Head of Commercial

Fusion People; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Fusion People in Sydney seeks a Commercial Manager to lead the organisation's commercial direction within major civil infrastructure. You will report to the CEO and guide contracts, procurement, risk and governance across diverse projects.

You will drive commercial strategy, support major bids, and mentor teams to improve profitability and cash flow while building strong client and supplier relationships. This is an executive-level opportunity in a growing contractor.

Qualifications

• Senior commercial leadership in civil construction, infrastructure or contracting sectors.
• Ability to operate at executive leadership level and influence outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of Australian contracts, frameworks and risk management.
• Experience managing complex negotiations, claims and disputes.
• Experience overseeing major projects valued from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic commercial leadership across all operations.
• Advise CEO/ELT on performance, risk and growth opportunities.
• Lead commercial strategy and drive governance enhancements.
• Develop governance, controls and commercial management frameworks.
• Manage enterprise-wide contractual, financial and operational risk.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive influence

Contract negotiations

Governance & risk

Stakeholder management

Procurement & supply chain

Financial analysis

Education

Commerce/Law/Engineering degree

Job description

Are you a strategic commercial leader ready to influence the direction of a major civil infrastructure business?

Our client is a highly regarded and rapidly growing civil construction contractor delivering complex infrastructure, urban development, road, utilities and major project works across multiple sectors. With an exceptional reputation for project delivery, operational excellence and long-standing client relationships, they have established themselves as a key player within the civil construction market.

Due to continued growth and a strong future pipeline, an opportunity now exists for an accomplished Commercial Manager to join the Executive Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial direction of the business.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this enterprise-level position will provide strategic oversight across commercial operations, governance, risk management, contract performance and business growth initiatives while supporting the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of major civil and infrastructure projects.

The Role:

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will work closely with the CEO, senior operational leaders and project teams to drive commercial performance, strengthen governance frameworks and ensure the business is positioned for sustainable long-term growth.

You will be responsible for leading commercial strategy across the organisation while providing high-level support on major projects, contractual risk, procurement and stakeholder management.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic commercial leadership across all business operations

• Advising the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on commercial performance, business risk and growth opportunities

• Leading commercial strategy and driving continuous improvement initiatives

• Developing and strengthening governance, compliance and commercial management frameworks

• Managing enterprise-level contractual, financial and operational risk

• Providing commercial oversight across major infrastructure and civil construction projects

• Leading contract negotiations with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and joint venture partners

• Supporting project teams on complex contract administration, claims and dispute resolution matters

• Driving procurement and supply chain strategies to maximise commercial outcomes

• Establishing commercial controls, reporting mechanisms and performance metrics across the business

• Identifying opportunities to improve project profitability, cash flow and operational efficiency

• Building strong relationships with key clients, industry stakeholders and delivery partners

• Supporting tender reviews, bid strategy and major project pursuits

• Mentoring and developing commercial capability across project and operational teams

Project Exposure:

You will have visibility across a portfolio of significant civil and infrastructure projects including:

• Urban development and subdivision projects

• Major road and transport infrastructure works

• Bulk earthworks and civil construction projects

• Utilities and services infrastructure

• Government and local council projects

• Industrial and resource sector developments

• Large-scale infrastructure upgrades

• Design and construct projects

• Long-term framework and alliance contracts

• Multi-disciplinary civil engineering projects

About You:

To be successful, you will ideally possess:

• Extensive experience in a senior commercial leadership position within the civil construction, infrastructure, engineering or contracting sectors

• Proven ability to operate at executive leadership level and influence strategic business outcomes

• Strong knowledge of Australian construction contracts, commercial frameworks and risk management principles

• Demonstrated experience managing complex contract negotiations, claims and dispute resolution processes

• Experience overseeing major projects valued from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars

• Exceptional commercial acumen with strong financial and business analysis capability

• Experience establishing governance frameworks, commercial controls and compliance systems

• Strong understanding of procurement, supply chain and subcontractor management

• Outstanding stakeholder management and leadership skills

• Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical business outcomes

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Commerce, Law, Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline

• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence at all levels of an organisation

Why Join?

• Opportunity to join a highly respected civil contractor with a strong market reputation

• Executive Leadership Team position reporting directly to the CEO

• Genuine ability to shape the strategic direction of the business

• Influence commercial outcomes across a substantial portfolio of infrastructure projects

• Join an organisation experiencing significant growth and long-term project security

• High level of autonomy and executive decision-making authority

• Work alongside an experienced and high-performing leadership team

• Lead the ongoing evolution of governance, commercial excellence and risk management practices

• Be instrumental in supporting future business growth and diversification

• Attractive executive remuneration package aligned with experience

What's on Offer?

Executive Leadership Team position

Direct reporting line to the CEO

Strategic enterprise-wide commercial leadership role

Opportunity to influence major project and business outcomes

Significant autonomy and decision-making authority

Long-term career opportunity with a growing civil infrastructure contractor

Attractive executive salary package + incentives