Commercial Director (P&B Building Services)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an experienced Commercial Leader to manage risk and unlock opportunities across the full project life cycle, from bidding to delivery. You will provide strategic commercial guidance within a complex, client-facing environment.

Reporting to the Property and Buildings Portfolio Commercial and Risk Director, you will partner with Legal, Finance and Operations to minimise risk and maximise returns while aligning with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
• Excellent commercial acumen with experience in contract negotiation and disputes.
• Experience across complex, multi-disciplinary projects including design and build contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial input to major bids, tenders and contract negotiations, in line with governance.
• Provide end-to-end commercial support across bidding activity, project delivery, frameworks and working capital recovery.
• Manage commercial risk, opportunities, claims and disputes in line with company policy.
• Support clients and project teams on change management, contractual compliance and communications.
• Work with Portfolio Commercial Directors to improve processes and promote a strong commercial culture.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial acumen

Contract negotiations

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Relevant degree and/or professional membership

Tools

NEC contracts familiarity

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Global Leader in Property & Buildings Consulting

WSP is a leading consultancy in the planning, design and delivery of buildings and places that support thriving communities, successful organisations and a more sustainable built environment.

Our global community of professionals brings together engineering, sustainability, digital and advisory expertise, working collaboratively to combine global best practice with strong local knowledge. We form agile, multi-disciplinary teams to address the unique technical, environmental and commercial challenges of each project.

Our Property & Buildings portfolio spans the full asset life cycle, from early strategy, planning and design through delivery and operation to refurbishment, optimisation and decarbonisation. We work across a diverse range of sectors and building types, helping clients create high-performing, resilient and future-ready places that deliver lasting value.

A Little More About Your Role…

As part of our Commercial function, you’ll help teams manage risk and unlock opportunity across the full project life cycle from bidding and winning work to delivering it successfully, guided by our Project First approach.

Reporting to the Property and Buildings Portfolio Commercial and Risk Director, you’ll act as a trusted commercial partner to the Building Services Discipline and colleagues alongside, our Price to Win, Legal, Finance and Operations Teams. Through strong commercial judgement and collaborative working, you’ll help minimise risk, maximise financial returns and ensure outcomes align with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commercial input to major bids, tenders and contract negotiations, in line with governance.
• Provide end-to-end commercial support across bidding activity project delivery, frameworks and working capital recovery.
• Manage commercial risk, opportunities, claims and disputes in line with company policy.
• Support clients and project teams on change management, contractual compliance and communications.
• Work collaboratively with the Property & Buildings Portfolio Commercial Directors to contribute to continuous improvement and a strong commercial culture and awareness of risk across Property & Buildings.

What We Are Looking For You To Demonstrate…

We’re looking for an experienced, commercially minded leader who can bring strong people leadership, operational understanding and commercial expertise within a complex, client-facing environment. You’ll be collaborative and pragmatic, comfortable working across all levels of the business and confident in challenging, influencing and driving improvement.

• Proven people and commercial leadership experience within a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
• Excellent commercial acumen, with experience of contract negotiation and management, disputes and settlements, alongside a good understanding of consultancy performance drivers.
• Experience working across complex, multi-disciplinary projects, including design and build contracts, term service contracts and large programmatic frameworks, as well as experience of supporting the provision of MEP services at all RIBA stages.
• Contract management experience across bespoke consultant appointments and standard forms, particularly NEC, ideally within the UK and/or Ireland.
• A sound understanding of operational performance, with the ability to identify risks, improve performance and streamline ways of working.
• A positive and inclusive leadership style, with experience of coaching and developing others, delegating accountability and supporting succession planning.
• The ability to think strategically and turn longer-term commercial priorities into practical improvements across people, process and practice.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including the confidence to present, facilitate and build effective relationships across different levels and disciplines.
• Experience within the Built environment, gained within a consultancy, contractor or client organisation.
• A relevant degree and/or professional membership.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

Work-life balance

• At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.
• Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

• We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society.
• We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.
• We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

• We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.
• Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.
• We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need.
• You can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

• To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.
• We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

• We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.