Executive Director - Commercial, Planning and Project Controls

Executive Director – Commercial, Planning & Project Controls

Join our dynamic organization as the **Executive Director of Commercial, Planning, and Project Controls (CP&P)**, where you will lead a high-performing team of over 50 professionals to drive excellence in project execution, financial governance, and strategic decision-making. This pivotal role demands a visionary leader who can align commercial, planning, and project controls functions with global business objectives while fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams. If you thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven environment and are passionate about optimizing project performance from inception to asset handover, we invite you to take the helm of this transformative function.

As the Executive Director, you will be responsible for steering a comprehensive portfolio of projects across their entire lifecycle—from master planning and contract administration to budget management, claims resolution, and financial reporting. Your strategic acumen will ensure seamless alignment with organizational goals while delivering measurable value to stakeholders, both internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities

Your leadership will span multiple critical domains, ensuring operational excellence and financial accountability:

• Strategic Leadership & Planning: Develop and execute a robust CP&P strategy that aligns with the organization’s long-term vision, ensuring that commercial, planning, and project controls initiatives drive sustainable growth and efficiency. Establish and monitor KPIs and scorecards to track performance against business objectives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary liaison between SEVEN and a diverse range of stakeholders, including international partners, venture capitalists, and enterprise clients. Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships to enhance project outcomes while managing internal stakeholders to ensure cohesive execution of business objectives.
• Budget & Financial Governance: Lead the corporate budgeting process for projects, ensuring adherence to policies and timelines while optimizing resource allocation. Oversee budget utilization across CP&P functions to mitigate financial risks and enhance cost efficiency, providing leadership in financial reporting and forecasting.
• Operational Excellence & Compliance: Design and maintain robust CP&P policies, procedures, and controls that balance operational agility with regulatory compliance. Direct day-to-day operations to ensure alignment with strategic priorities while fostering a governance framework that supports project delivery and risk mitigation.
• Talent Development & Performance Management: Lead performance evaluations and development initiatives for directors and senior leaders within the CP&P function. Mentor and coach high-potential talent to cultivate a skilled, engaged workforce capable of driving innovation and operational success. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning through regular team meetings and strategic alignment sessions.
• Cost Planning & Benchmarking: Oversee all pre-contract cost estimating, planning, and benchmarking activities to ensure competitive pricing and financial viability. Lead commercial reviews for tenders and contracts, leveraging data-driven insights to optimize procurement strategies and mitigate financial risks.
• Cost Control & Financial Reporting: Provide oversight of project cost control across the global portfolio, identifying risks and opportunities to present actionable recommendations to senior leadership. Lead monthly project reporting, financial analysis, and scenario planning to support informed decision-making and resource allocation.
• Change & Claims Management: Serve as the principal advocate for change management initiatives, collaborating with the Change Committee to implement strategic adjustments that enhance project outcomes. Lead claims management in partnership with the Director of Claims, ensuring fair resolution of disputes while protecting organizational interests.
• Governance & Audit: Ensure full compliance with commercial processes and procedures, leading both internal and external audits to identify areas for improvement. Strengthen contractual strategies and correspondence to safeguard the business against financial and operational risks.
• Commercial Validation & Contractual Oversight: Oversee the validation of contractor quantities, supplier invoices, and project expenditures to maintain financial integrity. Represent the commercial function in executive forums, providing strategic insights to support high-level decision-making.
• Project Lifecycle Management: Lead the development and continuous refinement of business plans throughout the project lifecycle, from design stages to delivery. Monitor project milestones, variations, and payment validations to ensure alignment with approved budgets and timelines.
• Reporting & Strategic Insights: Prepare and oversee comprehensive reporting on project performance, financial health, and operational metrics. Translate complex data into actionable intelligence to guide leadership in optimizing project outcomes and resource allocation.

This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with a proven track record in commercial leadership, project controls, and strategic planning. You will thrive in a dynamic, global environment where your expertise in financial governance, stakeholder management, and operational excellence will drive transformative results. If you are ready to elevate your career and make a lasting impact, we encourage you to apply and help shape the future of our projects portfolio.