Commercial Lead

About Dalkia UK

At Dalkia, we're driven by a shared purpose: tackling climate change and building a better, more sustainable future. We bring together talented people who share knowledge, challenge each other and grow together.

Backed by EDF, Britain's biggest generator of low carbon electricity, we're a people-first culture. With 5,000+ employees and £600m+ turnover, we combine the strength of a major group with a great culture, innovative mindset and inclusive values making Dalkia a great place to work and grow your career.

Commercial Lead - MEP

We are looking for an experienced Commercial Lead, M&E to provide commercial and contracts leadership across our project portfolio, working closely with our Commercial Director and Senior Management. This is a senior, high-impact role for a commercially astute leader who can balance strong financial governance with the ability to lead, mentor, and develop a number of Quantity Surveyors.

This role is hybrid out of our regional office in Nottingham.

What you'll be doing

• Acting as key commercial advisor to the Commercial Director on all project commercial and contractual matters
• Leading, managing, and mentoring a team of Senior, Project, and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, plus Commercial Administration staff, setting clear standards and objectives
• Advising Project Management teams on commercial risks and issues arising throughout the project lifecycle
• Negotiating new contracts and contract amendments to form balanced, equitable business relationships without undue risk to the company
• Maximising company entitlement to profitability and revenue while mitigating and minimising expenditure
• Maintaining strong cash flow through robust tracking of applications, certifications, and invoices
• Preparing monthly budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and cost value reconciliation reports detailing P&L against forecast
• Reviewing Invitation to Bid (ITB) documents and conducting commercial viability and risk analysis, including indemnification and liability considerations
• Leading individual tender and project reviews, escalating to Tender Board Committee where value or risk exposure requires it
• Overseeing strategic and operational risk reporting and controls across all projects
• Leading contract negotiations and preparing documentation for legal review
• Ensuring subcontractors and suppliers are procured and pre-qualified in line with company procedure
• Drafting and issuing Letters of Intent and contractual correspondence
• Negotiating performance bonds, parent company guarantees, and insurance terms
• Proactively managing claims from notification through to closure
• Validating and negotiating final account applications and recommendations
• Chairing commercial review meetings with project teams, ensuring costs are fully reconcilable and audit-ready
• Managing resourcing and identifying recruitment needs across the commercial team
• Representing the company at internal and external progress and commercial meetings

What we're looking for

Do you have a strong track record in commercial leadership within the M&E / MEP industries?

You will need;

• Up-to-date commercial awareness and a hands-on approach to high-pressure environments
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and persuasion skills
• Strong analytical and evaluation ability, with sound decision-making and time management
• Proven leadership experience — able to coach, develop, and motivate a team while acting as a role model
• Accurate, highly organised, and detail-focused
• A proactive, positive approach with a genuine commitment to team and company success

Qualifications

• Degree qualified, or qualified through extensive relevant experience
• Proven experience setting up commercial management and reporting systems

Our Values

People First – It starts with health, safety and wellbeing

Better Together – A collaborative team

Trusted Partners – Dedicated to our clients' success

Taking Responsibility – Making a positive difference

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We're committed to an inclusive and fair recruitment process. If you need any adjustments please let us know, in confidence, our team is here to support you.