Commercial Director (Residential)

Fawkes & Reece London; West of England; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK housebuilder in Bristol is seeking a Commercial Director to head the regional commercial function and drive profitability across developments. The role covers strategy, procurement, budgeting, cost controls, and board-level contributions.

You will lead a team of surveyors, buyers and estimators, monitor commercial performance, and align procurement with project objectives, while playing a key role in shaping business strategy and value engineering opportunities.

Qualifications

• Senior management level experience in a commercial function.
• Strong knowledge of commercial management, procurement, cost control, and contractual frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead large commercial teams and deliver profitability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the regional commercial strategy and monitor viability of developments.
• Oversee procurement of materials and subcontractors and manage budgets and costs.
• Produce regular commercial and financial reports for the MD and Board and monitor forecasts and risks.
• Lead, develop and motivate the commercial team including surveyors, buyers and estimators, with performance reviews.
• Attend project meetings (concept, pre-tender, pre-start, specification reviews) and contribute to strategic decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Team leadership

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.