Senior Commercial Lead – Projects & Contracts

Dalkia Energy Services Ltd; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Dalkia UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Lead to provide leadership across our project portfolio, reporting to the Commercial Director. You will mentor a team of Quantity Surveyors and steer commercial strategy to maximise value and minimise risk.

In this senior role you will review ITB documents, manage budgets and cash flow, negotiate contracts, and build strong relationships with clients and suppliers while maintaining rigorous financial governance.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial awareness and hands-on approach in high-pressure environments.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and persuasion skills.
• Strong analytical and evaluation ability with sound decision-making and time management.
• Proven leadership experience—a coach, developer, and motivator of a team.
• Accurate, highly organised and detail-focused.
• Proactive, positive approach with commitment to team and company success.

Responsibilities

• Act as commercial advisor to the Commercial Director on all project commercial and contractual matters.
• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of Senior, Project, and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, plus Commercial Administration staff.
• Advise Project Management teams on commercial risks and issues arising throughout the project lifecycle.
• Negotiate new contracts and contract amendments to form balanced, equitable relationships without undue risk.
• Maximise company profitability and revenue while mitigating and minimising expenditure.
• Maintain strong cash flow through robust tracking of applications, certifications, and invoices.
• Prepare monthly budgets, forecasts, cash flow and cost value reconciliation reports detailing P&L against forecast.
• Review ITB documents and conduct commercial viability and risk analysis including indemnification and liability considerations.
• Lead 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.
• Lead contract negotiations and prepare documentation for legal review.
• Ensure subcontractors and suppliers are procured and pre-qualified in line with company procedure.
• Draft and issue Letters of Intent and contractual correspondence.
• Negotiate performance bonds, parent company guarantees, and insurance terms.
• Proactively manage claims from notification through to closure.
• Validate and negotiate final account applications and recommendations.
• Chair commercial review meetings with project teams, ensuring costs are fully reconciliable and audit-ready.
• Managing resourcing and identifying recruitment needs across the commercial team.
• Represent the company at internal and external progress and commercial meetings.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Degree qualified

Job description

Dalkia UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Lead to provide leadership across our project portfolio, reporting to the Commercial Director. You will mentor a team of Quantity Surveyors and steer commercial strategy to maximise value and minimise risk.

In this senior role you will review ITB documents, manage budgets and cash flow, negotiate contracts, and build strong relationships with clients and suppliers while maintaining rigorous financial governance.