Head of Commercial (MEP/QS)

Lizone Consulting Limited is recruiting a Head of Commercial (MEP) on behalf of a client operating within the MEP engineering sector.
The Head of Commercial will provide strategic and operational leadership for the company's commercial function, with responsibility for commercial management, contracts, tenders, cost management, procurement and business development activities across MEP projects.
The role is responsible for protecting the commercial interests of the business, improving project profitability, managing commercial and contractual risks, optimizing costs, and supporting sustainable revenue growth.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior management, project teams, clients, consultants, suppliers and subcontractors to ensure that projects and commercial engagements are appropriately priced, contracted, controlled and executed.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial function and provide commercial guidance to management and project teams.
  
• Develop and implement commercial strategies that support revenue growth, profitability and effective cost management.
  
• Monitor the commercial performance of projects and identify opportunities to improve margins and minimize financial exposure.
  
• Provide management with commercial analysis and recommendations to support business decisions.
  
• Lead the preparation, review and commercial evaluation of tenders, contracts and proposals.
  
• Review and negotiate commercial terms and contractual agreements with clients, suppliers and subcontractors.
  
• Identify contractual and commercial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
  
• Ensure contracts and commercial activities comply with company policies, applicable requirements and agreed client terms.
  
• Support the management of contract variations, claims and other commercial matters arising during project execution.
  
• Oversee project costing, budgeting, cost planning and commercial controls for MEP projects.
  
• Review Bills of Quantities (BOQs), cost estimates, valuations and other commercial documentation.
  
• Monitor project costs against approved budgets and identify cost overruns, savings opportunities and commercial risks.
  
• Support accurate valuation of completed works, variations and contractor/subcontractor claims.
  
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify potential commercial and business opportunities.
  
• Support the development of competitive pricing strategies for tenders and proposals.
  
• Build and maintain strong commercial relationships with clients, consultants, suppliers, subcontractors and other industry stakeholders.
  
• Collaborate with management and business development teams in evaluating and pursuing commercially viable opportunities.
  
• Review quotations, commercial proposals and bid submissions before final approval.
  
• Analyze project costs, margins, revenue forecasts and overall financial performance.
  
• Monitor commercial KPIs and provide management with relevant reports and insights.
  
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of commercial documentation, invoicing, valuations and payment tracking.
  
• Support effective cash-flow management by monitoring certifications, receivables and outstanding commercial obligations.
  
• Provide commercial oversight for procurement and supplier engagements.
  
• Negotiate commercial terms with vendors, suppliers and subcontractors to achieve competitive pricing and value for money.
  
• Evaluate supplier and subcontractor quotations from a commercial perspective.
  
• Monitor procurement activities to ensure materials and services are obtained within approved budgets and project timelines.
  
• Support supplier and subcontractor performance management where required.
  
• Provide leadership and direction to members of the commercial function.
  
• Work closely with engineering, design, procurement, finance and project management teams.
  
• Promote strong commercial discipline and accountability across projects.
  
• Maintain effective relationships with clients and other external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
  

Requirements

• B.Sc. in Quantity Surveying or Engineering.
  
• Minimum of 10 years' relevant professional experience, including at least 3 years in a middle or senior management position within an MEP contracting firm.
  
• Demonstrable experience in commercial management, contracts, tendering, cost management and/or quantity surveying within an engineering or MEP environment.
  
• Strong understanding of project costing, commercial analysis and contract administration.
  
• Strong negotiation, analytical, commercial and problem-solving capabilities.
  
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, contract management and financial modelling.
  
• Ability to analyze complex commercial information and translate it into practical business decisions.
  
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and leadership skills.
  

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Requirements

• Previous commercial experience within HVAC, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP/M&E) projects.
  
• Experience managing the commercial aspects of large or complex engineering projects.
  
• Strong knowledge of procurement, subcontractor management, variations, valuations and claims within an MEP contracting environment.