OCU
Head of Commercial (South)
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Application Deadline: 21 September 2026
Department: Commercial & Estimating
Location: East London
Description
OCU are looking for an exceptional Head of Commercial to lead the commercial function across a portfolio of some of the UK's most significant renewable energy and non-regulated infrastructure projects. You will lead commercial strategy behind the UK's energy transition.
This is a rare opportunity for an accomplished reputable commercial leader based in the South to shape strategy, influence executive decision-making, and lead a high-performing commercial team delivering complex projects across Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Data Centres, Independent Connection Provider (ICP) projects, Offshore Wind and wider energy infrastructure.
As the senior commercial authority within the business, you'll combine strategic leadership with hands-on commercial expertise, ensuring our projects are commercially robust, contractually secure, and consistently deliver outstanding value for both our clients and our business.
If you thrive on negotiating major contracts, developing exceptional commercial teams, and driving commercial excellence across a growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Executive Leadership Team, you'll take ownership of the commercial strategy across multiple major projects from bid through to final account.
- Leading a team of Commercial Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Administrators, you'll establish best practice, strengthen commercial governance, manage contractual risk, and ensure commercial success across a diverse portfolio of high-value energy infrastructure projects.
- You'll work closely with operational, legal and executive teams, acting as the organisation's trusted commercial advisor while developing long-term relationships with clients, suppliers and key stakeholders.
As Head Of Commercial, You Will
- Lead the commercial strategy across a portfolio of major large renewable energy and infrastructure projects from tender through to completion and final account, £25 million–£100 million.
- Inspire, mentor and develop a high-performing commercial team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Drive commercial awareness throughout the business through coaching, mentoring and contractual guidance.
- Lead the negotiation of high-value EPC, Balance of Plant (BoP), Design & Build, Framework and bespoke client agreements.
- Develop commercial strategies that maximise profitability while appropriately allocating commercial risk.
- Establish robust commercial governance, including contract reviews, delegated authority processes, commercial assurance and project risk management.
- Provide strategic leadership on contractual entitlement, Compensation Events, Variations, Claims and Change Management.
- Act as the senior commercial escalation point for complex contractual and commercial matters across the business.
- Develop proactive dispute avoidance strategies and lead formal dispute resolution where required.
- Work alongside legal advisers during negotiation, adjudication, mediation and litigation where necessary.
- Monitor commercial performance across the portfolio, analysing revenue, profitability, margins, forecasts and commercial risk.
- Present commercial performance, forecasts and strategic recommendations to Executive and Board-level stakeholders.
- Build trusted relationships with clients, supply chain partners and key stakeholders to support long-term business growth.
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Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
We are looking for a commercially driven leader with extensive experience delivering major infrastructure and energy projects.
You'll Be Able To Demonstrate
- Proven experience negotiating contracts valued in excess of £25 million–£100 million.
- Extensive experience leading commercial teams of 10–30+ commercial professionals, including Commercial Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Commercial Administrators.
- Strong sector knowledge across renewable generation, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), solar, Independent Connection Provider (ICP) projects, HV substations, private networks, data centre connections and wider non-regulated energy infrastructure.
- Significant experience negotiating and administering FIDIC, NEC, and bespoke EPC contracts.
- A proven track record of resolving complex commercial disputes through negotiation, mediation and contractual mechanisms, avoiding litigation wherever possible.
- The confidence, credibility and commercial judgement to act as the business's senior authority on contractual and commercial matters.
- Extensive experience leading commercial functions across multiple concurrent major infrastructure projects valued between £20m and £250m+.
- Expert knowledge of Compensation Events, Early Warnings, Variations, Claims and Final Accounts.
- Exceptional commercial negotiation skills with experience securing commercially advantageous outcomes on complex projects.
- Strong understanding of procurement strategies, commercial governance and contract risk allocation.
- Experience presenting commercial performance, contractual risk and P&L reporting to Executive and Board-level audiences.
- A passion for developing people through coaching, mentoring and leadership.
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You'll ideally have:
- A degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Business or a related discipline.
- An MBA or postgraduate qualification (desirable).
- Membership of a relevant professional institution (RICS, CIOB or equivalent) would be advantageous.
Job Benefits
At OCU, we believe that meaningful work should come with meaningful support. That's the principle behind Careers with Purpose, our commitment to ensuring every person at OCU feels supported, developed, and valued, not just in their role today, but throughout their career with us.
Alongside the opportunity to work on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects, we offer a benefits package that we are continuing to develop as we grow, and the kind of career acceleration that only comes from being inside a business moving at this pace.
As a rapidly growing organisation, there are genuine opportunities to progress, broaden your experience, and build a long-term career within OCU Group.
For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact Hayley Hufton at hayley.hufton@ocugroup.com
Our vacancies are typically advertised for two weeks; however, we reserve the right to close applications early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable candidates. We therefore encourage early applications.
To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing recruitment@ocugroup.com.
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