Associate Director – Commercial Assurance

Job description

JOB PURPOSE

• Provide independent commercial assurance across the D-Sell portfolio by reviewing, challenging and validating business cases, feasibility studies and commercial decisions.
• Ensure investment decisions are supported by robust commercial analysis, market intelligence and governance before progressing through approval gateways.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Commercial Assurance & Investment Review

• Independently review feasibility studies, business cases and project strategies.
• Challenge commercial assumptions, financial models and investment propositions.
• Validate commercial robustness and investment readiness prior to Investment Committee approvals.
• Prepare independent commercial opinions to support executive decision-making.
• Assess major commercial changes, variation orders and scope changes.
• Support Gateway and Investment Committee governance processes.
• Provide scenario analysis and independent recommendations for strategic investment decisions.

Commercial Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain commercial benchmarks across comparable developments and market sectors.
• Perform market, cost and commercial benchmarking analyses.
• Identify commercial risks, value enhancement opportunities and optimisation initiatives.
• Standardise commercial assurance methodologies and continuously improve governance processes, reporting and analytical capabilities.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and develop the Commercial Assurance function capability.
• Foster a culture of independent challenge, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Promote consistent commercial governance and assurance practices across the portfolio.

KEY MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Commercial reviews completed within agreed SLA.
• Reduction in commercial approval rework.
• Accuracy of commercial assumptions.
• Timely executive decision support.
• Stakeholder satisfaction.

Years of Experience

• 14+ years in in development, commercial, investment or development finance.
• 6+ years managing commercial activities.

Technical and Interpersonal Skills

• Financial Modelling
• Feasibility and Investment Analysis
• Commercial Negotiation
• Market Research
• Strong commercial acumen and critical thinker
• Capable of building and nurturing partnerships across key stakeholders to obtain relevant information and provide firm recommendations
• Excel / Power BI and embedding of AI tools in any work process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Finance, Real Estate, Economics or Engineering.
• Master's preferred.
• CFA, MRICS or equivalent desirable.