Commercial Director (Residential)

Fawkes & Reece London; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Career progression

UK projects

Job summary

Our client, a leading UK housebuilder, is seeking an experienced Commercial Director to join its senior leadership team in Bristol. This is a strategic role responsible for leading the commercial function, cost control, procurement excellence, and performance across the regional business.

The successful candidate will drive profitability, oversee commercial teams, and contribute to the overall business strategy as a member of the regional board.

Qualifications

• Experience in residential housebuilding or property development.
• Senior management experience within a commercial function.
• Strong knowledge of commercial management, procurement, cost control, and contractual frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large commercial teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills.
• Commercially astute with a track record of delivering profitability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the regional commercial strategy in line with business objectives.
• Monitor the commercial viability of developments throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead procurement strategies to deliver value, efficiency, and cost savings.
• Collaborate with design and engineering teams to maximise value engineering opportunities.
• Communicate strategic objectives across the commercial department and monitor performance against targets.
• Oversee procurement of materials and subcontractors.
• Ensure effective placement and management of subcontract orders.
• Maintain robust financial controls across multiple developments; manage budgeting and scheduling.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining quality and programme requirements.
• Drive cost control culture; produce regular commercial and financial reports for MD and Board.
• Monitor project budgets, forecasts, risks, and opportunities; reconcile monthly cost reports.
• Lead, develop, and motivate the commercial team; establish department structure; conduct reviews.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Procurement

Cost control

Contractual frameworks

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Job description

Commercial Director (Residential Construction)

Location: Bristol

Project: Large Residential Development

Salary: Competitive with Excellent Benefits & Career Development

Our client, a leading UK housebuilder, is seeking an experienced Commercial Director to join its senior leadership team in Bristol. This is a strategic position responsible for leading the commercial function, ensuring robust cost control, procurement excellence, and commercial performance across the regional business.

The successful candidate will play a key role in driving profitability, managing contractual and procurement activities, overseeing commercial teams, and contributing to the overall business strategy as a member of the regional board.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement the regional commercial strategy in line with business objectives. Work closely with the senior leadership team to support the commercial management of the business.
• Monitor the commercial viability of developments throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead procurement strategies to deliver value, efficiency, and cost savings.
• Collaborate with design and engineering teams to maximise value engineering opportunities.
• Communicate strategic objectives across the commercial department and monitor performance against targets.

Commercial Management & Procurement

• Oversee the procurement of materials and subcontractors.
• Ensure effective placement and management of subcontract orders.
• Maintain robust financial controls across multiple developments. Manage material purchasing and scheduling activities.
• Contribute to the preparation and management of development budgets.
• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining quality and programme requirements.

Financial Control & Reporting

• Drive a strong culture of cost control and commercial accountability.
• Produce regular commercial and financial reports for the Managing Director and Board.
• Monitor project budgets, forecasts, risks, and opportunities.
• Reconcile and present monthly cost reports. Ensure commercial targets and business objectives are achieved.

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and motivate the commercial team, including Surveyors, Buyers, and Estimators.
• Establish an effective departmental structure to support business growth.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and support career development initiatives. Identify skills gaps and implement development or improvement plans where required.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration and continuous improvement.

Board & Business Contribution

• Act as a key member of the regional board and leadership team.
• Contribute to wider business decisions across operational functions.
• Support the achievement of key business targets including profitability, return on capital, sales performance, and land acquisition objectives.
• Maintain oversight of health & safety, risk management, and customer service considerations.
• Lead and attend key project meetings including concept, pre-tender, pre-start, and specification reviews.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across departments.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience working within a residential housebuilding or property development environment.
• Previous experience operating at senior management level within a commercial function.
• Strong knowledge of commercial management, procurement, cost control, and contractual frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage large commercial teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills.
• Commercially astute with a strong track record of delivering business performance and profitability.

What's on Offer

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established and highly respected housebuilder at a senior leadership level. The role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, long-term career progression, and the chance to play a key role in shaping the commercial success of a growing regional business.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Commercial Director seeking a role within a growing consultancy, delivering high-profile projects across the UK while benefiting from genuine career progression and professional development opportunities.