Commercial Lead

Commercial Lead

Location:
Travelling across the South

Role Purpose

The Commercial Lead will act as the central link between Construction, Finance, and external stakeholders — including funders, monitors, valuers, and clients — to ensure the effective financial and commercial management of development projects from initial funding submission through to practical completion.

This role combines strategic oversight with hands-on commercial management, supporting robust financial control, procurement efficiency, and strong stakeholder engagement to drive profitability and operational success across multiple live developments.

Key Responsibilities

Funding & Lender Liaison

• Act as the principal contact for funders, monitors, and valuers throughout each development's lifecycle.
• Coordinate the submission of funding information, valuation drawdown schedules, and supporting documentation for funded or forward-sold schemes.
• Set and manage drawdown and invoicing schedules in collaboration with the Finance function.
• Ensure all insurance and compliance documentation is arranged promptly, and that any outstanding items are resolved efficiently.
• Prepare accurate lender progress reports and certification of phase completions, managing the drawdown of development finance in line with project cashflow requirements.

Commercial & Financial Control

• Take ownership of commercial and cost management across live projects, ensuring accuracy and accountability.
• Provide timely and transparent reporting to support cashflow forecasting, financial planning, and risk management.
• Identify and highlight commercial risks and opportunities, recommending proactive solutions to the Managing Director.

Procurement & Supply Chain

• Support procurement strategies that deliver best value, compliance, and timely delivery across the supply chain.
• Identify and invite alternative suppliers and subcontractors to tender, ensuring commercial competitiveness.
• Negotiate and authorise contracts, maintaining robust administration and governance throughout the project lifecycle.

Construction Collaboration

• Work closely with Construction teams to align cost plans, procurement schedules, and build programmes.
• Support the resolution of commercial challenges, including variations, claims, and valuation disputes.
• Provide commercial input into cost optimisation, value engineering, and programme efficiencies.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with clients and their monitors to agree valuations and provide all required supporting documentation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure consistent communication, transparency, and trust.

Strategic Contribution

• Advise the Managing Director and senior leadership on commercial performance, financial risk, and funding strategy.
• Contribute to initiatives that drive margin improvement, cashflow optimisation, and commercial efficiency.
• Ensure all commercial systems, processes, and reporting frameworks are robust, compliant, and support organisational growth.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Skills

• Proven commercial management or leadership experience within construction or property development.
• Strong background in cost control, procurement, valuation reporting, and development finance.
• Experience managing relationships with funders, monitors, valuers, and clients.
• Excellent financial acumen with the ability to interpret complex data and communicate insights clearly.
• Skilled negotiator with a collaborative and proactive approach to stakeholder management.
• Highly organised, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple concurrent projects.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute and strategically minded.
• Confident, credible, and influential communicator.
• Detail-oriented, resilient, and solutions-focused under pressure.
• Collaborative leader who fosters accountability and teamwork across departments.