Commercial Director

Cipher Search; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cipher Search has been retained to appoint a Senior Commercial Director to lead all commercial activity on a nationally significant UK rail infrastructure programme in London. You will own the commercial performance from strategy through to final account and oversee a 45-strong team.

The role requires deep contract knowledge, including NEC Option F, and the ability to navigate a high-profile, politically sensitive environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as Commercial Lead for a Tier 1 main contractor or delivery consultancy on major infrastructure projects.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with ability to develop and implement strategy at programme level.
• Detailed knowledge of construction contracts, including NEC (Option F), FIDIC and IChemE.
• Demonstrated ability to build, lead and develop high performing commercial teams.
• Credibility and stakeholder skills to manage senior client relationships with confidence.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial leadership through development and implementation of commercial strategy aligned to the wider business plan.
• Own the financial management of the programme, including budgets, cash flow, forecasting and overall financial performance.
• Lead contract negotiations with clients, driving satisfactory commercial outcomes while protecting relationships and customer experience.
• Take full accountability for a team of 45, including recruitment strategy, coaching, mentoring and rectification of underperformance.
• Ensure commercial processes, procurement policy and supply chain compliance are embedded and consistently applied across all relevant projects.
• Manage, reduce and drive out unnecessary cost and inefficiency, verify monthly financial reporting and ensure prompt resolution of final accounts.
• Provide commercial, contractual, insurance and legal guidance to the project, sector and wider business.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Contract knowledge

Job description

Senior Commercial Director - Landmark Civils Project - London

Cipher Search is retained on an exclusive search to appoint a Senior Commercial Director to lead all commercial activity on a nationally significant UK rail infrastructure programme.

This is a strategist's appointment. You will own commercial performance across the full project lifecycle, from strategy through to final account, and take direct accountability for the delivery of a large scale NEC Option F contract. You will lead and develop a commercial team of 45, setting the standard for how commercial, contractual and financial management is executed across the programme. Beyond the numbers, you will operate in a high profile, politically sensitive environment, managing complex client and stakeholder agendas at the most senior level and holding your own in the room when it matters.

The role in detail:

• Provide commercial leadership through the development and implementation of commercial strategy aligned to the wider business plan.
• Own the financial management of the programme, including budgets, cash flow, forecasting and overall financial performance.
• Lead contract negotiations with clients, driving satisfactory commercial outcomes while protecting the relationship and the customer experience.
• Take full accountability for a team of 45, including selection, recruitment strategy, coaching, mentoring and the rectification of underperformance.
• Ensure commercial processes, procurement policy and supply chain compliance are embedded and consistently applied across all relevant projects.
• Manage, reduce and drive out unnecessary cost and inefficiency, verifying monthly financial reporting and ensuring the prompt resolution of final accounts.
• Provide commercial, contractual, insurance and legal guidance to the project, the sector and the wider business.
• What you will bring:
• A proven track record as a Commercial Lead for a Tier 1 main contractor or delivery consultancy on a major infrastructure project.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to develop and implement commercial strategy at programme level.
• Detailed knowledge of construction contracts, including NEC (Option F), FIDIC and IChemE.
• A genuine record of building, leading and developing high performing commercial teams.
• The credibility, political awareness and stakeholder skill to manage senior client relationships and sensitive agendas with confidence.

This is a career defining appointment on a landmark scheme. If you are a commercial strategist ready to lead at scale, I would welcome a discreet conversation.