Head of Commercials & Projects

Head of Commercials & Projects at Cranfield Talent Consultants Nigeria Limited

Location: Lagos

Client Industry: Interior Architecture, Manufacturing & Commercial Interiors

Position Overview The Head of Commercial & Projects will be responsible for driving business growth while providing strategic oversight of project delivery, profitability, contract management, and client relationships. The role will serve as the critical link between commercial, design, manufacturing, and project delivery functions, ensuring projects are commercially viable, effectively coordinated, and successfully delivered. This role is ideal for a commercially astute leader who combines strong business development capability with commercial discipline, strategic thinking, and the ability to build lasting client relationships within a project-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy, Project Delivery & Business Growth:

• Develop and execute commercial initiatives that support business growth, profitability, and market expansion.
• Identify and pursue opportunities across corporate, hospitality, residential, retail, and project-based sectors.
• Monitor market developments, industry trends, and competitor activity to inform commercial decisions.
• Support the development of pricing and market penetration strategies that strengthen competitiveness and profitability.

Business Development & Client Partnerships:

• Build and maintain relationships with developers, corporate organizations, architects, consultants, contractors, hospitality operators, and other key stakeholders.
• Identify new revenue streams and strategic partnership opportunities.
• Lead client engagement activities from opportunity identification through contract award and project handover.
• Drive business acquisition and contribute directly to revenue growth targets.

Project Delivery & Portfolio Oversight:

• Provide strategic oversight of the company's project portfolio from contract award through completion.
• Monitor project scope, programme, budget, quality, and profitability.
• Support Project Managers in resolving project risks, delays, cost overruns, and delivery challenges.
• Ensure effective coordination between Design, Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Installation teams.
• Drive project performance, accountability, and successful project close-out.

Tenders, Proposals & Commercial Negotiations:

• Lead the commercial aspects of bids, tenders, proposals, and contract negotiations.
• Work closely with design, manufacturing, procurement, and project delivery teams to develop commercially sound solutions.
• Ensure proposals align with client requirements while protecting business margins and commercial interests.
• Negotiate agreements that support long-term value creation and sustainable client relationships.
• Review project costs, risks, exclusions, and margin assumptions before tender submission.
• Coordinate technical, design, procurement, and commercial inputs into tender submissions.
• Ensure effective commercial and operational handover following contract award.

Interior Design & Technical Coordination:

• Evaluate design proposals for commercial viability, manufacturability, and project delivery requirements.
• Support value engineering initiatives that optimize cost, quality, functionality, and delivery outcomes.
• Review design changes for cost, programme, procurement, and production impact.
• Ensure design information, drawings, and specifications are sufficiently developed before production commencement.
• Collaborate with Interior Design, Technical, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Installation teams to ensure seamless project execution.
• Balance design intent with commercial, operational, and client requirements.

Commercial Performance & Risk Management:

• Monitor project profitability, commercial performance, and contract outcomes.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and revenue planning activities.
• Identify commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Provide commercial insight and recommendations to executive leadership.

Contract & Commercial Management:

• Review contracts, purchase orders, scopes of work, and commercial terms.
• Manage variations, claims, and scope changes throughout project execution.
• Protect the company's commercial interests and contractual entitlements.
• Lead commercial negotiations relating to project changes and additional works.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Provide leadership, direction, and performance management to Project Managers, Quantity Surveying, Commercial, and Business Development resources.

• Collaborate closely with Interior Design, Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, Finance, and Project Delivery teams.

• Promote a commercially focused culture centred on accountability, performance, and client satisfaction.

• Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor Degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• 8–12 years experience in commercial, business development, contracts, sales leadership, or related roles.
• Experience within commercial interiors, furniture manufacturing, fit-out, construction, real estate, workplace solutions, building products, hospitality projects, or related sectors will be highly advantageous.
• Experience managing complex, project-based sales environments and multi-stakeholder engagements.
• MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification will be an added advantage.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong track record in business development, commercial management, contracts, or strategic sales leadership.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and overseeing project profitability, programme performance, and client delivery.
• Strong commercial negotiation and stakeholder management capability.
• Experience leading tenders, proposals, quotations, or competitive bidding processes.
• Sound understanding of pricing, profitability, commercial risk, and revenue management.
• The ability to engage confidently with senior decision-makers and influence complex buying decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship management skills.
• A commercial mindset supported by strategic thinking and execution capability.

Application Closing Date

Not Specified.