Job Title: Senior Commercial Manager (Transitioning to Commercial Director)
Salary: £70,000–£90,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Location: Head Office (just outside of Southampton)
The Role
We are seeking a Senior Commercial Manager with the ambition and capability to transition into a Commercial Director role. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of the commercial function within a business delivering a £20m+ turnover, specialising in full building envelope and recladding projects. The successful candidate will oversee commercial performance across multiple high-value projects, driving profitability while contributing to strategic growth.
You will manage the commercial aspects of projects from pre-construction through to completion, ensuring robust cost control, risk management, and contract compliance. As a future Commercial Director, you will play a critical role in shaping commercial strategy, developing client relationships, and leading a high-performing commercial team.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will lead the commercial management of full building envelope and recladding projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. You will develop and maintain strong commercial frameworks, reviewing profit plans, risk registers, and contractual obligations. Close collaboration with project managers, estimators, and directors will ensure commercial targets are achieved while maintaining quality and safety standards.
You will oversee procurement strategies, negotiate with subcontractors, and manage change control to maximise value and control costs. Monitoring and forecasting project budgets, cash flow, and commercial KPIs will be a key part of your remit.
As part of your progression to Commercial Director, you will contribute to company strategy, develop and enforce commercial policies and procedures, and foster strong client and stakeholder relationships. You will also mentor and develop the commercial team, promoting best practice and continuous improvement.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in commercial management within the façade, cladding, roofing, or construction sectors, ideally managing multiple high-value projects. Experience with full building envelope and recladding work is highly desirable. You will have a proven track record in cost management, contract negotiation, risk assessment, and commercial reporting.
A thorough understanding of relevant construction regulations, health and safety legislation, and contract law is essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and construction-specific software is expected.
Professional qualifications such as RICS, CIOB, or equivalent are highly desirable. Previous experience in a leadership or managerial capacity, with the ability to mentor and develop team members, is required.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to make decisive, commercially sound decisions. Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage with clients, contractors, and senior stakeholders, are essential.
You should be highly organised, proactive, and capable of managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. A collaborative, team-oriented approach is essential, alongside the drive and ambition to step into a director-level role in the near term. Integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering excellence are key personal attributes.
This is a strategic, hands-on role offering the opportunity to grow into a Commercial Director position while directly influencing the commercial success of high-profile £20m+ building envelope and recladding projects