Commercial Lead

Dalkia; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dalkia UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Lead, MEP to steer project commercial and contractual matters from a regional Nottingham base. The role leads a multi-disciplinary QS team, balances governance with practical leadership, and partners with senior management to protect profitability.

The role requires strong negotiation, analytical and leadership capabilities, with a hands-on approach in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Up-to-date commercial awareness and a hands-on approach to high-pressure environments.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and persuasion skills.
• Strong analytical and evaluation ability with sound decision-making and time management.
• Proven leadership experience—able to coach, develop, and motivate a team while acting as a role model.
• Accurate, highly organised, and detail-focused.
• A proactive, positive approach with a genuine commitment to team and company success.

Responsibilities

• Acting as key commercial advisor to the Commercial Director on all project commercial and contractual matters
• Leading, managing, and mentoring a team of Senior, Project, and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, plus Commercial Administration staff
• Advising Project Management teams on commercial risks and issues arising throughout the project lifecycle
• Negotiating new contracts and contract amendments to form balanced, equitable business relationships
• Maximising profitability and revenue while mitigating expenditure
• Maintaining strong cash flow through tracking of applications, certifications, and invoices
• Preparing monthly budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and cost value reconciliation reports
• Reviewing ITB documents and conducting commercial viability and risk analysis
• Leading tender and project reviews, escalating as needed
• Overseeing risk reporting and controls across projects
• Leading contract negotiations and documentation for legal review
• Ensuring subcontractors and suppliers are procured and pre-qualified
• Drafting and issuing Letters of Intent and contractual correspondence
• Negotiating performance bonds and insurance terms
• Managing claims from notification to closure
• Validating final account applications and recommendations
• Chairing commercial review meetings and ensuring costs are reconcilable and audit-ready
• Managing resourcing and recruitment needs across the commercial team
• Representing the company at progress and commercial meetings

Skills

Commercial leadership

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Leadership

Time management

Decision making

Coaching

Education

Degree qualified

Job description

About Dalkia UK

At Dalkia, we're driven by a shared purpose: tackling climate change and building a better, more sustainable future. We bring together talented people who share knowledge, challenge each other and grow together.

Backed by EDF, Britain's biggest generator of low carbon electricity, we're a people-first culture. With 5,000+ employees and £600m+ turnover, we combine the strength of a major group with a great culture, innovative mindset and inclusive values making Dalkia a great place to work and grow your career.

Commercial Lead - MEP

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Lead, M&E to provide commercial and contracts leadership across our project portfolio, working closely with our Commercial Director and Senior Management. This is a senior, high-impact role for a commercially astute leader who can balance strong financial governance with the ability to lead, mentor, and develop a number of Quantity Surveyors.

This role is hybrid out of our regional office in Nottingham.

What you'll be doing:

• Acting as key commercial advisor to the Commercial Director on all project commercial and contractual matters
• Leading, managing, and mentoring a team of Senior, Project, and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, plus Commercial Administration staff, setting clear standards and objectives
• Advising Project Management teams on commercial risks and issues arising throughout the project lifecycle
• Negotiating new contracts and contract amendments to form balanced, equitable business relationships without undue risk to the company
• Maximising company entitlement to profitability and revenue while mitigating and minimising expenditure
• Maintaining strong cash flow through robust tracking of applications, certifications, and invoices
• Preparing monthly budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and cost value reconciliation reports detailing P&L against forecast
• Reviewing Invitation to Bid (ITB) documents and conducting commercial viability and risk analysis, including indemnification and liability considerations
• Leading individual tender and project reviews, escalating to Tender Board Committee where value or risk exposure requires it
• Overseeing strategic and operational risk reporting and controls across all projects
• Leading contract negotiations and preparing documentation for legal review
• Ensuring subcontractors and suppliers are procured and pre-qualified in line with company procedure
• Drafting and issuing Letters of Intent and contractual correspondence
• Negotiating performance bonds, parent company guarantees, and insurance terms
• Proactively managing claims from notification through to closure
• Validating and negotiating final account applications and recommendations
• Chairing commercial review meetings with project teams, ensuring costs are fully reconcilable and audit-ready
• Managing resourcing and identifying recruitment needs across the commercial team
• Representing the company at internal and external progress and commercial meetings

What we're looking for:

Do you have a strong track record in commercial leadership within the M&E / MEP industries?

You will need;

• Up-to-date commercial awareness and a hands-on approach to high-pressure environments
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and persuasion skills
• Strong analytical and evaluation ability, with sound decision-making and time management
• Proven leadership experience — able to coach, develop, and motivate a team while acting as a role model
• Accurate, highly organised, and detail-focused
• A proactive, positive approach with a genuine commitment to team and company success

Qualifications:

• Degree qualified, or qualified through extensive relevant experience
• Proven experience setting up commercial management and reporting systems

Our Values

People First – It starts with health, safety and wellbeing

Better Together – A collaborative team

Trusted Partners – Dedicated to our clients' success

Taking Responsibility – Making a positive difference

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We're committed to an inclusive and fair recruitment process. If you need any adjustments please let us know, in confidence, our team is here to support you.