Commercial Director - Design & Build in Water and Environment

London
Water At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

About the opportunity

Director of Operations, Flexible / National – detailed design and water sector experience

At Jacobs, we are not just delivering infrastructure, we are shaping the future across the water sector. During a time of unprecedented investment, with numerous multi-year frameworks and major project contracts secured across the UK, Ireland, and globally, our Water team is expanding.

We have an immediate opportunity for a Commercial Director, primarily supporting our major design and build capability across the UK and Ireland. This role will include working directly with contractors. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will develop relationships, help develop the business and ensure commercial excellence across the full project lifecycle.

Reporting to the Head of Design and Build for Water and Environment, you will initially develop and then lead a commercial and contractual team capable of delivering our project and programme objectives. You will be part of our UK and Ireland Water and Environment team of nearly 2,500 professionals, and be part of a global network, working collaboratively to deliver transformative solutions and resolve issues on high-profile projects.

The location is flexible, with an expectation of at least 3 days in a Jacobs or Client office and be able to travel regularly as needed across the UK and Ireland.

Your Impact

  • Proven track record and understanding trends and norms in respect of contractual requirements for Design and Build contracts.
  • Lead on all contractual and commercial matters associated with our most complex and important bid opportunities.
  • Undertake contractual and commercial negotiations with our strategic clients.
  • Commercially lead during the delivery phase on our key programmes and strategic projects within Water and Environment.
  • Develop, mentor and lead a team of commercial and contractual experts.
  • Provide commercial advice, support and assurance at all stages of the contract lifecycle.
  • Lead on any dispute resolution or claims.

Key Responsibilities and Areas of Expertise

  • Commercial / Contractual Management in a water/wastewater setting, ideally in Design and Build
  • Commercial / Contractual Leadership & Mentoring
  • Collaborative Planning & Delivery Strategy design and implementation.
  • Risk & Change Management strategy and implementation.
  • Provision of financial & commercial oversight to support wider project and programme team

Here's what you'll need

  • Ideally have chartership in a recognised professional body, such as ICE, RICS or MCIOB, and have 15+ years’ experience, preferably in the Water sector.
  • Proven leadership in commercial management of large-scale infrastructure projects and programmes, ideally in a Design and Build environment.
  • Expertise in multidisciplinary engineering and construction integration.
  • Contractual expertise, including in NEC3/4 as a minimum.
  • Ability to operate autonomously across a wide range of complex projects with authority.
  • Be a great communicator able to explain complex commercial issues to multiple stakeholders with differing backgrounds and expertise

#LI-MF3

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our  Jacobs Employee Networks here .

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .

Locations

City State Country
Manchester Greater Manchester United Kingdom
Birmingham West Midlands United Kingdom
Reading Berkshire United Kingdom
Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
Leeds West Yorkshire United Kingdom
Glasgow Lanarkshire United Kingdom
Edinburgh East Lothian United Kingdom
Bristol Bristol City United Kingdom
Exeter Devon United Kingdom
Belfast Antrim United Kingdom
London Greater London United Kingdom
Posted 2026-03-12

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