Commercial Director

GEDON™ | Precision Search for Complex Construction; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level benefits

Job summary

GEDON™ | Precision Search for Complex Construction, on behalf of a leading international main contractor, seeks a senior commercial leader to head the commercial function across a portfolio of data centre developments in Northern Europe.

Based in Helsinki with periodic travel across Europe, you will shape contract strategy, lead a high-performing team, manage P&L, and work closely with the executive team to deliver growth and value.

Qualifications

• Substantial senior commercial experience within a main contractor, developer or major sub-contractor on large-scale projects.
• Track record at Commercial Manager, Commercial Lead or Commercial Director level with full P&L or portfolio accountability.
• Data centre or mission-critical experience is beneficial but not essential.
• Strong knowledge of international contract forms and multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction management.
• Proven leadership capability with experience building commercial teams.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management; chartered status advantageous but not essential.
• Willingness to be based in Helsinki with periodic travel across European project locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial function across a portfolio of large-scale data centre projects, setting strategy and governance.
• Own commercial performance, margin protection and cash position across the portfolio.
• Oversee contract negotiation, procurement strategy and subcontract packages from pre-construction through to final account.
• Manage commercial risk and opportunity with clear reporting to senior leadership.
• Act as senior commercial contact for clients, consultants and key supply chain partners.
• Support bids, tenders and pre-construction activity with pricing and delivery input.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing commercial team with recruitment and succession planning.
• Contribute to wider business strategy and operational planning with the senior leadership group.

Skills

Senior commercial leadership

P&L ownership

Contract management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management

Job description

Our client is a leading international main contractor with a long-established reputation for delivering technically complex, large-scale construction and engineering projects across Europe. Operating at the top tier of the market, they are recognised for their ability to take on high-value, programme-critical developments in sectors where precision, reliability and delivery certainty are non-negotiable.

The business has built its standing on consistent performance for a portfolio of blue-chip international clients, many of whom return to them repeatedly across multiple countries and project phases. This client loyalty has translated into a secured forward workload and a level of pipeline visibility that few contractors in the European market can match.

Demand across the digital infrastructure sector has driven substantial growth in recent years, and the business is continuing to expand its Northern European operations. As part of that expansion, they are strengthening their senior commercial leadership to ensure the function keeps pace with an increasingly ambitious project portfolio.

This is an organisation that promotes from within, invests seriously in its senior people, and gives directors genuine autonomy over their function. Commercial leadership here is treated as a strategic discipline rather than a reporting one, with a direct line into executive decision-making.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PROJECTS

You will lead the commercial function across a portfolio of major data centre developments, working alongside an experienced senior team spanning operations, engineering, procurement and pre-construction. These are hyperscale, mission-critical environments — highly technical, tightly programmed and delivered under demanding client frameworks.

The culture is performance-led but collaborative, with senior leaders expected to contribute to the wider business strategy rather than operate in isolation. You will have significant influence over commercial policy, contract strategy and risk appetite, and the authority to build and shape your own team as the portfolio grows.

Based in Helsinki, the role carries pan-European visibility, with periodic travel to other project locations across the region. You will work closely with the executive team, client representatives and supply chain partners at the most senior level, positioning you at the centre of both project delivery and commercial strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the commercial function across a portfolio of large-scale data centre projects, setting strategy, standards and governance
• Take full accountability for commercial performance, margin protection and cash position across the project portfolio
• Oversee contract negotiation, procurement strategy and subcontract packages from pre-construction through to final account
• Manage commercial risk and opportunity, providing clear reporting and forecasting to senior leadership
• Act as the senior commercial point of contact for clients, consultants and key supply chain partners
• Support bids, tenders and pre-construction activity, contributing commercial input to pricing and delivery strategy
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing commercial team, including recruitment and succession planning
• Contribute to wider business strategy and operational planning as part of the senior leadership group

WHAT YOU NEED

• Substantial senior commercial experience with a main contractor, developer or major sub-contractor on large-scale projects
• Track record at Commercial Manager, Commercial Lead or Commercial Director level with full P&L or portfolio accountability
• Data centre or mission-critical experience is beneficial but not essential — candidates from other complex, high-value sectors are equally welcomed
• Strong working knowledge of international forms of contract and multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction commercial management
• Proven leadership capability, with experience building and developing commercial teams
• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline preferred; chartered status advantageous but not essential
• Willingness to be based in Helsinki with periodic travel across European project locations

WHAT YOU'LL GET IN RETURN

A base salary of €200,000 is on offer, supported by an executive-level benefits package and performance-linked bonus. Beyond the headline figure, this appointment carries equity participation and a genuine pathway to board-level involvement as the Northern European operation continues to scale. You will step into a business with a secured, long-term project pipeline, meaning the commercial function you build is being resourced for sustained growth rather than a single programme. For a senior commercial professional seeking autonomy, influence and a seat at the table, this is a rare opportunity at a pivotal point in the business.