Commercial Director

Cipher Search; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

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. You will own the commercial performance across the full lifecycle and take accountability for a large NEC Option F contract in London.

A 45-person commercial team reporting to you will be developed and led. This is a strategist's appointment demanding political awareness, stakeholder management at senior levels, and

Qualifications

• Must have Tier 1 Civil Engineering experience.
• Proven track record as Commercial Lead on major infrastructure projects.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with programme level impact.
• Detailed knowledge of construction contracts incl. NEC (Option F), FIDIC and IChemE.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial leadership through development and implementation of strategy for the programme.
• Own the financial management of the programme, including budgets and cash flow.
• Lead contract negotiations to protect relationships and maximise outcomes.
• Be accountable for a 45-strong commercial team including recruitment and development.
• Embed and apply commercial processes, procurement policy and supply chain controls.
• Manage costs, drive out inefficiency, and ensure prompt final accounts resolution.
• Provide commercial, contractual, insurance and legal guidance to the project and sector.

Skills

Tier 1 Civil Engineering experience

Commercial leadership

Financial acumen

Stakeholder management

Contract negotiations

NEC Option F experience

Job description

To be considered for this role, you must have Tier 1 Civil Engineering experience.

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.