Commercial Manager – Residential Dev, 34 Days Holiday

Cala Group Limited; Winchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34 days holiday

Private healthcare

Pension contributions (5% employee, 10

ULEV car scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Retail discounts

Job summary

The Cala Group is a major UK housebuilder seeking a Commercial Manager to lead the regional buying and surveying team, managing budgets, forecasts and procurement strategies across residential development projects.

You will work closely with Sales, Land, Construction, Technical, and external consultants to ensure strong governance, timely reporting, and delivery of business objectives at Cala.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Strong commercial management experience within the residential development or construction sector.
• Good technical knowledge with working understanding of current Building Regulations and NHBC standards.
• Knowledge of standard forms of contract and subcontract arrangements.
• Proven experience leading, managing, and motivating commercial teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of wider business objectives.
• Ability to produce accurate cost reports, forecasts, and presentations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership for the buying and surveying team, motivating, supporting, and managing performance.
• Undertake annual Performance Development Reviews and support training and development activity.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of site performance, budgets, and financial forecasts across the development portfolio.
• Provide guidance and challenge to the team in producing accurate estimates, budgets, and cost forecasts.
• Monitor site performance against plans, budgets, and financial targets, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Assist in the preparation of Board papers, reports, and commercial updates.
• Support the tendering process, including land bids and PTPs, providing commercial input.
• Manage all post‑contract commercial responsibilities across developments.
• Lead subcontractor procurement, including orders, valuation, and disputes resolution.
• Create, monitor, and control budgets for subcontractors, materials, preliminaries, sales and marketing, technical, and land costs.
• Approve order and payment variations within delegated authority.
• Liaise with buying function to manage material orders and cost control.
• Produce accurate cost reports and key date updates.
• Communicate with Sales, Land, Construction, Technical, Architects, and Consultants for alignment.
• Promote continuous improvement and challenge existing processes to improve commercial performance.
• Act as a professional ambassador for Cala and maintain strong relationships.

Skills

Strong commercial management

Leadership & team motivation

Budgeting and forecasting

Cost reporting

Contract knowledge

Regulatory understanding (Building Reg

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Cala Group is a major UK housebuilder seeking a Commercial Manager to lead the regional buying and surveying team, managing budgets, forecasts and procurement strategies across residential development projects.

You will work closely with Sales, Land, Construction, Technical, and external consultants to ensure strong governance, timely reporting, and delivery of business objectives at Cala.