At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and drive growth in a dynamic construction environment.
- Company: Join Vadella Group, a rapidly growing compliance services business.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, career progression, and perks.
- Other info: Exciting growth opportunities with a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a specialist business while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in commercial roles within construction or engineering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Hybrid - UK wide & based at our Nottinghamshire Office – Competitive base salary + Bonus + car allowance + Company benefits.
Horizon is an established specialist contractor operating within the steeplejack, work at height, and height safety and lightning protection sectors, delivering complex access, maintenance, inspection, and remedial works across the UK. We are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to lead and drive the commercial performance of our specialist lightning protection, height safety and asset maintenance business. This senior leadership role carries full responsibility for delivering £1m+ annual revenue, developing the commercial strategy, and leading a high‑performing and growing commercial team. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with hands‑on commercial expertise, operating confidently within a technical, compliance‑led construction environment.
About The Role
- Develop and execute the commercial strategy to support sustainable business growth – supporting pricing decisions, tendering, contract renewal, and portfolio management across Horizon's service lines.
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities and sector growth in alignment with the group's commercial targets.
- Serve as a senior point of contact for strategic clients, building long‑term partnerships underpinned by technical credibility and consistent service delivery.
- Proactively develop opportunities for account growth and cross‑sell across the existing client portfolio and wider Vadella service lines.
- Lead, inspire, and develop the Horizon team – creating a high‑performance culture with clear accountability, strong development pathways, and effective succession planning.
- Set clear sales objectives, KPIs, and accountability across the team.
- Deliver and exceed an annual sales target of £1m+ across lightning protection and height safety solutions.
- Personally lead high‑value opportunities, strategic accounts, and key client relationships.
- Oversee pipeline management, forecasting, and revenue reporting.
Tenders, Pricing & Contracts
- Lead major tenders, framework submissions, and negotiated contracts.
- Own pricing strategy, ensuring competitiveness while protecting margin.
- Review, approve, and negotiate commercial terms and contracts.
- Identify and manage commercial and contractual risk.
Market Development & Brand Positioning
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments.
- Work with the wider commercial team and Vadella to strengthen market presence and proposition.
- Build strong relationships with consultants, contractors, and key stakeholders.
- Build and maintain a strong external profile – representing Horizon at industry events and within key client and partner networks.
Internal Collaboration & Governance
- Work closely with Operations, Administration and Finance teams to ensure smooth handover throughout the project lifecycle.
- Support continuous improvement of commercial processes, systems, and reporting.
- Ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, and internal governance.
Group Big Bets Programme
- Support Horizon's participation in the Vadella Group Big Bets programme – serving as a primary point of contact for Commercial Big Bets activities within the business.
- Attend and actively contribute to Group Big Bets meetings, ensuring Horizon's plans, progress, and challenges are clearly represented.
- Develop, maintain, and support Horizon's Big Bets plans across all relevant workstreams – including Commercial, Operational Transformation, Digital Innovation, and People & Culture.
- Drive implementation of agreed Big Bets initiatives within Horizon, ensuring timely execution, benefit realisation, and alignment with group targets.
Essential What you will bring:
- Proven senior commercial leadership experience within construction, engineering, safety, or specialist services.
- Track record of delivering £1m+ annual sales revenue.
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing commercial or sales teams.
- Strong understanding of pricing, contracts, margin management, and risk.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience within lightning protection, height safety, fall protection, or related disciplines.
Desirable
- Strong understanding of tendering and framework agreements.
- Knowledge of relevant standards such as BS EN 62305, BS 7883, or quality systems (e.g. ISO 9001).
Personal Attributes
- Strategic, commercially driven leader with strong decision‑making ability.
- Comfortable operating at board and client‑director level.
- Results‑focused, resilient, and adaptable, taking responsibility and accountability for deliverables.
- Professional, credible, and technically focused.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across the business.
What’s In It For You
- Competitive base salary plus bonus.
- Competitive annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Pension scheme.
- Perkbox benefits platform.
- Clear career progression path as the business and Group continue to grow.
- The backing of a PE‑funded group with genuine investment appetite in commercial capability.
- Opportunity to shape and lead the commercial direction of a growing, specialist business.
About Vadella
Vadella Group is a PE‑backed compliance services business operating across the TIC market – fire safety, water hygiene, asbestos, HVAC and health and safety consulting. We operate through a portfolio of specialist operating companies, each with their own identity and client base, supported by a Group infrastructure that enables them to grow. We are in a period of significant and deliberate growth, expanding our portfolio through acquisition and scaling our people and operational infrastructure accordingly. It is an exciting time to be joining the Group team.
Commercial Manager employer: Vadella
Horizon is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters growth and innovation within the construction and safety sectors. With a competitive salary, bonus structure, and comprehensive benefits, employees are empowered to lead and develop high-performing teams while enjoying clear career progression opportunities. Located in Nottinghamshire, this role provides the unique chance to shape the commercial strategy of a growing specialist business backed by a PE-funded group, ensuring a rewarding and impactful career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager
✨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 Vadella, 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 Manager at Vadella.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager
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 Vadella
✨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!
