Bachelor's degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related field
Extensive experience in commercial management, cost management, or quantity surveying within construction
Proven track record leading commercial functions on medium to large-scale programmes
Strong understanding of procurement routes and value management
Excellent communication skills for client engagement
Experience with estimating tools and cost management software
Collaborative leadership style with ability to influence senior stakeholders
Responsibilities
Lead commercial strategy and governance across major programmes
Manage procurement processes including vendor prequalification and contract awards
Oversee comprehensive project estimating including construction and associated costs
Present value engineering options and risk assessments to clients
Challenge and validate vendor pricing using market intelligence
Manage cost reporting frameworks including forecasting and budget tracking
Lead final accounting, post-contract audits, and ensure compliance across all projects
Benefits
Permanent, full-time position with hybrid work arrangements
Opportunity to influence strategy in a rapidly scaling region
Exposure to high-impact programmes for global clients
Ability to lead and develop teams in complex environments
Contribution to training materials and capability development
Full Job Description
Commercial Director
Director level
Atlanta, Georgia or surrounding states
Permeant, full time with hybrid working
Gleeds US is entering a significant growth phase, driven by major investment across data centres, advanced manufacturing, mission critical facilities, and large-scale commercial programmes. To support this expansion, we are seeking an experienced and ambitious Commercial Director to join our team in the United States, ideally based in Atlanta (or within 1-2 hours' travel).
This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a rapidly scaling region, influencing strategy, shaping delivery models, and strengthening our commercial capability across high-impact programmes for global clients.
You will play a pivotal role in driving commercial excellence, building client relationships, and leading teams across complex, fast-moving projects.
Key Responsibilities
As Commercial Director, you will provide strategic leadership across all commercial and cost management activities, including:
Leading commercial strategy, governance, and performance across major programmes.
Managing procurement processes, including vendor prequalification, bid assessments, bid levelling, recommendations, and contract award.
Overseeing full-project estimating, including construction, fees, direct works, and associated costs.
Presenting estimates, value engineering options, and risk assessments to clients.
Challenging and validating vendor pricing using benchmarking and market intelligence.
Leading cost reporting frameworks, including forecasting, budget tracking, commercial risk registers, and executive-level reporting.
Managing payment applications, change orders, contractual entitlements, and dispute avoidance/resolution.
Overseeing invoicing processes and ensuring commercial compliance across all projects.
Leading final accounting, post-contract audits, and close-out activities.
Embedding lessons learned and contributing to training materials and capability development.
Using and overseeing the preparation of bid analysis sheets, change control documentation, estimating tools, and take-off software.
We are looking for a senior commercial leader who brings:
A bachelor's degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering, or a related field.
Substantial experience and knowledge in commercial management, cost management, or quantity surveying within the construction industry.
Proven experience leading commercial functions on medium to large-scale programmes.
Strong understanding of procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
Excellent communication skills and confidence in client-facing environments.
Experience with estimating tools and cost management software.
A collaborative leadership style and the ability to influence at senior levels.
About us
Gleeds is a global property and construction consultancy with over 150 years of expertise, operating in 28 countries worldwide. From iconic landmarks to critical infrastructure, we drive innovation, sustainability and value, delivering transformative projects that shape communities and redefine the built environment.
