Strategic Commercial Leader – Social Housing Planned Works

Wates Group; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Car allowance

Annual bonus scheme

Private healthcare

Enhanced pension contribution

26 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible working arrangements

Career progression and leadership dev

Job summary

Wates Group is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to lead the Planned Works portfolio, supporting social housing investment programmes.

Reporting to the Regional Commercial Director, you will oversee multiple contracts, manage commercial teams, and ensure profitable, compliant delivery across refurbishment, retrofit and decarbonisation projects.

The role requires strong knowledge of JCT/NEC, robust governance, and leadership of Quantity Surveyors and support staff.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Commercial Manager in Social Housing Planned Works.
• Experience managing multiple contracts simultaneously.
• Leadership experience with direct reports and team management responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of JCT and NEC forms of contract.
• Excellent commercial, financial and contractual management skills.
• Experience producing CVRs, forecasts and financial reports.
• Strong stakeholder management and client-facing experience.
• Full UK Driving Licence

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of multiple social housing planned works contracts.
• Provide strategic oversight of contract profitability, forecasting, cash flow and cost control.
• Manage and develop a team of Quantity Surveyors, Senior Quantity Surveyors and Assistant Surveyors.
• Ensure robust contract administration, risk management and commercial governance.
• Oversee subcontractor procurement, valuations, payments and final accounts.
• Drive value engineering initiatives and identify commercial opportunities across contracts.
• Work closely with Operational Managers, Project Managers and Clients to achieve programme objectives.
• Support contract mobilisation, delivery and close-out activities.
• Produce accurate financial reporting, CVRs and forecasts.
• Mentor and develop direct reports, creating high-performing commercial teams.
• Ensure contractual entitlements are protected and realised through effective contract management.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Team management

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Financial reporting

Forecasting

Client-facing

Risk management

Driving Licence

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying/Commercial Management

MRICS or equivalent

Tools

JCT/NEC contracts

Job description

Wates Group is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to lead the Planned Works portfolio, supporting social housing investment programmes.

Reporting to the Regional Commercial Director, you will oversee multiple contracts, manage commercial teams, and ensure profitable, compliant delivery across refurbishment, retrofit and decarbonisation projects.

The role requires strong knowledge of JCT/NEC, robust governance, and leadership of Quantity Surveyors and support staff.