Associate Director - Contracts & Commercial

Adler & Allan Ltd; Exeter; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm in the UK is searching for an Associate Director to lead its Contracts & Commercial team. The role involves ensuring high-quality service delivery and client satisfaction while managing a skilled team. Essential qualifications include team leadership, NEC knowledge, and project cost management. The company offers a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, and substantial benefits including a pension scheme and career progression opportunities.

Benefits

Company pension

25 days annual leave

Electric Car Scheme

Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay

Qualifications

• Experience in managing contract documentation and project cost.
• Strong report writing and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge in post-contract practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Contract & Commercial Team and ensure delivery excellence.
• Oversee management and growth of team performance.
• Contribute to client satisfaction and revenue targets.

Skills

Team leadership and management

Effective communication

Project cost management

NEC3 / 4 working knowledge

Post Contract experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

Estimating software

Job description

Associate Director - Contracts & Commercial

Permanent - Full Time (40 hours)

Competitive salary plus benefits

Based out of Leeds office, but role will cover Aqua clients across the North of England, so must be willing to commute to client offices and sites as required.

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for delivering high-quality contract and commercial services? Do you want to make a real impact in the water and utilities sector? At Aqua Consultants, we are searching for skilled professionals to help us deliver world‑class solutions for our clients. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are ready to contribute to exciting projects, we want to hear from you!

As this is a consultant role, and it is likely the post holder will be seconded into one of Aqua's clients on a part time or full time basis on an occasional or permanent basis.

What you'll be doing (Please note this is not an exhaustive list but gives a flavour of the work to be undertaken) :

• Assisting leadership of the Contract & Commercial Team with a focus on line management, team growth and excellence in delivery.
• Providing line management to senior members of the Contract & Commercial Team, ensuring compliance with business process and supporting team members with line management responsibility.
• Lead in own areas of service delivery to clients, ensuring high quality service delivery and client satisfaction.
• Contributing to overall team growth and expansion of client base.
• Providing oversight on team utilisation and contribute to ensuring team objectives for utilisation are met.
• Be sighted on and contribute to the delivery of team Revenue, GM, and EBITDA targets as set by the business each year.
• Providing support to Head of Commercial, acting in their stead when required and with delegated authority where provided.
• Contributing to the safety leadership in achieving zero harm to all and taking a lead role in ensuring that everyone goes home safe every day.
• Champion well-being in Aqua through example and pastoral leadership : Promote & support the wellbeing of both self and staff through maintenance of healthy work : life balance, taking care to manage energy levels and taking recovery after peak periods of work load activity.
• As a senior member of the Contract & Commercial Team, ensure that appropriate collaborative behaviours, 'best for project' principles are adopted at all times, leading by example in the pursuit of successful delivery of commissions to the benefit of both client and Aqua alike.
• Take the lead in driving a solutions focused approach to problem solving and embedding continuous learning into team culture, building on successes as well as avoiding repeat failures.

What you'll need to bring :

Essential

• Team leadership and management
• NEC3 / 4 working knowledge.
• Pre Contract / Contract Documentation experience
• Post Contract experience.
• Project cost management skills including organisational and diligent skills.
• Effective communication, report writing and interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and other specialist computer packages (SAP, CRM's, etc).

Desirable

• Water Industry or wider utilities experience preferred.
• MRICS / MCICES or working towards
• Microsoft project / Gantt chart experience
• PowerBi experience
• Estimating software experience

What we would like to offer you :

• Competitive salary + discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• 25 days annual leave + Bank holidays + option to purchase additional leave.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme
• Company mobile phone and laptop provided.
• Training and career progression opportunities
• Professional Membership fees paid.
• Life Assurance Scheme 4 x annual salary
• Electric Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (with access to GP appointments, Physio appointments and Mental Health Support)
• Medicash cash plan (Money back on everyday healthcare costs such as dental, glasses, contact lenses)
• Refer a friend scheme.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay and leave

Why Aqua Consultants?

We are a fast growing organisation with highly experienced staff at the heart of everything we do. We offer more than just a day job - Aqua offers very competitive salaries and a great working environment. You'll be able to input into the development and growth of our business whilst we help you progress in your career.

Adler and Allan are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. If you require any support with your application, whatever the circumstance, please let us know.