Commercial Lead – Bristol

About the job
Overview
A leading client are seeking an experienced Commercial Lead to oversee all commercial, contractual, and financial aspects of a new 40MW AI-driven data centre development in Bristol. This is a high-profile client-side role supporting the investment group through the full project lifecycle, ensuring cost certainty, commercial governance, and effective management of delivery partners.
The Commercial Lead will act as a key strategic advisor to the investor board, working closely with project management, design consultants, legal teams, and contractors to safeguard commercial interests throughout procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Strategy & Governance
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Lead all commercial activities on behalf of the investor during pre-construction, construction, commissioning, and handover.
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Establish and maintain robust commercial governance frameworks, ensuring transparency and cost control.
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Advise senior stakeholders on commercial risk, opportunity, and strategic decision-making.
Procurement & Contract Management
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Manage procurement strategy for major packages including CSA, MEP, specialist systems, and commissioning services.
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Lead negotiation and administration of main contracts, professional services agreements, and supply chain engagements.
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Review and validate scopes, proposals, change orders, and commercial submissions.
Financial Management & Reporting
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Oversee project budgets, forecasts, cashflow, and financial reporting to the investor board.
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Monitor cost performance, track variations, assess claims, and implement cost mitigation strategies.
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Produce executive-level commercial reports including risk registers, commercial dashboards, and cost-to-complete analysis.
Stakeholder & Investor Engagement
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Act as a key commercial interface between the investor team, external consultants, and delivery partners.
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Support investment decisions through financial modelling, cost benchmarking, and commercial due diligence.
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Ensure alignment between investor expectations and delivery partner performance.
Risk, Change & Compliance
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Identify commercial risks early and implement mitigation strategies.
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Manage change control procedures, ensuring timely assessment and approval.
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Ensure compliance with legal, contractual, and regulatory obligations across all project stages.
Project Oversight & Delivery Support
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Work closely with the project director and technical leads to ensure commercial alignment with programme and technical objectives.
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Monitor contractor performance, progress claims, and contractual obligations.
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Participate in project reviews, design coordination meetings, and commercial workshops.