Commercial Director - Major Projects Division - Toronto (International Search)

Commercial Director – Major Projects Business Unit

Executive Leadership Opportunity | Toronto, Canada

Location: Toronto, Canada (International Relocation Supported)

Package: Executive Salary + Performance Bonus + Long-Term Incentives + Executive Benefits

Relocation: Full International Relocation Assistance & Visa Sponsorship Available

Shape the Commercial Strategy Behind Canada's Next Generation of Mega Projects

An industry-leading Tier 1 Canadian General Contractor is seeking an exceptional Commercial Director – Major Projects Business Unit to establish and lead the commercial strategy for its newly formed Major Projects Business Unit.

Reporting directly to the President, this executive appointment offers the opportunity to influence the commercial direction of a multi-billion-dollar portfolio spanning complex transportation infrastructure and vertical construction projects.

This is far more than a project Commercial Director role. It is an opportunity to shape the commercial philosophy, governance, risk strategy and commercial capability of a business that is positioning itself as one of Canada's leading major projects contractors.

Working alongside the President and Executive Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the organisation's continued expansion across Canada's largest collaborative infrastructure programmes while developing the commercial capability required to deliver increasingly complex projects for years to come.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the President, the Commercial Director will assume executive responsibility for the commercial leadership of the Major Projects Business Unit.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will establish the commercial vision for the business, shaping governance, contract strategy, commercial performance and risk management across an expanding portfolio of major infrastructure and vertical construction projects.

Rather than overseeing the commercial delivery of a single project, you will provide strategic leadership across multiple concurrent programmes, ensuring consistent commercial excellence throughout every stage of the project lifecycle—from pursuit and procurement through delivery and final account.

You will work closely with Operations Directors, Project Directors and senior client stakeholders to drive commercial performance, develop high-performing commercial teams and embed best-in-class governance across the business.

This role represents a unique opportunity for an experienced commercial leader to leave a lasting legacy by building one of Canada's leading Major Projects commercial organisations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial function across the Major Projects Business Unit.
• Develop and implement the long-term commercial strategy supporting sustainable business growth.
• Act as the principal commercial adviser to the President and Executive Leadership Team.
• Provide executive oversight across a portfolio of major infrastructure and vertical construction projects.
• Establish commercial governance, reporting frameworks and business-wide commercial controls.
• Drive commercial performance, profitability, contract compliance and risk management across the portfolio.
• Develop commercial strategy for major pursuits, tenders and pre-construction activities.
• Influence contract selection, procurement strategy and commercial risk allocation.
• Partner with Operations Directors and Project Directors to maximise project outcomes.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing team of Commercial Directors, Commercial Managers and Quantity Surveyors.
• Support dispute avoidance, commercial negotiations and executive-level client engagement.
• Champion collaborative behaviours across project partners, clients and supply chain organisations.
• Help shape the continued growth and strategic direction of the Major Projects Business Unit.

Essential Requirements

We are specifically seeking senior commercial leaders who have built their careers within major contractor environments delivering large-scale infrastructure programmes.

Mandatory Experience

• Minimum 15 years' commercial leadership experience with Tier 1 contractors.
• Extensive experience delivering complex infrastructure or vertical construction projects valued in excess of £500 million / CAD $1 billion.
• Strong understanding of commercial leadership throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Proven experience operating within collaborative contracting environments including:
• Alliancing
• Progressive Design-Build (PDB)
• Alliance Contracting
• NEC-style collaborative contracts
• Target Cost / Cost Reimbursable delivery models
• Demonstrated experience establishing commercial governance and managing commercial risk across complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong leadership experience developing high-performing commercial teams.
• Exceptional commercial acumen, negotiation skills and executive stakeholder management.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful individual is likely to be one of the following:

• An existing Business Unit Commercial Director seeking a larger executive platform.
• A Commercial Director currently leading the commercial function on a flagship mega project who is ready to transition into Business Unit leadership.
• A senior commercial leader responsible for commercial strategy across a major alliance or collaborative infrastructure programme looking to broaden their influence across an entire portfolio.

Experience across major rail, transit, aviation, highways, marine, nuclear, energy or other complex infrastructure sectors will all be considered.

International experience gained across the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America or the Middle East will be highly regarded.

Above all, we are seeking a commercially astute executive who combines strategic business leadership with first-hand experience delivering complex collaborative infrastructure programmes.

What's on Offer

• Executive Compensation Package.
• Performance Bonus.
• Long-Term Incentive Opportunity.
• Executive Benefits Package.
• Full International Relocation Support.
• Visa Sponsorship for Candidate and Eligible Dependents.
• Direct reporting line to the President.
• Genuine executive influence over business strategy.
• Opportunity to build and shape a newly established Major Projects Business Unit.
• Clear succession pathway into broader Executive Leadership within one of Canada's leading contractors.

Apply

This confidential executive search is being conducted on behalf of one of Canada's leading Tier 1 General Contractors.

Applications are welcomed from accomplished commercial leaders with proven experience delivering major infrastructure programmes under collaborative contracting models who are seeking an opportunity to influence business strategy at executive level.

Confidential enquiries are encouraged.

Only candidates with demonstrable experience within major contractor environments and collaborative delivery models will be considered.