with the ability to secure compliance with Group policy while maintaining constructive working relationships.
• Self-motivated, resilient, flexible, and able to manage competing priorities to meet deadlines.
• Commercially astute, analytical and able to identify cost, procurement and contractual risks/ opportunities.
• Able to develop and deliver clear briefings, guidance, and training for Divisional teams.
• Strong data and systems capability, including advanced excel skills and experience using commercial management systems such as COINS or similar.
• Committed to continuous improvement through research, learning, and professional development.
• Committed to diversity and inclusion.

The Role and Working Conditions

Office based role with regular travel to Divisional offices and developments as required. Willing to be flexible in respect of day-to-day duties and hours worked. Location – North East / South West - (South West applicants – In addition to divisional visits, applicants must be willing to attend Head Office 3 days fortnightly with additional ad-hoc visits as required. A permanent base in one of our divisional offices).

In Return We Can Offer You

• Competitive salary
• Competitive car allowance
• Optional salary sacrifice car scheme
• Competitive annual bonus
• Contributory pension scheme
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Access to discounts and benefits portal
• ShareSave Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life assurance
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Earn and Learn Opportunities

We reserve the right to close this vacancy if a large volume of applications are received.