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 work with a deep understanding of the utilities sector, collaborating with the Contract Director, supply chain, and customers to deliver high standards of service.

Department: Commercial

Location: Bristol Water HQ

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 opportunity for growth through growth of works; manage development of personal plans and set objectives/targets for all direct reports
• Ensure achievement of annual (and monthly) commercial objectives and targets in line with the operations manager and annual contract plan; monitor and deliver performance
• Active management and participation of the work winning process
• Management and negotiation of key contract terms for new and where appropriate existing contracts to minimise business risk and maximise returns
• Develop new processes and management for: Cost & value capture; Subcontractor relationships and management; Weekly profit and loss production and evaluation; Application process and accuracy
• Value recovery, billing and WIP identification; Proactive cash management (inflow and outflow) including identification of improvements
• 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; improvement of profit and working capital position; drive a culture of margin improvement
• Implement and drive weekly & monthly performance reviews with accountability to interrogate performance and take actions to resolve underperformance
• Ensure contract compliance from operational and commercial perspectives and drive this as part of business culture; run commercial workshops where appropriate
• Manage risk profile and perform monthly risk appraisals
• Compliance with ad hoc and year-end audit requirements and lead commercial liaison with external audit
• Identify opportunities and work to close them for the benefit of the company; manage client disputes; lead team meetings regularly

Behavioural competencies:

• Strong desire to further client relationships while protecting contractual conditions
• Good communication and negotiation skills; engages people and builds team ethos
• Leads and motivates others; strives to improve performance
• Enthusiastic, driven, and accountable for delivering results with the operational manager
• Looks for solutions and drives resolutions; comfortable going the extra mile
• Creates a culture of constant improvement and development
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Proactive issue management upstream and downstream
• Analyses data to assess risk and implement viable solutions
• Understand customer needs and requirements; embraces change and brings others on board
• Encourages new ideas that add value to the business; rational decision-making and identifying root causes
• Sets clear goals aligned with project and wider business objectives

Experience and Qualifications

Key Experience

• Management of subcontractors
• Leadership of a team and multidisciplinary teams (Senior QS, QS, Commercial assistants)
• Experience with high-volume activity contracts
• Management and production of cost value reconciliations (Weekly P&L statements)
• Experience in new contracts / change management of existing contracts (setting up new processes)
• Commercial management of £30m+ p.a. contracts with experience of multiple contracts
• Development of relationships with senior internal and customer stakeholders
• Identification of process and performance gaps and resolution through improvements

Technical competencies

• Degree qualification (RICS accredited or equivalent) 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.

Equal Opportunity 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 applicable characteristics protected by law. We are Armed Forces-friendly and welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

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Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Business Development and Sales; Industries: Utilities

Note: This description consolidates the role information from the original posting and preserves the essential requirements and responsibilities.