Commercial Manager

Dowds is a long established, multidisciplinary engineering and construction Building Services Engineering company headquartered in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1978, our expertise spans the full lifecycle of complex-built environments from initial design and systems integration through to installation, commissioning, and handover. Across specific sectors: life science, commercial, education and healthcare.

Operating at a gold standard for best managed company and investors in people, our vision is to set the standard for excellence, driving progress, responsibility, and lasting impact. While keeping our clients and our people at the heart of what we do.

We are seeking

Dowds are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to provide strong commercial leadership across a portfolio of MEP projects, or a major scheme.

This is a senior role responsible for driving commercial performance, protecting margin, and strengthening governance across all stages of project delivery from preconstruction through to final account. You will work closely with operational and project teams to ensure commercially sound decisions, robust forecasting, and disciplined contract management.

What you'll be responsible for

Take full commercial ownership of projects or contract portfolios from award through to closeout

Lead cost control, budgeting, forecasting, and CVR reporting to ensure strong financial performance

Manage applications for payment, valuations, final accounts, and cash flow across projects

Control and manage variations, change events, and contract administration processes

Monitor margins, identify risks and opportunities, and drive mitigation strategies

Provide commercial challenge, support, and guidance to Project Managers and operational teams

Ensure compliance with contractual terms (NEC/JCT), governance processes, and company standards

Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and supply chain partners

Lead and contribute to tendering, bid support, and preconstruction commercial inputs

Produce commercial reporting, dashboards, and KPI analysis to inform decision-making

Support continuous improvement of commercial processes and governance frameworks

What we are looking for

Essential

Proven experience as a Commercial Manager, Project Lead with MEP or building services experience

Strong track record of managing cost control, forecasting, and commercial performance across projects

Experience administering contracts (NEC, JCT or similar) and managing change/variations

Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence project outcomes.

Experience supporting operational teams with budgets, forecasts, and cost management

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

High attention to detail with strong analytical capability

Exposure to both preconstruction and delivery phases

Desirable

Degree or qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related discipline

Professional membership (RICS or working towards)

Experience across complex or multi-project environments (e.g. life sciences, healthcare, commercial)

Experience leading or mentoring commercial teams

Why Join Dowds

41 Days Holiday

Early Finish Fridays

Employee Private Medical cover

Life Assurance

Discretionary Bonus

Wellbeing Initiatives

Pension

Work from home

Plus, many more

Dowds is an Equal Opportunities Employer