Job Description
Protech are currently recruiting for a Commercial Director on behalf of a leading, 5-star award-winning national residential developer, to lead the commercial function for their Exeter business. Covering everything from cost planning and procurement through to subcontractor and supply chain management, the team's purpose is simple: deliver outstanding homes at the right cost, protecting both margin and quality at every stage of development.
Scroll down to find the complete details of the job offer, including experience required and associated duties and tasks.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Commercial Director will own the regional commercial strategy — setting the framework for cost control and procurement across the business unit and ensuring it translates into results against budget and profit targets. The role carries responsibility for tracking commercial risk on live schemes, spotting opportunities to improve value, and overseeing the procurement of subcontractors, materials and supply chain partners. You'll sit on the local board as an active, engaged member, and lead a commercial team through to strong individual and collective performance.
Primary Responsibilities
Commercial Strategy & Procurement
- Set the direction for cost control and procurement across the business unit, aligned to agreed budgets and targets
Partner with fellow Directors on the commercial shaping of the business
Work with design and engineering teams to identify value-improvement opportunities throughout the development lifecycle
Shape and evolve procurement strategy, including the placement of subcontractor and supply chain orders
Track scheme viability continuously as developments progress from concept through to completion
Cost & Contract Control
- Maintain robust systems to monitor the financial position across multiple live projects
Oversee the scheduling and purchasing of materials, and manage development budgets
Identify and act on opportunities to reduce cost without compromising quality
Prepare clear, regular reporting for the Managing Director and Board, flagging risks and variances against budget
Reconcile monthly cost positions ahead of Board presentation
Team Leadership
- Build and maintain a commercial department structure capable of delivering the business unit's strategy
Lead, coach and motivate Surveyors, Buyers and Estimators
Identify development needs within the team and put plans in place to address them
Conduct regular performance reviews and support career progression across the department
Board & Stakeholder Engagement
- Contribute as an active member of the local management team, with visibility across all business functions
Share responsibility for health & safety and customer care standards across the business
Take ownership of business unit targets, including land bank, profitability, return on capital and sales
Represent the commercial function at concept, pre-tender, pre-start, specification and other governance meetings
Build strong working relationships across the team to keep xwwtmva communication open and effective
What You'll Need
- Proven commercial experience within a residential developer, at Commercial Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Director level
At least two years operating at senior management level within a commercial function
Confident managing and motivating a sizeable team
Strong numerical and analytical skills, comfortable interpreting data to support development decisions
Working knowledge of commercial systems (e.g. project management, payment and valuation software)
Experience managing budgets, cost control and competing priorities under pressure
Understanding of how technical and design functions influence on-site profitability
Confident, decisive and resilient, with a lateral, solutions-focused mindset
A natural motivator, comfortable developing people as well as delivering results
Interested, or know someone who'd be a great fit?
Get in touch with Chris Lyons at Protech Search —