Head of Commercial

Keltbray; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Keltbray is seeking a Head of Commercial – Datacentres to lead the commercial function across its Data Centre portfolio within the Energy & Digital Infrastructure vertical. The role requires strategic commercial leadership, governance and risk management to support a rapidly expanding portfolio of digital infrastructure projects.

Working closely with the Head of Data Centres, Operations Director and pre-construction teams, you will establish scalable commercial frameworks that protect margin and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in commercial management within major construction, infrastructure or mission-critical projects.
• Strong contract structures, risk allocation and governance.
• Experience negotiating and managing complex construction contracts.
• Professional qualification or chartership (RICS or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across the Data Centre commercial function.
• Develop and implement sector commercial strategies.
• Ensure contracts are administered effectively and monitor cost and risk.
• Lead development of contract strategies and negotiation with clients.
• Oversee supply chain commercial management.
• Collaborate with pre-construction and work-winning teams.
• Lead a high-performing commercial team.
• Ensure governance and reporting across the sector.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract negotiation

Financial management

Stakeholder communication

Data centres experience

Hyperscale operators

NEC/FIDIC familiarity

Education

RICS chartership

Job description

Job Title: Head of Commercial - Datacentres – Energy & Digital Infrastructure

Reporting To: Energy & Digital Infrastructure Divisional Leads and Group Commercial Director

Location: Flexible (London Office & project locations). Regular travel to sites (Europe & UK) client offices and strategic partners as required.

Summary

The “Head of Commercial – Datacentres” is responsible for leading the commercial function across Keltbray’s Data Centre portfolio within the Energy & Digital Infrastructure vertical.

The role provides strategic commercial leadership across all projects within the sector, ensuring that commercial strategy, governance and risk management support the successful delivery of a rapidly expanding portfolio of digital infrastructure projects.

Working closely with the Head of Data Centres, Operations Director and pre-construction teams, the postholder will establish robust commercial frameworks that protect margin, manage risk and support disciplined project delivery.

The role will lead the commercial management of major data centre projects from early engagement through to delivery and final account, ensuring alignment between contractual strategy, operational performance and financial outcomes.

The Head of Commercial will play a key role in building a scalable commercial function capable of supporting multiple concurrent projects and maintaining strong commercial discipline across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership & Strategy:

• Provide leadership and direction across the commercial function for the Data Centre sector.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies that support the successful delivery of the sector portfolio.
• Ensure commercial considerations are fully integrated into project planning, procurement and delivery.
• Work closely with sector leadership to ensure commercial strategies align with business objectives.
• Support development of sector budgets, financial forecasts, performance targets and sustainable growth objectives.

Project Commercial Management & Assurance:

• Provide oversight of commercial performance across the Data Centre project portfolio.
• Ensure contracts are administered effectively and consistently across projects, monitoring cost performance, marginprotection and risk exposure across the sector.
• Provide support and challenge to project commercial teams to ensure robust commercial management.
• Ensure early identification and management of commercial risk.
• Support resolution of major commercial issues, disputes or contractual matters.
• Ensure lessons learned are captured and embedded across the portfolio.
• Lead the development and implementation of contract strategies for Data Centre projects.
• Support negotiation of major project contracts with clients, developers and EPC partners.
• Ensure contractual obligations are clearly understood and managed across delivery teams.
• Provide guidance on contractual risk allocation and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure commercial governance processes are followed across the sector.
• Support preparation and defence of commercial positions in contractual discussions where required.

Supply Chain Commercial Management:

• Oversee commercial management of the supply chain across the Data Centre portfolio.
• Ensure procurement strategies support both commercial outcomes and delivery certainty.
• Support development of long-term relationships with key subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ensure supply chain contracts are structured appropriately to manage risk and protect margin.
• Provide leadership in resolving major commercial issues with supply chain partners.
• Ensure effective commercial performance management of subcontractors across projects.

Integration with Pre-Construction & Work Winning:

• Work closely with pre-construction teams to ensure robust commercial input into bids and proposals.
• Support development of pricing strategies, risk allowances and commercial frameworks during pursuit phases.
• Provide commercial oversight of major tenders and negotiated opportunities.
• Ensure commercial commitments made during bid stages are aligned with delivery capability.
• Support early contractor engagement opportunities where commercial leadership is required.
• Ensure lessons learned from project delivery inform future commercial strategies.

Team Leadership & Capability Building:

• Build and lead a high-performing commercial team across the Data Centre sector.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and development to commercial managers and project quantity surveyors.
• Establish organisational structures capable of supporting sector growth.
• Promote collaboration between commercial, operational and technical teams.
• Ensure the commercial function has the capability required to support complex digital infrastructure projects.
• Ensure robust commercial governance is maintained across the Data Centre portfolio.
• Monitor sector financial performance, including revenue, margin and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with company commercial procedures and contractual requirements.
• Support sector leadership with financial reporting and performance oversight.
• Ensure commercial risks are clearly identified, managed and reported.
• Promote a culture of commercial discipline and accountability across the sector.

Strategic Alignment:

• Support the growth and evolution of Keltbray’s Data Centre sector by establishing a robust commercial framework capable of
• supporting a substantial project portfolio.
• Ensure commercial strategy aligns with operational delivery, programme objectives and sector growth plans.
• Support the development of commercial approaches that improve certainty and efficiency across the Data Centre portfolio.
• Provide commercial insight to sector leadership regarding market trends, contract structures and procurement strategies.
• Strengthen credibility with developers, hyperscalers and strategic partners through disciplined commercial management.
• Contribute to the continued development of the Energy & Digital Infrastructure vertical as a major growth platform within

Candidate Requirements

• Extensive experience in commercial management within major construction, infrastructure or mission-critical project environments, leading commercial teams across large project portfolios.
• Strong understanding of contract structures, risk allocation and commercial governance.
• Demonstrated capability in negotiating and managing complex construction contracts.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage financial performance across multiple projects.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to operate effectively within a senior leadership environment.
• Experience delivering data centres, digital infrastructure or mission-critical facilities.
• Experience working with hyperscale operators, developers or major PMC’s.
• Familiarity with collaborative contract forms such as NEC/FIDIC.
• Professional qualification or chartership (RICS or equivalent).

Package

• Salary: Competitive, senior level remuneration commensurate with experience.
• Expenses: Travel and subsistence reimbursed at HMRC or agreed commercial rates
• Bonus: Performance-related, aligned to project outcomes and delivery performance.

Diversity & Inclusion

Keltbray is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We are committed to attracting, developing and retaining diverse talent and believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our business, drives innovation and better reflects the communities we serve.