Commercial Manager

05th October, 2026

UP Recruitment has partnered with a highly successful construction business to appoint a Commercial Manager to its Auckland-based leadership team.

This is a genuine opportunity for a technically strong Quantity Surveyor who is ready to take the next step into a senior commercial leadership role, combining hands-on technical expertise, team development and commercial management.

The business delivers substantial industrial and commercial construction projects, typically valued between $10M and $50M, and has built a strong reputation for quality delivery and commercial performance.

They're looking for someone who knows Quantity Surveying inside out - someone who understands the detail, can confidently measure and price construction work, and has the technical credibility to train, mentor and develop the next generation of QS professionals.

For the right person, there is potential for Directorship and shareholding within a highly profitable business.

The Role

You'll take a leading role across the commercial function, working closely with the Directors, Project Managers and wider construction team to maintain strong commercial controls and improve performance across the business.

While this is a Commercial Manager position, the requirement goes beyond managing reports, budgets and commercial processes. They're looking for someone with a solid technical QS foundation who can get into the detail, understand how projects are measured and priced, and provide practical guidance when the team needs it.

You'll be the go-to person for the QS team, a genuine technical sounding board who can review their work, challenge their thinking and help them develop into stronger commercial professionals.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading commercial management across multiple construction projects
• Providing technical oversight across estimating, measurement, quantity take-offs and cost planning
• Reviewing quantities, rates, subcontractor pricing and cost build-ups
• Overseeing procurement, subcontractor negotiations and commercial risk
• Managing variations, claims, cost reporting, cash flow and final accounts
• Working closely with Project Managers to identify commercial opportunities and resolve project issues
• Training, mentoring and developing junior and intermediate Quantity Surveyors
• Acting as the technical sounding board for the QS team, supporting them with complex measurement, pricing and contractual issues
• Establishing strong commercial processes, standards and reporting across projects
• Working directly with the Directors on commercial strategy and business performance

A key part of the position will be raising the technical capability of the wider QS team. You'll need the experience and confidence to explain the detail, teach others how to approach problems and ensure the team is producing accurate, commercially sound work.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys both the technical side of Quantity Surveying and the opportunity to develop people.

The Projects

The business delivers substantial building projects across the industrial and commercial sectors, typically ranging from $10M to $50M.

The portfolio includes:

• Large-scale industrial developments
• Warehousing and logistics facilities
• Commercial buildings and offices
• Retail developments
• Complex commercial construction projects

You'll be working on projects where strong commercial management, accurate measurement, effective procurement and proactive cost control make a genuine difference to the outcome.

The Team

You'll join an established construction business with an experienced leadership group, a relatively flat structure and a strong track record of profitability.

They're looking for someone who can become a key part of the leadership group - someone who can take ownership of the commercial function, support the Project Managers and develop the capability of the QS team.

The ideal person will be technically excellent, commercially astute, approachable and willing to get into the detail when required.

You won't be expected to do everything yourself, but you'll need to be the person others turn to when they need sound technical advice or help working through a difficult commercial issue.

What You'll Need

• Significant Quantity Surveying experience within the construction industry
• A technically solid QS background, with a strong understanding of measurement, quantity take-offs, pricing and cost build-ups
• Main contractor experience, ideally within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 construction business
• Experience across commercial or industrial building projects
• Strong understanding of subcontractor procurement, tender analysis and commercial negotiations
• Proven capability managing variations, claims, cost reporting and final accounts
• A thorough understanding of construction contracts and commercial risk
• The ability to review, challenge and improve the technical quality of QS work
• Experience training, mentoring or developing junior and intermediate Quantity Surveyors
• The confidence to act as a technical sounding board for the wider commercial team
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex commercial issues clearly
• A practical, hands-on approach with strong commercial judgement
• The ambition and leadership capability to take on broader responsibility within the business

The technical QS capability is critical. This role would suit someone who has developed a strong grounding in measurement and commercial construction and can pass that knowledge on to others. A purely managerial or reporting-focused Commercial Manager without that technical depth is unlikely to be the right fit.

Why Join?

A genuine leadership opportunity
Take ownership of the commercial function and work directly with the Directors, influencing commercial strategy, project performance and the future direction of the business.

Potential Directorship and shareholding
This is a standout opportunity for someone who wants more than another step up the career ladder. For the right person, there is potential to progress into a Director-level position and become a shareholder in a highly profitable business.

Make a real difference to the QS team
You'll have the opportunity to shape how the team operates, improve technical standards and mentor junior and intermediate QS professionals. Your knowledge and experience will have a direct impact on the development of others.

Stay close to the technical side
If you enjoy the detail of Quantity Surveying - understanding quantities, measurement, pricing, procurement and commercial strategy, then this role allows you to use that expertise while stepping into a broader leadership position.

$190,000-$220,000+ base salary, depending on experience and capability.
Plus:

• Senior commercial leadership responsibility
• Direct access to the Directors
• The opportunity to lead and develop the QS team
• Potential progression to Directorship
• Potential shareholding in the business
• The opportunity to influence commercial strategy and business performance

If you're an experienced Senior QS / Commercial Manager with a strong technical background, enjoy mentoring others and want the opportunity to play a bigger role in a successful construction business, I'd be keen to have a confidential conversation.

This is particularly suited to someone who wants to combine technical Quantity Surveying expertise with commercial leadership - and potentially build a long-term stake in the business.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, get in touch!

• Email Dennis at UP Recruitment on [email protected]
• Click apply!