Commercial Lead

Dalkia UK; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Dalkia UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Lead, M&E to provide leadership across our project portfolio, reporting to the Commercial Director and Senior Management. This is a senior, high-impact role with a strong governance mindset and the ability to mentor several Quantity Surveyors.

This hybrid role is based out of our Nottingham regional office and requires commercial acumen, risk management, contract negotiations and a drive to maximise profitability while safeguarding cash flow.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading commercial teams in M&E/MEP projects.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent analytical abilities and attention to detail.
• Proven leadership—coaching and mentoring a team.
• Highly organized with a proactive, team-focused approach.
• Degree qualification or substantial relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as key commercial adviser to the Commercial Director on project matters.
• Lead and mentor senior, project, and assistant quantity surveyors and staff.
• Manage commercial risks and issues across the project lifecycle.
• Negotiate contracts and amendments to balance risk and rewards.
• Ensure cash flow, budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting are robust.
• Oversee procurement of subcontractors and pre-qualification processes.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Negotiation

Leadership & mentoring

Risk management

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

Contract management systems

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.