Commercial Director

Commercial Director - Rail and Civil Engineering 

About the Company

Our client is a well-established and growing rail and civil engineering contractor with a strong presence across the Northeast and surrounding regions. Delivering a mixture of rail, civil engineering and renewables projects, the business has built an excellent reputation for quality and sustainable growth.

With an exciting pipeline of current and future works, the company is seeking an experienced Commercial Director to lead its commercial function and play a key role in shaping the future success of the business.

The Role

As Commercial Director, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the commercial department, overseeing a team of commercial professionals. You will be responsible for driving commercial performance, maximizing profitability, managing risk, and ensuring the successful delivery of rail and civil engineering projects from design through project completion and handover.

Working closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in business planning, development appraisals, procurement strategy, cost control, and supporting the sales function to achieve business objectives.

As Commercial Director, you will be responsible for:

• Leading and developing the commercial team, providing mentorship, support, and strategic direction
• Overseeing all commercial activities across multiple projects.
• Ensuring robust cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes are in place
• Driving profitability through effective procurement, value engineering, and cost management strategies
• Working closely with planning, technical and construction teams to maximize project performance
• Reviewing and approving subcontractor procurement strategies and major contract awards
• Managing commercial risk and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations
• Providing regular commercial reports and performance updates to the board and senior management team
• Supporting strategic business growth initiatives and identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency
• Maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, consultants, subcontractors, and external partners

The Ideal Candidate

The successful Commercial Director will have:

• Proven experience operating at Commercial Director, Commercial Manager, or Senior Commercial Manager level within a rail or civil engineering contractor.
• Strong understanding of construction costs, and commercial delivery.
• Previous experience managing and developing commercial teams
• Experience working closely with project delivery teams to ensure the cost-effective delivery of multi-disciplinary rail and civil engineering projects.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance profitability, quality, and programme delivery
• Excellent knowledge of procurement, contract administration, cost planning, and risk management
• Experience within NEC and JCT forms of contract.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, hands-on approach suited to a growing SME environment
• Relevant construction, commercial, or surveying qualifications

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary of £100,000 to £120,000 per annum
• Attractive executive package including car allowance, bonus, pension, and healthcare
• Opportunity to join a successful and growing rail and civil engineering contractor with a healthy and diverse work bank
• A genuine leadership role with influence over business strategy and commercial direction
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of rail and civil engineering projects
• Long-term career stability and the opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing organisation
• Supportive and collaborative senior leadership team with ambitious growth plans

This represents an excellent opportunity for an experienced commercial professional seeking a leadership position within a dynamic rail and civil engineering business, where they can influence both the commercial and strategic success of the organization.

About Global:

Established in 2001, Global has become a market leader and trusted recruitment partner in its chosen sectors. Delivering a tailored recruitment service to candidates and clients alike, Global works in a diverse range of industry sectors, supplying recruitment services and staffing solutions across Construction, Logistics, Rail, Industrial, and Engineering. Recruitment business acting on behalf clients nationwide.