Commercial Manager / Commercial Director – M&E / Ductwork

The Role

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Commercial Manager / Commercial Director to join an established specialist contractor operating across London, the South East and wider UK.

This is a senior position within the business, taking overall responsibility for the commercial function and leading an existing team of six.

The role would suit either an established Commercial Director or a strong Commercial Manager looking to take the next step in their career and assume greater responsibility for a commercial department.

Based from the company's Romford office, the position will also involve regular visits to live projects, working closely with the operational teams to ensure projects are performing commercially from pre-construction through to final account.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a commercial team of six

• Take overall responsibility for the commercial performance of live projects

• Support, mentor and develop Quantity Surveyors and members of the commercial team

• Oversee project budgets, cost reporting and forecasting

• Review CVRs and provide accurate commercial reporting to senior management

• Manage contractual and commercial risk across projects

• Oversee valuations, variations and change management

• Manage subcontractor procurement, appointments and accounts

• Oversee applications for payment and cash flow

• Negotiate and agree final accounts

• Review contracts and ensure contractual obligations are understood and managed

• Work closely with Project Managers and operational teams to protect project margins

• Attend commercial and client meetings

• Visit live sites to review project performance and identify potential commercial risks

• Support tendering, pre-construction and commercial strategy

• Develop and improve commercial processes and controls across the business

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors and supply-chain partners

About You

We are looking for an experienced commercial professional with a strong background within M&E, building services or specialist subcontracting.

Experience within ductwork, ventilation or HVAC would be particularly advantageous, although we would also consider candidates from the wider mechanical or M&E contracting market.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Commercial Manager, Commercial Director or Senior Quantity Surveyor operating at a senior level

• Experience managing and developing a commercial team

• Strong understanding of subcontractor commercial management

• Excellent knowledge of contracts, variations, valuations and final accounts

• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously

• Strong financial reporting, forecasting and CVR experience

• Good contractual and commercial awareness

• Experience working closely with operational/project delivery teams

• Strong negotiation and client-facing skills

• The confidence to challenge commercially where required

• The ability to operate strategically while remaining involved in the detail of live projects

The Opportunity

This is a key appointment within an established specialist contractor and offers the successful individual the opportunity to take genuine ownership of the commercial function.

You'll inherit an existing team of six, with the remit to lead, develop and strengthen the department while working closely with senior management on the continued growth and commercial performance of the business.

This is not a purely office-based position. You'll be based from Romford while regularly visiting projects and working directly with the operational teams to ensure the commercial and delivery sides of the business remain closely aligned