Commercial Manager - Developer

Deverell Smith Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Deverell Smith Ltd is seeking a Commercial Manager to lead commercial activities across residential developments. The role involves hands-on management of subcontractor packages, tendering, budgeting, and development appraisals, with travel across live sites as needed.

You will work closely with the in-house QS and cost consultants to ensure profitable project delivery. The candidate should have proven experience in a Commercial Manager or Senior Quantity Surveyor role, solid knowledge of JCT

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Commercial Manager or Senior Quantity Surveyor role within residential development or contracting.
• Strong knowledge of JCT Design and Build and Minor Works contracts.
• Hands-on management of subcontractor packages and tendering.
• Experience budgeting, cost reports, and development appraisals.
• Commercial mindset with high attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel across live sites as required; work in small team.

Responsibilities

• Cost new developments and contractor opportunities
• Prepare budgets and development appraisals
• Produce tender submissions
• Obtain and analyse subcontractor quotations
• Value landowner proposals from a build-cost perspective
• Prepare contract documentation using JCT forms
• Manage subcontractor appointments
• Liaise with solicitors on amendments and conditions
• Ensure contracts are executed and administered
• Produce monthly cost reports
• Monitor project profitability

Skills

Commercial acumen

Subcontractor management

Budgeting

Cost reporting

Development appraisals

JCT contracts

Multi-site travel

Attention to detail

Education

MRICS or similar

Job description

Commercial Manager

Salary: Up to 90,000 + benefits

Location: Hammersmith office but role covers south region

Must be able to drive

The Company

Our client is a residential property developer operating across four connected areas of the business:

• Development - buying land, securing planning consent, and delivering schemes
• In-house contracting - a relatively young arm (4-5 years old) that is growing steadily
• Asset management
• Property management - including security/void management of around 20 empty buildings on behalf of insolvency administrators

Schemes typically range from single units up to c. 100-unit developments, with land deals ongoing at any given time. The team is small and close-knit - hardworking but sociable, with regular team lunches and drinks.

About the Role

We are looking for someone commercial and hands-on - someone who understands how to package work out to subcontractors and is comfortable managing the contracting process directly, not just advising on it from the sidelines.

You will work alongside an in-house QS and draw on third-party building surveyors and cost consultants as needed. Over time, there is a clear opportunity to help build out a professional services offering within the business - such as cost consultancy or contract administration - potentially run semi-independently within the company.

This role will involve travel across the client's site network, which currently spans Epsom, Bristol, Worthing, Hammersmith, Wandsworth, Chiswick, Bromley, Haslemere, and Prime London.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-construction

• Cost new developments and contractor opportunities
• Prepare budgets and development appraisals
• Produce tender submissions
• Obtain and analyse subcontractor quotations
• Value landowner proposals from a build-cost perspective

Contractual

• Prepare contract documentation using standard forms such as JCT Design and Build Contract and JCT Minor Works Contract where appropriate
• Manage appointments of subcontractors
• Liaise with solicitors on amendments and special conditions
• Ensure contracts are properly executed and administered

Commercial Management

• Produce monthly cost reports
• Monitor project profitability

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in a Commercial Manager or Senior Quantity Surveyor role, ideally within residential development and/or contracting
• Strong working knowledge of JCT contracts (Design and Build, Minor Works)
• Hands-on experience managing subcontractor packages and the tendering process
• Confident preparing budgets, cost reports, and development appraisals
• Commercially minded with strong attention to detail
• Comfortable working across multiple live sites and travelling as required
• Comfortable working in a small, close-knit team environment

Desirable

• MRICS or working towards chartership
• Experience or interest in helping build a professional services function (cost consultancy / contract administration)