Commercial Director

Commercial Director – IES Utilities

About IES

IES Utilities Group Ltd is a leading UK utility provider delivering end-to-end infrastructure solutions. Our teams operate across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating and Renewables, providing survey, design, construction, and maintenance services nationwide. We are committed to innovation, safety, engineering excellence, and sustainable delivery. Headquartered in Manchester, IES continues to grow as a trusted partner in the UKs critical infrastructure sector.

About the Commercial Function

The Commercial Function underpins the financial, contractual, and strategic performance of all IES operational divisions. It is responsible for commercial governance, margin optimisation, strategic bidding, cost control, and contract management across major utility and infrastructure programmes. The function also ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks, delivers commercial insight to the Executive Team, and drives continuous improvement in commercial performance.

Role Profile

Job Title:          Commercial Director
Reports to:        Group Chief Finance Officer (CFO)
Location:          Manchester
Salary:              Competitive Executive Remuneration Package

Purpose of the Role

The Commercial Director will provide strategic and operational leadership of the Commercial Function, overseeing all commercial governance, contract management, margin delivery, and commercial strategy across IES Utilities. Operating within a business scaling up to £500m turnover per annum, this role is pivotal in driving profitability, contractual compliance, and commercial excellence across the group.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide commercial leadership aligned to the company's growth trajectory toward £500m turnover.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies to enhance profitability, governance, and client satisfaction.
• Represent the Commercial Function at Executive and Board level, shaping long-term commercial strategy.

Operational Delivery

• Lead commercial delivery across all divisions to ensure contracts are executed profitably and compliantly.
• Oversee valuations, cost control, change management, forecasting, and reporting of commercial performance.
• Implement commercial best practices to improve utilisation, margin, and delivery effectiveness.
• Business Development & Growth
• Support bid strategy, pricing, and commercial modelling for major frameworks and contracts.
• Ensure commercial deliverability of new business opportunities from bid stage through mobilisation.
• Strengthen client and commercial partner relationships to secure sustainable revenue growth.

Governance & Risk Management

• Establish commercial governance frameworks to ensure compliance with regulatory and contractual standards.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across all divisions.
• Provide commercial reports, insights, and recommendations to the CFO and Executive Team.

People & Leadership

• Lead and develop high-performing commercial teams across the group.
• Foster a culture of accountability, commercial excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and leadership capability building.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with clients, regulators, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen commercial performance.
• Represent IES in commercial negotiations and external forums.
• Work with supply chain partners to secure cost-effective and sustainable commercial outcomes.

Key Skills & Experience

• Extensive senior commercial leadership experience in utilities or major infrastructure programmes.
• Track record of commercial governance, contract management, and margin delivery.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and analytical skills.
• Experience leading commercial teams in a high-growth, multi-disciplinary environment.

Key Measures of Success

• Commercial performance aligned with revenue, margin, and cash objectives.
• Full compliance with regulatory, contractual, and governance requirements.
• Positive feedback from clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Development of a high-performing commercial team supporting long-term business growth.