M&E Commercial Director

James Lewis Recruitment; Ivy Chimneys; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK recruitment firm seeks a Commercial Director to manage the commercial function on a high-density data centre campus. Responsibilities include shaping commercial strategy, managing subcontracts, and driving project delivery while protecting margins. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in commercial management within similar environments and proven success in leading commercial teams on major projects. Interested candidates should submit their CVs for more details.

Benefits

Bonus structure

Car allowance

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in commercial leadership on data centre projects.
• Proven ability to manage large contracts and safeguard margins.
• Strong track record of building and mentoring commercial teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial function on a multi-phase data centre project.
• Manage commercial strategy including contract negotiations.
• Develop and oversee budgets and change control.

Skills

Commercial management of large projects

Negotiation of NEC and JCT contracts

Change control and risk management

CVR methodology

Leading commercial delivery

Job description

Commercial Director – Data Centre Campus

£120,000-£140,000 + car or allowance + bonus + PMI | M&E Design & Build | Hyperscale / AI Data Centres

We're recruiting a Commercial Director to lead the commercial function on a flagship data centre campus – a multi-phase, high-density site delivering hyperscale/AI‑ready facilities. You’ll own commercial strategy from pre‑con through delivery and final account, protecting margin and managing risk across major M&E and fit‑out packages while working closely with project leadership, client teams and a specialist supply chain.

What you are delivering

• A clear commercial strategy for a multi‑£10m, multi‑phase data centre programme.
• Robust contracts and subcontracts with balanced risk/reward and clear deliverables.
• Accurate CVRs, forecasting and cash‑flow that give the board and client confidence.
• Effective change‑management, claims and risk control to protect margin and programme.
• Strong client and supply‑chain relationships built on transparency and consistency.
• A capable commercial team aligned to best‑practice processes and project outcomes.

What you will run day to day

• Own commercial governance: procedures, reporting and approvals across the campus.
• Shape commercial input to bids and new phases – pricing strategies, contractual positions and risk registers.
• Lead contract and subcontract negotiation (typically NEC/JCT), ensuring scope clarity and fair risk allocation.
• Build and manage budgets for M&E plant, power, cooling, civils and commissioning packages.
• Oversee change control – capture, value and agree variations, EWNs and compensation events.
• Lead monthly CVRs, cash‑flow and forecast reviews with clear risk/opportunity commentary.
• Direct procurement strategies for major packages; negotiate terms and framework agreements.
• Maintain strong commercial records to avoid disputes and support entitlement where needed.
• Act as senior commercial point‑of‑contact for client and internal stakeholders.
• Line‑manage QSs / commercial managers – objectives, mentoring, appraisals and development.

What you need knowledge in

• Commercial management of large, M&E‑intensive or data centre / mission‑critical projects.
• NEC and JCT contracts (or similar), including target cost, lump sum and pain/gain mechanisms.
• Data‑centre cost drivers: power distribution, resilience, cooling, generators, UPS, security and controls.
• Change control, claims, risk management and value engineering on high‑capex schemes.
• CVR methodology, cash‑flow forecasting and P&L management at project/programme level.

What you need experience in

• Senior commercial role (Commercial Director / Head of Commercial / Senior Commercial Manager) for a main or M&E contractor.
• Leading commercial delivery on major projects or programmes (£50m+ total value).
• Negotiating main contracts and high‑value subcontracts, including strategic supplier deals.
• Demonstrable success in managing change, protecting margin and closing out final accounts.
• Confident operator with client‑side commercial/procurement teams and internal boards.
• Track record of building and developing high‑performing commercial teams.

Interested? Send your CV in confidence and we’ll run you through the campus, role structure and progression in detail.