Overview

As Commercial Director, you will be a key member of the Leadership Team, driving business growth and operational excellence. You will lead a high-performing team and focus on commercial strategy, margin improvement, and building strong client and stakeholder relationships. You will bring a deep understanding of the utilities sector and collaborate with the Contract Director, supply chain, and customers to deliver high standards of service.

Department: Commercial

Location: Reading

Key Responsibilities

• Efficiently manage all commercial aspects of the business and maintain regular liaison with all stakeholders.
• Build and lead a high performing team of approximately 10-15 FTEs with significant growth opportunities as works grow; manage development of personal plans, establish objectives/targets for all direct reports and monitor ongoing performance.
• Ensure achievement of annual (and monthly) commercial objectives and targets in line with the operations manager's contract plan; monitor and deliver performance against it.
• Active management and participation in the work winning process.
• Management and negotiation of key contract terms for new and existing contracts to minimise business risk and maximise returns.
• Develop new processes for cost & value capture, subcontractor management, weekly P&L production and evaluation, and application processes and accuracy.
• Value recovery, billing and WIP identification; proactive management of cash flow including identification and delivery of betterment.
• Compliance with Network Plus systems and processes to deliver contract management; ensure deadlines are met (internal and client-enforced).
• Key client liaison from a commercial perspective; improve profit and working capital position; drive a culture of margin improvement.
• Implement and drive weekly and monthly performance reviews, taking accountability for performance and ensuring actions to resolve underperformance.
• Ensure contract compliance from operational and commercial perspectives and drive this as a business culture; run commercial workshops where appropriate.
• Manage risk profile and perform monthly risk appraisals; comply with ad hoc and year-end audit requirements and lead commercial liaison with external audit.
• Identify opportunities and close them to benefit the company; manage client disputes; lead team meetings regularly.

Behavioural competencies

• Strong desire to further client relationships while ensuring contractual conditions are not compromised.
• Good communication and negotiation skills; engages people and builds team ethos.
• Leads and motivates others; fosters continuous improvement and development.
• Enthusiastic, driven, and accountable for delivering results in collaboration with the operational manager.
• Proactive problem solving, data-driven risk assessment, and decision-making; ability to change and drive adoption of new ideas.
• Set clear goals aligned with project and wider business objectives, including client objectives.

Experience and Qualifications

Key Experience

• Management of subcontractors; leadership of a team and of a multidiscipline team (Senior QS, QS, Commercial assistants).
• Experience with high-volume activity contracts; production of cost value reconciliations (Weekly P&L statements).
• Experience of new contracts and change management; commercial management of £30m+ p.a. contracts with exposure to multiple contracts.
• Development of key relationships with senior stakeholders (internal & external customers); identify process and performance gaps and resolve issues through improvements.

Technical competencies

• Degree qualification (RICS accreditation or equivalent) is desirable but not essential.
• Sound knowledge of contracts – NEC preferred; awareness of industry issues; good health, safety and environmental awareness.

Salary and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary based on experience along with a full benefits package.

Network Plus is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristics protected by law. We are Armed Forces-friendly. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

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