Galliford Try
UK-based construction group delivering building, infrastructure and specialist services across public and private sectors.
Commercial Director
Board-level leader driving commercial strategy, pre‑construction and profit for façade remediation.
Job Highlights
About the Role
The Commercial Director will sit on the board and help shape the strategic direction, ensuring operational excellence and sustainable, profitable growth. Working closely with the Operations Director, the role has dual responsibility for commercial governance and pre‑construction/business development, maintaining high standards of compliance, risk management and client service throughout the project lifecycle. In this role you will lead the commercial team from tender stage to final account, overseeing contractual negotiations, risk management and the application of NEC, JCT and bespoke contracts. You will also be responsible for commercial reporting, supply‑chain procurement strategy and ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act and golden‑thread requirements. You will partner with the Operations Director to provide unified leadership, support project initiation, manage change, early warnings and cost control, and act as the escalation point for commercial issues. Ownership of the business‑unit P&L, monthly reporting, margin improvement initiatives and strategic resource planning will also fall under your remit. • Contribute to board-level strategy, performance management and long‑term growth. • Provide commercial insight for market positioning, pricing, bid selectivity and investment decisions. • Ensure compliance with Galliford Try governance, financial controls and reporting. • Drive continuous improvement in commercial processes, contract management and forecasting. • Lead the commercial team from tender stage through to final account and oversee negotiations. • Apply NEC, JCT and bespoke contract mechanisms consistently across projects. • Manage commercial reporting: WIP, CVRs, margins, revenue forecasts and cash flow. • Own supply‑chain procurement strategy, contractual frameworks and commercial performance. • Support Operations Director on project changes, early warnings, compensation events and cost control. • Ensure compliance with the Building Safety Act and golden‑thread requirements. • Lead pre‑construction and estimating functions to deliver competitive, high‑quality bids. • Collaborate with in‑house design to ensure technical compliance, buildability and cost accuracy. • Build and maintain relationships with key clients, consultants, developers and main contractors. • Direct bid/no‑bid strategy, pipeline development and forward planning to meet turnover and margin targets. • Provide unified leadership with Operations Director, acting as escalation point for commercial issues. • Champion best practice in façade remediation aligning design, commercial targets and site delivery. • Own business unit P&L, ensure accurate monthly reporting and risk mitigation. • Drive performance improvement initiatives to protect and enhance margins. • Lead, develop and mentor commercial, estimating and pre‑construction teams. • Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- ▸contract management
- ▸commercial forecasting
- ▸supply‑chain procurement
- ▸bid strategy
- ▸p&l management
- ▸building safety
What You Bring
The successful candidate will have proven senior commercial leadership experience in Tier 1 or specialist contractor environments, with a strong background in façade remediation, cladding or building‑envelope subcontracting. Extensive knowledge of NEC, JCT and modern contract forms, as well as experience managing £1 m–£10 m projects, pre‑construction, estimating and work‑winning, is essential. Desirable qualifications include RICS or CIOB membership, digital construction expertise and familiarity with the Building Safety Act. • Demonstrate senior commercial leadership in Tier 1 or specialist contractor environments. • Expertise in façade remediation, cladding or building‑envelope subcontracting. • Strong knowledge of NEC, JCT and modern contract forms. • Experience managing projects £1 m–£10 m, pre‑construction, estimating and work‑winning. • Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills. • Optional: professional membership (RICS, CIOB) and experience with digital construction tools.
Requirements
- ▸senior leadership
- ▸façade remediation
- ▸nec jct
- ▸project management
- ▸stakeholder management
- ▸rics
Benefits
Galliford Try offers a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement that increases with service, and the option to purchase additional leave. The benefits package includes private medical options, a comprehensive pension, family leave, share‑purchase scheme, corporate discounts, Cycle‑to‑Work, and paid membership of a professional association. Flexible ‘Agile Working’, the ‘Be Well’ wellbeing programme and extensive training and development opportunities support employee growth and wellbeing. The company welcomes applications for full‑time, reduced‑hours or flexible working and encourages candidates to disclose any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process. Galliford Try is committed to diversity and inclusion, inviting applicants who may not meet every criterion to apply, and as a Disability Confident employer will interview any candidate with a long‑term health condition or disability who meets the essential criteria. • Competitive salary with generous holiday entitlement and the option to purchase additional leave. • Private medical scheme, comprehensive pension, family leave and share‑purchase scheme. • Corporate discounts, Cycle‑to‑Work scheme and paid professional association membership. • Flexible ‘Agile Working’ programme and wellbeing ‘Be Well’ support. • Extensive training, leadership development and apprenticeship programmes.
Work Environment
Hybrid