Job Description: Chief Commercial Officer
Company: Guildprime Specialist Contracts Ltd
Location: Billericay, Essex
Reports To: Managing Director
Employment Type: Full-Time
Sector: High-End Fit-Out & Construction
Overview:
Guildprime Specialist Contracts Limited is a leading name in the construction and fit-out sector, known for delivering high-quality, bespoke services to our clients. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, reliability, and exceptional service.
We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and contractually astute Chief Commercial Officer with extensive background in high-end fit-out and construction contracts.
The Chief Commercial Officer will be responsible for overseeing all commercial functions of the business, ensuring profitability, contractual compliance, strong risk management, and effective commercial governance across all projects. This role is a key member of the Executive Team and reports directly to the Managing Director.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Commercial Leadership
- Lead the commercial strategy for the business, ensuring alignment with Guildprime’s growth objectives and market positioning.
- Provide high-level commercial advice to the Managing Director and Board.
- Drive commercial best practice, standardisation, and continuous improvement across all projects.
- Develop long-term commercial plans, forecasting, and business performance models.
Contract & Risk Management
- Oversee negotiation, review, and execution of construction contracts, subcontracts, and consultant agreements.
- Ensure compliance with contract forms including JCT, NEC, bespoke fit-out contracts, and client-specific frameworks.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and contractual risks across all projects.
- Ensure robust contract administration from pre-contract through final account.
Financial & Commercial Control
- Lead financial review of all secured tenders, cost plans, and project budgets.
- Ensure accurate cost reporting, forecasting, earned value analysis, and margin protection.
- Oversee commercial performance of all projects, including variations, claims, delay analysis, and change control.
- Approve major procurement packages and high-value subcontractor appointments.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop the commercial team—including Quantity Surveyors, Buyers, and Commercial Managers.
- Cultivate a culture of accountability, efficiency, and commercial excellence.
- Ensure the team has clear KPIs, progression paths, and training plans.
Client, Stakeholder & Supply Chain Relations
- Build strong client relationships to ensure repeat business and mutual trust.
- Engage with high-end suppliers and subcontractors to ensure cost efficiency and quality delivery.
- Support business development activities by providing commercial insight and client-facing expertise.
Project Oversight
- Oversee commercial aspects of high-end fit-out and refurbishment projects from preconstruction to completion.
- Attend key project meetings, design reviews, commercial risk reviews, and Board-level performance updates.
- Ensure timely preparation and agreement of interim valuations, applications for payment, final accounts, and project close-out.
Skills & Experience:
Essential
- Minimum 15+ years’ commercial experience within high-end fit-out and construction contracting.
- Strong background in contract administration (JCT essential; NEC desirable).
- Proven track record of delivering profitable commercial outcomes on complex, fast-track projects.
- Excellent negotiation skills and extensive knowledge of UK construction law and contract frameworks.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop commercial teams.
- Strong financial acumen and advanced understanding of cost control, forecasting, and commercial reporting.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience in dispute resolution solutions.
- Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, consultants and agents.
- Experience in luxury retail, residential, hospitality, and commercial environments.
- Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or similar.
- Membership of RICS (advantageous but not essential).
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with the ability to influence at Board level.
- Confident decision-maker with a strong sense of accountability.
- Professional, articulate, and commercially aware.
- Proactive, solutions-driven, and resilient under pressure.
- High integrity and commitment to maintaining Guildprime’s reputation for excellence.
What We Offer:
- Senior leadership role with real influence over company direction.
- Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
- Pension and additional benefits package.
- Opportunity to shape the commercial future of a growing, reputable, high-end fit-out specialist.
- Collaborative, supportive leadership environment working closely with the Executive Team and reports directly to the Managing Director