Associate Director – Commercial Assurance

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.