Sr. Director, Commercial

Heddle Shipyards; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading shipyard in Hamilton is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Sr. Director of Commercial to oversee all tendering and commercial activities for significant shipbuilding and repair projects. The role encompasses leading competitive bids, managing contractual compliance, and ensuring financial clarity throughout project lifecycles, thus driving the organization's growth and profitability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years in a senior commercial or contract management role.
• Experience in leading tendering processes and commercial execution.
• Strong understanding of contract structures and financial controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of tenders for shipbuilding and repair projects.
• Manage commercial aspects post-award, ensuring compliance and billing.
• Define commercial strategy aligned with organizational goals.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Commercial Negotiations

Risk Management

Financial Controls

Cost Control Systems

Education

Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field

MBA or CPA

Tools

ERP Platforms

Project Management Tools

Job description

Ontario Shipyards is seeking a strategic and results-oriented Sr. Director of Commercial - Hamilton to lead all tendering and commercial execution activities for major shipbuilding and ship repair projects. Based in Hamilton, this leadership role is responsible for ensuring commercial clarity and rigor throughout the project lifecycle — from bid development to contract close-out.

This individual will act as a critical bridge between the project execution teams and the finance function, ensuring that project costs are accurately captured, client obligations are properly managed, and invoicing is executed in a timely and effective manner. The Sr. Director of Commercial - Hamilton will enable Operations to focus on delivery while overseeing all commercial matters to safeguard Ontario Shipyards’ financial and contractual interests.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of competitive and compliant tenders for ship repair, vessel life extension, and new build projects.
• Collaborate with Estimating, Engineering, Procurement, and BD teams to develop pricing strategies, risk profiles, and commercial terms.
• Review bid documents for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with company policies and client requirements.
• Participate in contract negotiations and clarifications with clients and partners.

2. Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the commercial strategy for Ontario Shipyards’ operations in Hamilton, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals and financial targets.
• Provide strategic direction on pricing models, contract structuring, and risk management approaches to enhance competitiveness and profitability.
• Establish and maintain commercial governance standards, policies, and procedures that promote consistency, compliance, and commercial discipline across all project phases.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and client demands to shape proactive commercial strategies and support business growth.
• Collaborate with senior executives to influence enterprise-wide commercial strategy and contribute to strategic planning and business development initiatives.
• Lead the development and evolution of the commercial function in Hamilton, including team design, succession planning, and capability building.

3. Commercial Oversight During Execution

• Manage all commercial aspects of projects post-award, including contractual compliance, change order tracking, and milestone billing.
• Serve as the primary commercial point of contact for Project Managers, ensuring contracts are administered in alignment with negotiated terms.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for scope clarification, variation claims, and revenue recovery.
• Work closely with Project Controllers and Finance to ensure all project costs are accurately captured and attributed to the correct cost codes.
• Ensure billing is aligned with contract terms, project progress, and earned value.
• Lead commercial close-out activities, including final account reconciliation and documentation submission.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of contract terms, conditions, and obligations to support risk management throughout execution.
• Support dispute resolution efforts and provide guidance on the commercial implications of project decisions.
• Develop internal tools and templates to streamline commercial governance.
• Build and lead a high-performing commercial team in Hamilton.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across Operations, Legal, Finance, and Business Development to ensure alignment between commercial strategy and project delivery.
• Provide mentorship and development to junior commercial personnel and estimators.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Estimating, and Project Controls to ensure accurate technical scopes are reflected in commercial proposals and change orders.
• Translate complex engineering requirements into commercially viable strategies that manage risk while meeting client needs.
• Lead technical clarifications and negotiations with clients during tender and execution phases.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field required. An MBA, CPA, or relevant commercial / contract management certifications considered a strong asset.

Experience :

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in a senior commercial, contract management, or project finance role within the marine, construction, or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven track record in leading complex tendering processes, managing commercial project execution, and supporting financial controls.
• Deep understanding of contract structures, project accounting, and commercial negotiations.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical mindset, and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in cost control systems, ERP platforms, and project management tools.
• Proven ability to bridge engineering requirements with commercial strategy, enabling competitive bids and cost-effective project execution without compromising technical quality.