Head of Commercial

Head of Commercial (Electricity Transmission Sector)

Location: South West England (Hybrid), 2 days in the office near Newport, Wales.

Turner Lovell is recruiting an experienced Head of Commercial to join a leading EPC Contractor with a turnover exceeding £1 billion in the electricity and renewable energy sector. Following the award of multi‑year framework agreements, the company is expanding its team to deliver turnkey HV substation projects across the UK, ranging from £20 million to £150 million.

As Head of Commercial, you’ll be a key member of the Senior Management Team, leading strategic client relationships, championing commercial excellence, and ensuring governance through robust controls, accurate reporting, and clear communication of commercial risks and opportunities across multiple substation infrastructure projects (132‑400 kV).

Key Duties

Strategic Leadership & Commercial Planning

• Partner with the Business Unit Director to shape the annual strategy and business objectives
• Lead initiatives for securing new work, allocating resources, and aligning with pre‑contract commercial teams
• Design and execute commercial approaches focused on tendering, cash flow optimisation, and margin enhancement
• Drive delivery of annual targets and performance goals across Contracts
• Assess contract terms and commercial exposures prior to tender submission
• Negotiate contractual agreements in line with Group Governance before finalisation
• Maintain effective contract management through consistent oversight of change controls and payment processes
• Work closely with Legal and Contract teams to mitigate and resolve disputes
• Identify potential insurance recoveries and coordinate with the Insurance team
• Ensure alignment with year‑end audit protocols

Financial Oversight & Performance Monitoring

• Direct monthly cost‑to‑value reviews and forecasting, providing challenge and support to Contract teams
• Optimise project cash flow and actively manage work‑in‑progress across the portfolio
• Participate in monthly project performance reviews and initiate corrective actions as needed
• Contribute to performance reporting for current and future contracts
• Ensure the commercial team within Contracts operates in alignment with group governance and procedures
• Define team structure, roles, responsibilities, and required skillsets to deliver commercial services effectively
• Foster a high‑performance culture by setting clear objectives, supporting personal development plans, and regularly reviewing progress for all direct reports
• Organise structured training and development pathways for Commercial Practitioners, including acting as mentor, supervisor, or counsellor for those pursuing APC or equivalent qualifications
• Encourage a strong culture of commercial and contractual awareness throughout the Contracts function

Requirements

• A degree in Quantity Surveying or a related business discipline is preferred
• Strong commercial insight and extensive, demonstrable experience in a comparable role within the Electricity Transmission sector
• Evident expertise in Standard Forms of Contract, applicable Contract Law, and recognised Methods of Measurement
• Good knowledge of project scheduling techniques and proficiency in project control methodologies
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to negotiate effectively to achieve desired outcomes
• Proven leadership experience with a genuine commitment to building and developing a high‑performing team
• Full, clean UK driving licence – travel to various sites and regional offices is part of the role

This is an exciting new opportunity to join one of the leading organisations in the electricity transmission sector and work on projects of significant importance to the energy transmission targets.

If this opportunity sounds right, please reach out to Yana Arif (Yana.arif@turnerlovell.com) directly to apply or request more information about this role.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Finance and Project Management, Construction, Services for Renewable Energy, and Engineering Services

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