Chief Commercial Officer

Description

• Approve major procurement packages and high-value subcontractor appointments.
• Engage with high-end suppliers and subcontractors to ensure cost efficiency and quality delivery.
• Ensure accurate cost reporting, forecasting, earned value analysis, and margin protection.
• Support business development activities by providing commercial insight and client-facing expertise.
• Ensure compliance with contract forms including JCT, NEC, bespoke fit-out contracts, and client-specific frameworks.
• Oversee commercial aspects of high-end fit-out and refurbishment projects from preconstruction to completion.

The Chief Commercial Officer will be responsible for overseeing all commercial functions of the business, ensuring profitability, contractual compliance, strong risk management, and effective commercial governance across all projects. This role is a key member of the Executive Team and reports directly to the Managing Director.

• Develop long-term commercial plans, forecasting, and business performance models.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the commercial team—including Quantity Surveyors, Buyers, and Commercial Managers.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and contractual risks across all projects.
• Provide high-level commercial advice to the Managing Director and Board.
• Lead the commercial strategy for the business, ensuring alignment with Guildprime’s growth objectives and market positioning.
• Ensure robust contract administration from pre-contract through final account.
• Ensure timely preparation and agreement of interim valuations, applications for payment, final accounts, and project close-out.
• Drive commercial best practice, standardisation, and continuous improvement across all projects.
• Oversee commercial performance of all projects, including variations, claims, delay analysis, and change control.
• Oversee negotiation, review, and execution of construction contracts, subcontracts, and consultant agreements.
• Build strong client relationships to ensure repeat business and mutual trust.
• Lead financial review of all secured tenders, cost plans, and project budgets.
• Ensure the team has clear KPIs, progression paths, and training plans.
• Attend key project meetings, design reviews, commercial risk reviews, and Board-level performance updates.

Requirements

• Proactive, solutions-driven, and resilient under pressure.
• High integrity and commitment to maintaining Guildprime’s reputation for excellence.
• Excellent negotiation skills and extensive knowledge of UK construction law and contract frameworks.
• Strong background in contract administration (JCT essential; NEC desirable).
• Proven track record of delivering profitable commercial outcomes on complex, fast-track projects.
• Strong financial acumen and advanced understanding of cost control, forecasting, and commercial reporting.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or similar.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and contractually astute Chief Commercial Officer with extensive background in high-end fit-out and construction contracts.

• Confident decision-maker with a strong sense of accountability.
• Professional, articulate, and commercially aware.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop commercial teams.
• Senior leadership role with real influence over company direction.
• Experience in dispute resolution solutions.
• Experience in luxury retail, residential, hospitality, and commercial environments.
• Membership of RICS (advantageous but not essential).
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, consultants and agents.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence at Board level.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Minimum 15+ years’ commercial experience within high-end fit-out and construction contracting.

Benefits

• Pension and additional benefits package.
• Competitive salary and performance-related bonus.
• Opportunity to shape the commercial future of a growing, reputable, high-end fit-out specialist.
• Collaborative, supportive leadership environment working closely with the Executive Team and reports directly to the Managing Director.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance