Head of Commercial - #2184678

Head of Commercial

Location: UK - Manchester, Leeds or London location

Salary up to 90k + car and bonus

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Commercial to provide strategic commercial leadership across a portfolio of complex Facilities Management (FM) services and project contracts, primarily supporting central government and public-sector clients.

This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for ensuring strong commercial performance across a complex contract portfolio. Working closely with the Business Unit Director, Commercial Director and wider leadership team, you will help secure, deliver and grow profitable contracts while ensuring commercial, contractual and financial risks are effectively managed.

You will lead senior stakeholder relationships across clients, operational leadership and corporate functions, ensuring commercial priorities are aligned and material issues are identified and resolved effectively.

A key part of the role will be developing and leading the commercial function, setting clear standards and embedding a proactive, commercially aware culture across the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic commercial leadership across a portfolio of complex FM and project contracts.
• Lead commercial strategy and support pricing decisions across new and existing opportunities.
• Manage and develop commercial resources deployed across the contract portfolio.
• Build strong relationships with senior client stakeholders and internal leadership teams.
• Lead the commercial management of contract variations, change and associated negotiations.
• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial, contractual and financial risks.
• Evaluate revenue opportunities against cost, risk and contractual exposure.
• Lead negotiations with clients, suppliers and other stakeholders, including appropriate contractual flow-downs.
• Provide commercial leadership on disputes and dispute resolution activity.
• Ensure robust contract review, governance and assurance frameworks are embedded across all contracts.
• Monitor contractual KPIs, payment mechanisms and performance requirements.
• Work closely with Finance and Operations to resolve commercial and financial issues promptly.
• Provide clear commercial reporting and insight to senior and non-commercial stakeholders.
• Support internal governance and approval processes for new business and contract opportunities.
• Promote commercial awareness across operational teams and encourage a proactive approach to contract management.
• Ensure all activity is undertaken in accordance with applicable policies, legislation, contractual obligations and the organisation's Code of Conduct.
• Champion safe, sustainable and compliant working practices.

About You

You will be an experienced senior commercial professional with a strong track record of managing complex service based contracts, ideally within FM, outsourcing or the public sector.

You will have demonstrable experience of:

• Full life cycle commercial and contract management.
• Developing or advising on commercial and pricing strategies.
• Commercial risk assessment and mitigation.
• Contract variations and change management.
• Complex client and supplier negotiations.
• Contractual disputes and resolution.
• Contract governance and assurance.
• Financial and commercial modelling.
• P&L, cash flow and balance sheet awareness.
• Contract pricing and different commercial/pricing models.
• Performance mechanisms, KPIs and payment mechanisms.
• Producing concise commercial reports for senior stakeholders.
• Leading and developing commercial teams.
• Influencing senior stakeholders across multiple functions.

Technical & Contractual Experience

You will have a strong understanding of UK commercial and contract law, with practical experience applying relevant legislation and contractual principles.

Experience of CCS/GCA frameworks, NEC FM contracts and/or other complex bespoke service contracts would be highly advantageous.

You should also have a good understanding of the commercial environment surrounding construction and/or complex facilities management services.

Leadership Style

We are looking for a commercially astute and collaborative leader who can influence at all levels and drive meaningful outcomes.

You will be:

• A confident and credible communicator.
• Comfortable engaging with senior leadership and major clients.
• A data-led and commercially focused decision-maker.
• A strong negotiator and relationship builder.
• Proactive, resilient and self-motivated.
• Able to prioritise effectively and work under pressure.
• A starter-finisher, capable of taking ownership from initial issue through to successful resolution.
• Passionate about developing people and creating a high-performing commercial culture.
• Curious about how data, technology and AI can improve commercial performance and simplify processes.
• Committed to acting with integrity and doing the right thing.

Qualifications & Experience

You will ideally have:

• Significant commercial and contract management experience at a senior level.
• Experience of managing and developing commercial teams.
• A degree or diploma in Law, Business, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, FM, Land or another relevant built-environment discipline.
• Practical knowledge of UK commercial and contract law, including relevant construction legislation.
• Membership of, or progress towards membership of, an appropriate chartered professional institution.

What You'll Be Responsible For

This role offers the opportunity to play a key part in the commercial leadership of a significant and complex contract portfolio.

You will have the autonomy to shape commercial strategy, influence senior stakeholders, develop your team and drive improved commercial performance, while working collaboratively with operational, financial and corporate functions.

If you are an experienced commercial leader who thrives in a complex contractual environment and enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on commercial leadership, we would be keen to hear from you.