Commercial Manager

Company Overview

Our client is one of Ireland's most distinctive and forward-thinking construction businesses — a specialist main contractor that has built its reputation on the design, manufacture and delivery of high-quality, volumetric modular buildings across a broad range of sectors. Operating with the commercial backing and technical influence of a Tier 1 organisation, the business combines the agility of a specialist with the resources and credibility of a major contractor.

With a turnover exceeding €60 million and a consistently growing project pipeline, the business has established itself as a genuine leader in the Irish MMC market. Their expertise centres on 3D volumetric construction and light gauge steel frame systems — methods that are increasingly in demand from clients seeking faster programmes, better quality control and improved sustainability outcomes. This is a contractor that is not simply adopting modern construction methods; it is at the forefront of defining how they are applied in the Irish market.

The project portfolio spans education, healthcare, life sciences, residential, industrial and mission-critical sectors — a breadth that speaks to the versatility of the MMC approach and the trust that diverse client types place in the business. Repeat client relationships are common, built on a track record of delivering to programme, budget and the exacting quality standards that off-site construction demands.

This is a business that is actively investing in its people and its processes as it scales, and the Commercial Manager appointment reflects that ambition. The successful candidate will join a senior team that is commercially sharp, technically engaged and genuinely collaborative — a working environment that rewards capability and initiative with real influence and career progression.

Working Environment & Projects

The commercial function at this business operates across the full project lifecycle — from early-stage cost planning and procurement through to subcontract management, valuations and final account. Given the nature of MMC delivery, the commercial role here carries some distinctive characteristics: programme certainty and off-site production schedules are closely tied to commercial milestones, and an understanding of how modular and panelised systems affect procurement strategy, risk allocation and contract administration is a genuine advantage.

You will work across a live portfolio of projects spanning multiple sectors, with schemes ranging in scale from standalone educational or healthcare buildings through to more complex, multi-phase life sciences and mission-critical developments. The variety of work is a genuine selling point — no two projects are the same in terms of client type, programme demands or commercial complexity, and the exposure you gain across the portfolio is broad and genuinely career-enhancing.

The working environment is structured but not rigid. The business operates a genuine hybrid model — a 2 office / 2 work from home / 1 site split each week — which provides the flexibility that experienced commercial professionals increasingly expect, without compromising on team cohesion or project oversight. The Galway office is well-resourced and sits within a strong regional construction market, with the added benefit of proximity to a number of high-profile ongoing programmes.

You will work alongside an experienced commercial and operations team and report to senior leadership within the business. There is a collaborative culture here — decisions are made sensibly and people are trusted to get on with the job. For a commercially experienced professional looking to make a real contribution in a specialist, growth-focused business, this is a compelling environment to step into.

Responsibilities

• Take a lead commercial role across a portfolio of active projects — overseeing cost management, subcontract administration, valuations and commercial reporting from contract award through to final account
• Manage subcontract procurement and letting, ensuring competitive pricing, appropriate risk allocation and robust contractual terms across the supply chain
• Prepare and submit interim applications for payment, manage client-side valuations and maintain accurate commercial records throughout each project
• Identify, value and submit variations in a timely manner, maintaining clear records and pursuing agreement with clients and subcontractors proactively
• Produce accurate cost-to-complete forecasts and monthly commercial reports, providing senior leadership with clear visibility of project performance and risk
• Contribute to tender and pre-construction activity as required, supporting cost planning, procurement strategy and risk identification at early project stages
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with clients, consultants and key subcontractors, acting as a credible and dependable commercial point of contact
• Support the development of commercial processes and best practice within the team, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement as the business scales

What You Need

• 10+ years of post-graduate experience in quantity surveying or commercial management within a main contractor environment — significant exposure to the Irish construction market is essential
• A strong grounding in subcontract procurement, contract administration and cost reporting across live construction programmes — experience across multiple sectors is advantageous
• Familiarity with or genuine interest in modern methods of construction — MMC, volumetric modular, light gauge steel or off-site manufacture; prior direct experience is beneficial but not a prerequisite
• Commercially astute with excellent attention to detail; confident managing multiple projects simultaneously and maintaining rigour across cost, contract and client-facing deliverables
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships with clients, design teams and subcontractors across a varied project portfolio
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management; membership of SCSI/RICS or working towards same is preferred
• Full driving licence and ability to travel to project sites as required within the hybrid working framework

What You'll Get in Return

The role offers a base salary of up to €110,000 depending on experience, complemented by a car allowance, performance-related bonus, private health insurance and pension contribution. Equally important is the working model: a structured 2/2/1 hybrid split (office, home, site) provides genuine flexibility without compromising on involvement or influence. You will join a specialist business at a genuinely exciting stage of its development — with real scope to shape the commercial function, build a profile within the MMC sector, and progress into a more senior leadership role as the business continues to grow.