Job Title: Commercial Director – Housebuilder PLC
Location: UK (Regional / National Travel Required)
Reporting to: Executive Board
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Overview
A leading UK housebuilding PLC is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Commercial Director to take ownership of the full commercial function across multiple residential development projects. This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving profitability, commercial governance, cost control, and strategic supplier relationships across a high-volume residential pipeline.
You will play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial strategy, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of cost efficiency and value engineering.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Leadership
Lead the overall commercial strategy across regional residential development operations
Provide strong leadership to Quantity Surveying and Commercial teams across multiple sites
Work closely with Construction, Technical, Land, and Finance teams to ensure alignment on project viability and delivery
Cost & Financial Control
Oversee full project cost management from land acquisition through to final account
Ensure robust budgeting, forecasting, and cost reporting across all developments
Drive value engineering initiatives without compromising quality or build standards
Manage risk exposure and implement effective cost mitigation strategies
Procurement & Supply Chain
Lead procurement strategy for subcontractors, materials, and key suppliers
Negotiate major contracts and frameworks to secure best value and long-term partnerships
Monitor supply chain performance and ensure compliance with commercial agreements
Project Viability & Land Appraisal
Support land acquisition teams with commercial input on feasibility and financial modelling
Assess development opportunities and contribute to investment decisions at board level
Ensure accurate cost planning from early-stage land bids through to completion
Governance & Reporting
Deliver accurate commercial reporting to the executive leadership team and board
Ensure compliance with internal controls, industry regulations, and governance frameworks
Oversee risk management across all commercial activities
Leadership & Development
Build, mentor, and develop high-performing commercial teams
Drive a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement
Act as a senior ambassador for the business with external stakeholders
Key Skills & Experience
Proven experience as a Commercial Director or Senior Commercial Leader within a UK housebuilder or residential developer
Strong background in quantity surveying, cost management, and commercial strategy
Track record of delivering large-scale residential projects profitably
Excellent negotiation skills with subcontractors and supply chain partners
Strong financial acumen with experience managing multi-million-pound budgets
Ability to operate at board level and influence strategic decisions
Strong leadership and team development capability
Personal Attributes
Commercially astute and highly analytical
Strong communicator with executive presence
Decisive, resilient, and solution-focused
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-pressure development environment
Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail