Commercial Director

Commercial DirectorROLE WHC LLC (A Surerus Murphy Company) (WHC), is seeking to recruit a Commercial Director to lead the commercial function across our Pipeline, Facilities, and Power sectors. This is a senior leadership role with company-wide accountability for how WHC wins, contracts, and delivers work profitably – from bid strategy and prime contract negotiation through change management, claims, subcontract controls, and commercial reporting to executive leadership. The Commercial Director will set the standard for commercial discipline across the business, build and lead a high-performing commercial team, and act as a trusted advisor to operations and the executive team. The role suits a commercially astute leader who combines deep energy-construction contract expertise with the judgement to protect margin, manage risk, and build lasting client relationships.Key ResponsibilitiesCommercial Leadership & Strategy Lead the commercial function across all sectors, setting strategy, standards, and priorities aligned with company objectives and growth plans.Build, lead, and develop a team of commercial and contracts professionals, defining roles, capability requirements, and succession.Serve as a member of the leadership team, advising executives on commercial performance, risk appetite, and opportunity.Establish and maintain commercial policies, procedures, delegations of authority, and governance, ensuring consistent application across projects.Bids, Tenders & Prime Contracts Lead the commercial review of tenders and proposals, including contract risk assessment, pricing strategy input, and go/no-go recommendations.Lead the commercial negotiation of prime contracts and master service agreements, working with legal counsel, who lead formal legal review and execution.Develop and maintain the company's contracting positions, including preferred terms, acceptable fallbacks, and escalation thresholds.Subcontract & Procurement Governance Oversee subcontract and procurement strategy, ensuring agreements are drafted, negotiated, and awarded in line with company standards and prime contract flow-down obligations.Maintain oversight of subcontractor performance, valuations, payment processes, and back-charges.Change Management, Claims & Disputes Own the change management framework, ensuring entitlement is identified, notified, and recovered on time.Lead the preparation, negotiation, and resolution of significant change orders, claims, and disputes, including delay and disruption, engaging external specialists and legal counsel where required.Ensure contractual notices and records are issued and maintained to protect the company's position.Commercial Reporting & Performance Lead monthly commercial reporting – including cost-value reconciliation, forecast final outcome, margin, cash, and subcontract liability – and present results to executive leadership.Drive forecast accuracy and early warning of commercial risk and opportunity at project and portfolio level.Work with project controls to ensure commercial, cost, and schedule performance are reported on a consistent basis.Risk Management Lead commercial and contractual risk identification, mitigation, and governance across the portfolio, contributing to company-wide risk management.Ensure lessons learned from contracts, claims, and disputes are fed back into bid, contracting, and delivery practices.Relationships & Capability Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with clients, partners, subcontractors, and suppliers at senior level.Develop commercial capability across operations through mentoring, training, and clear guidance on contract administration, change, and claims.Note: In addition to these duties personnel are required to carry out such other duties as may be reasonably required in order to support the objectives of the company. Position Requirements QualificationsBachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; equivalent senior-level experience will be considered.Professional credentials such as MRICS/ FRICS, AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP), NCMA Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), or PMP are an asset.Experience12+ years of progressive commercial, contract management, or quantity surveying experience in energy or heavy civil construction, including at least 5 years in a senior commercial leadership role.Proven track record leading commercial teams on large, complex pipeline, facilities, or power projects.Demonstrated experience leading prime contract negotiations across lump sum, unit rate, reimbursable, and MSA-based contracting models.Track record of successfully leading significant change, claims, and dispute resolution.Experience establishing or improving commercial governance, reporting, and controls at business-unit or company level.Experience in the US energy construction market is strongly preferred.Skills and KnowledgeExpert knowledge of contract drafting, negotiation, and administration.Strong commercial and financial acumen, including cost-value reconciliation, forecasting, and margin and cash management.Sound judgement in balancing risk, relationships, and commercial outcomes.Credible, influential communicator with executives, clients, and field leadership alike.Ability to build, lead, and motivate a team, and to raise commercial capability across the business.Proficiency in contract management and reporting systems and Microsoft Office.Working Conditions This position is primarily office-based in The Woodlands, TX. Regular travel to project sites, company offices, and client locations is required to support project teams and senior client relationships; frequency will vary with project and business needs.Reporting Relationships The Commercial Director reports to the VP Project Controls & Contract Management. EEO Statement WHC Energy Services is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veterans' status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. We thank all applicants in advance. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.