At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and management for social housing and infrastructure projects.
- Company: United Infrastructure, a rapidly expanding provider of essential infrastructure services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working available with opportunities for talent development and mentorship.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while driving business growth and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management within social housing or infrastructure sectors.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business, focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects across the utility and social infrastructure sectors. Our team of highly skilled and hardworking specialists deliver innovative solutions to the complex challenges our clients face.
Our company is split into two business areas:
- Utility Infrastructure – Our team of Utility Infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical water, energy (gas), power and telecoms infrastructure for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.
- Social Infrastructure - Our team of Social Infrastructure specialists revitalise homes and communities by carrying out a wide range of work, from retrofit to refurbishment, and maintenance.
Location: Warrington, Midlands, Thame, or Swanley (Hybrid working available)
Business Unit: Social Infrastructure
Reports to: Commercial Director/ Managing Director
About United Infrastructure
United Infrastructure is a leading provider of infrastructure services across the UK, partnering with local authorities, housing associations, and major industry stakeholders. We deliver essential works including social housing upgrades, planned works, compliance programmes, and regeneration projects that improve communities and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Role Purpose
The Head of Commercial will lead the commercial strategy and commercial management across our Social Housing and Infrastructure portfolio. This role ensures robust commercial governance, drives profitability, oversees contractual compliance, and supports operational delivery. You will act as the senior commercial lead for the region, supporting growth, strategic bids, and ensuring sustainable long-term relationships with clients—particularly within the Responsive Division (Repairs, Disrepair and Voids) of the social housing sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commercial function across multi-million-pound programmes within social housing, compliance, and infrastructure services.
- Develop and embed commercial strategy to support business growth, margin improvement, and risk control.
- Provide high-level commercial advice to Directors, Operational Leads, and Clients.
- Oversee commercial reporting, cost management, CVR production, forecasting, and budget control.
- Ensure robust management of NEC, JCT, and bespoke contract forms.
- Lead commercial risk reviews and mitigation strategies.
- Approve and authorise high-value subcontractor packages and supplier agreements.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a senior commercial representative with key clients, particularly housing associations and local authorities.
- Support dispute resolution, negotiation, and commercial dialogue.
- Build strong working relationships to drive repeat business and partnership growth.
- Lead, coach, and mentor a team of Commercial Managers, Quantity Surveyors, and Assistant QSs.
- Drive high performance, continuous improvement, and consistency across operations.
- Support talent development and succession planning within the commercial function.
Business Growth & Strategic Support
- Support bid teams on tenders within the social housing and infrastructure markets.
- Provide commercial input into pricing models, risk assessments, and contract negotiations.
- Contribute to strategic planning and future service development.
Experience & Skills Required
- Proven experience as a Senior Commercial Manager, Commercial Lead, or Head of Commercial.
- Strong track record within social housing, planned works, refurbishment, repairs, compliance, or property services.
- Demonstrable experience leading commercial teams on multi-million-pound programmes.
- Expert knowledge of NEC, JCT, and relevant public sector contracts.
- Strong negotiation and client-facing skills.
- Commercially astute with excellent analytical ability.
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related discipline.
- RICS accreditation or working toward it.
- Experience within infrastructure or wider public-sector frameworks.
Additional Information
What We Offer: If you are a Commercial Manager seeking a dynamic and diverse work environment, we're offering a competitive salary and benefits package along with opportunities for career progression aligned with the company’s growth.
How to Apply: If you are ready to be part of our expanding team and contribute to our success, apply today for immediate consideration. Join us on this exciting journey of growth and innovation!
As a business, United Living prefer to hire directly and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if we require support. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable.
Head of Commercial employer: United Infrastructure
United Infrastructure is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for career progression within our expanding business, particularly in the vital social housing sector. Our hybrid working model and commitment to enhancing community quality of life make us an attractive choice for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial
✨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 United Infrastructure, 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 Head of Commercial at United Infrastructure.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial
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 United Infrastructure
✨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!
