Senior Commercial Manager

Coffey; Kildare; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Coffey in Ireland is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to lead all commercial and contractual aspects of projects under their control, reporting to the Commercial Director and supporting Sector Directors and Contract Managers.

The role provides strategic oversight for commercial operations, mentors senior staff, and drives improvements in governance and delivery, while actively engaging with clients and senior management.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or equivalent.
• Membership in a relevant professional institution.
• 15+ years in construction with commercial/management focus.
• Proven leadership and team management experience.
• Strong understanding of commercial strategies and business acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience handling high-value contracts and complex negotiations.
• Ability to influence senior-level decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Oversee contracts, subcontracts, and supplier agreements.
• Lead monthly commercial reviews and cost-to-complete forecasts.
• Provide strategic direction for commercial operations.
• Mentor Commercial Managers and senior staff.
• Mitigate commercial risks and manage claims.
• Engage with senior stakeholders and clients.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Communication

Influence decisions

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying / Engineering

Professional Institution Membership

Job description

< p"The Senior Commercial Manager is responsible for ensuring that all commercial and contractual aspects of the projects under their control are effectively managed, administered, and controlled in line with company needs. This role will support projects within the specified sector, providing strategic commercial oversight and leadership.

• Reporting to the Commercial Director, and supporting the Sector Director, and Contract Managers with high level commercial and contractual duties.
• Provide strategic direction and initiatives oversight for commercial operations within the sector, in line with the business ambition
• Lead and mentor Commercial Managers, Commercial Leads, Senior Quantity Surveyors, and other commercial staff building capability and supporting organisational growth.
• Develop coalitions across the organisation and shaping leadership decisions and direction.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy in planning, prioritising and delivering commercial activities.

Contract Management:

• Oversee the preparation, negotiation, and management of contracts, subcontracts, and supplier agreements.
• Ensure detailed examination of contract documents to highlight and address any anomalies.

Financial Oversight:

• Provide oversight of monthly, interim, and final valuations, applications for payment, reconciliations of valuations and costs, and certification of amounts for contract, sub-contractors, specialists, and suppliers.
• Ensure accurate and regular reviews of cash flow and contract positions.
• Prepare and maintain monthly and quarterly cash flow control records.

Risk, Innovation & Decision-Making:

• Anticipate and mitigate commercial risks and emerging challenges.
• Ensure the recovery of all monies owed to the company for work undertaken.
• Ensure all valuations and compensation events are submitted in accordance with contract requirements.
• Support and influence decision-making in high-value and complex commercial scenarios.
• Drive innovative approaches to commercial delivery, improving processes and achieving enhanced outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Represent the company’s interests at meetings relating to projects under their control.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including clients and company executives.
• Provide contractual advice during the tendering process.
• Contribute to shaping strategic direction through effective communication and engagement at senior levels.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

• Lead the monthly commercial review process.
• Report on the monthly review of projects, including cost-to-complete forecasts.
• Ensure records of contractual delays and other issues are kept and addressed.

Continuous Improvement:

• Champion strategic improvement initiatives to enhance commercial performance and governance across projects.
• Provide direction, support, and instruction to direct reports, promoting continual improvement and responsibility.
• Collaborate with other departments to improve service delivery and receive necessary support.

Compliance and Claims Management:

• Ensure adherence to all contract obligations by stakeholders.
• Organise the preparation of contractual claims in liaison with Sector Director and Commercial Director.
• Establish and ensure compliance with cost coding/allocation for each project.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with Coffey HR and HSQE Management Systems and processes.
• Advise senior management of all issues impacting the company's performance, whether commercial, operational, or otherwise.
• Recruit, manage and develop staff in line with Coffey ambition, HR policies and procedures.
• Champion Coffey’s values: Do the Right Thing, Do it Better, Do it Together.

Requirements:

• A relevant degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or a similar field, or equivalent experience demonstrating competency in the role.
• Membership in a relevant Professional Institution.
• Ideally, experience in estimating for civil projects.
• Strong contract law knowledge, and contractual letter writing skills
• Over 15 years’ experience working in the construction industry, with substantial experience in commercial and management roles.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Advanced understanding of commercial strategies and business acumen.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in handling high-value contracts and complex negotiations.
• Ability to influence senior-level decision-making.