Commercial Finance Director

Reporting To

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

 Location

Ireland / UK (Multi-site Construction & Engineering Operations)

 Role Purpose

The Commercial Finance Director is responsible for leading the commercial and financial performance of the business, ensuring effective governance, profitability, cash flow management, risk mitigation, and commercial control across all projects and contracts.

The role acts as the strategic link between Finance, Commercial, Operations, and Executive Leadership, providing robust financial leadership throughout the project lifecycle from tender stage through execution and final account settlement.

The Commercial Finance Director will drive margin improvement, working capital optimisation, contract compliance, commercial risk management, forecasting accuracy, and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the CFO on strategic decision-making.
• Lead the commercial finance function to support long-term business objectives.
• Develop financial strategies to improve profitability and return on capital employed.
• Ensure commercial considerations are embedded into business planning.

2. Commercial Performance Management

• Oversee commercial performance across all projects and business units.
• Monitor contract profitability, earned value, margin performance, and forecast outcomes.
• Challenge project teams regarding cost overruns, programme risks, and margin erosion.
• Ensure robust monthly project reviews are completed.
• Drive accountability for financial performance across operational teams.
• Lead actions to maximise contract profitability.

3. Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead project budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes.
• Review project forecasts and challenge assumptions.
• Develop predictive financial models.
• Support executive decision making through commercial analysis.

4. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Drive cash generation initiatives.
• Monitor: Debtors; Retentions; Work-in-progress; Applications for payment; Certification processes
• Reduce working capital requirements.
• Support contract negotiations to improve cash flow positions.
• Drive collection strategies for overdue accounts.

5. Tendering & Business Development Support

• Review commercial and financial aspects of major tenders.
• Support bid teams in pricing strategy and risk assessment.
• Approve financial models used in bidding.
• Validate margin expectations before submission.
• Ensure appropriate risk allowances are included.

6. Leadership & Team Development

• Build a high-performing commercial finance team.
• Develop finance capability across project and commercial teams.
• Coach senior stakeholders on financial performance management.
• Promote collaboration between finance and operations.
• Drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Key Accountabilities

Essential Experience

Commercial Construction Experience

• Minimum 10–15 years' experience in construction, engineering, utilities, infrastructure, or related sectors.
• Significant experience managing large-scale project portfolios.
• Strong understanding of project-based accounting and commercial controls.
• Experience in businesses with revenues exceeding €250m+.

Leadership Experience

• Proven leadership of finance and commercial teams.
• Experience operating as a senior leadership team member.
• Board and executive-level reporting experience.
• Track record of influencing operational and commercial stakeholders.

Contractual Knowledge

Strong working knowledge of:

• NEC Contracts
• FIDIC Contracts
• JCT Contracts
• Public Works Contracts (Ireland)
• PPP/PFI arrangements (desirable)

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Quantity Surveying or Business

Technical Skills

Financial

• Financial modelling
• Forecasting
• Budgeting
• Margin analysis
• Cash flow management
• Business partnering

Commercial

• Contract management
• Claims management
• Procurement governance
• Risk management
• Project controls
• Earned Value Management (EVM)

Systems

Experience with:

• IFS Cloud
• Power BI
• Advanced Excel
• Planning tools and analytics platforms

Leadership Competencies

• Ability to align commercial decisions with long-term business objectives.
• Strong understanding of project economics, risk, margin, and value creation.
• Credibility to challenge senior operational leaders and drive performance improvement.
• Makes timely and balanced decisions under pressure.
• Leads organisational and process improvements effectively.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, supply chain partners, investors, and executive leadership.
• They possess a strong track record of improving profitability, cash generation, project governance, and commercial performance within complex construction and engineering businesses, while acting as a trusted advisor to the Executive Team and Board.