Commercial Contracts Director

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Job Title Commercial Contracts Director

Directorate (and Team) TBC

Location (supported by Hybrid Working) London (potentially Birmingham)

Full Time or Part Time Full time

Company Overview Ardent is the UK's leading provider of land, consent management and stakeholder engagement services to support major infrastructure and regeneration projects from concept to delivery.We are Project Managers, Chartered Surveyors, Engagement specialists and Land Referencers, based in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Warrington, Leeds, Glasgow and Dublin and supporting projects throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland.Established in 1992, we are a high-growth business with a client portfolio that includes some of the biggest players across our four core sectors of transport, renewables, utilities and regeneration.We are passionate about delivering life-improving change for communities and future generations and we are proud to play a key role in facilitating and delivering the UK and Ireland's net zero and growth agendas, improving connectivity, enabling the repurposing of high streets and town centres and delivering new homes.We are problem-solvers that are outcome focused working collaboratively with our clients to provide strategic advice and services that identify and mitigate risks, deliver efficiencies, delivering buildable consents and then implementing those consents to positively change people's lives and the world that we live in.

Role Purpose Our Ardent purpose is - Delivering life improving change for communities and future generations.Projects Division PurposeTo be accountable for consistent, high-quality, commercially effective delivery of all Ardent projects, ensuring strong governance, client delight, risk mitigation, commercial performance, across the organisation.

What - Ensure all Ardent projects are delivered in a strategically aligned consistent way, maximising client delight, mitigating risk, maximising commercial outcomes.

Why - To support the delivery of life-improving change for communities and future generations, enable service expansion and long-term client retention, win future work, and deliver sustainable commercial returns that support Ardent's growth strategy and cash-flow stability.

How - Set clear project visions and ensure alignment of resources, communication, governance, and reporting, with accountability for tracking performance and leading continuous improvement across all projects.

Role Scope and AuthorityTo be the accountable individual for effective contractual delivery of all projects across the whole Ardent organisation, to ensure market leading contractual governance (compliance and improving Ardent commercial and contractual governance to achieve this outcome), commercial outcomes (Ardent commercial and contractual), people engagement (Ardent team) and risk mitigation (Ardent risks). The role extends from NDA and contract review at tender stage, through contract award/negotiation and signature, to effective contract delivery. The role requires outstanding communication skills to engage the Projects team along with project resources across the Ardent organisation and to provide support to effectively engage and resolve contractual challenges with Divisional Heads and Executive Board members. With a remit to cover British Isles/ROI Wide.

Key interdependencies & relationships: Report to: Head of Projects Head of Growth Division and Strategic Leads Head of Professional Service Division and Strategic Leads Head of Corporate Services and Strategic Leads

The Commercial Contracts Director will play a critical role in evolving Ardent's project contractual delivery capability to operate effectively at increased scale, complexity, and pace. This includes strengthening contractual and commercial governance maturity, embedding commercial data-led decision-making, and developing future-ready project commercial leadership capability to support growth across sectors and geographies. The role will shape how Ardent consistently delivers highquality, commercially successful projects in an increasingly complex delivery and risk environment.

Values Alignment & Shared Commitment The Commercial Contracts Director is an ambassador of the Ardent values, promoting a culture of integrity, collaboration and excellence, inspiring a commitment to inclusivity, change and innovation.

Thirst for knowledge - We embrace every opportunity to learn, grow and continuously improve Own it - We do what we say we will do. We own our individual actions, are accountable for them,

and take pride in adding value Be the difference - Focus energy to make things happen. Go beyond process. Stand up, Stand out

Enjoy the journey - Have fun, be engaged and be proud to be Ardent Adapt - We drive change and innovation to deliver growth and new opportunities in an everchanging world

The role is characterised by strategic contractual oversight, governance leadership, commercial decisionmaking, senior stakeholder engagement, and capability development across the project community.Owning contractual negotiation, contractual adherence and maximising commercial gains from contracts.

Accountabilities Outcome Lead and direct full contractand NDA lifecyclemanagement.

Own the drafting, negotiation, execution, and change control of all client, supplier, and partner agreements (including NDAs), ensuring they reflect Ardent's scope, protect commercial interests, and remain fully deliverable.Support PADs throughout tendering and delivery to ensure optimal positions are achieved.

Set and enforce Ardent'scontractual risk strategy

Define acceptable positions on indemnities, liability, reliance, IP/licensing, warranties and PI, and guide PADs in managing commercial issues, claims, and disputes throughout the project lifecycle.

Secure commercialentitlements and manageclaims.

Proactively protect Ardent's rights regarding delay, disruption and additional services through early notices, evidence packs, and structured resolution under the contract.

Strengthen contractgovernance and capabilityacross PADs/PAMs.

Provide PADs and PAMs with contract-specific tools, templates, guidance, and coaching to ensure consistent contract administration and high-quality commercial contract execution, without duplicating wider projectgovernance responsibilities held elsewhere.

Provide clear contractualinsights to support projectand portfolio reporting.

Ensure accurate and timely contract-related inputs - such as commercial positions, entitlements, risks, obligations, and issues - are fed into project and portfolio reporting led by the Head of Projects, supporting escalation and decision-making.

Lead cross-functionalcommercial alignment across

Ensure that bids, project delivery, and organisational decision-making are commercially optimised through close collaboration with Growth,Professional Services and Finance.

Growth, ProfessionalServices, and Finance.

Core Competencies (Expected of Everyone) Outcome Integrity

Upholding high standards of honesty, fairness, and ethicalbehaviour in all actions and decisions. Acting consistently withstated values and commitments, even when faced withpressure or personal risk.

Trust is established and maintainedwith colleagues, clients, andstakeholders through reliable, ethical,and transparent conduct.

Understanding, valuing, and respecting individual differences.Treating people fairly and with dignity regardless ofbackground, identity, or role, and creating an inclusiveenvironment where diverse perspectives are welcomed.

An inclusive, respectful culture isfostered where people feel valued anddecisions are made objectively andwithout bias.

Safety

Understanding and applying safety practices and proceduresto protect people, assets, and operations. Identifying risks andhazards and taking appropriate action to minimise harm.

A safe working environment ismaintained, with risks effectivelymanaged and productivity achievedwithout compromising safety.

Resilience

Managing pressure, change, and setbacks in a positive andprofessional manner. Maintaining focus, effectiveness, andemotional control during challenging situations.

Performance and professionalism aresustained during periods of stress,uncertainty, or change.

Courage of convictions Important issues are addressed openly,leading to better decisions, integrity in

Demonstrating the confidence and personal courage toraise difficult issues, challenge constructively, and standby well-reasoned decisions, even in the face ofopposition.

action, and stronger organisationaloutcomes.

Understanding and anticipating customer needs andensuring products, services, and solutions deliver valueand exceed expectations. Advocating for the customerperspective within the organisation.

Customer satisfaction, trust, and long-termrelationships are strengthened throughresponsive and value-driven delivery.

Motivating others

Inspiring and energising others to perform at a high levelby demonstrating enthusiasm, commitment, and belief inshared goals. Adapting approaches to motivate differentindividuals.

High levels of engagement, enthusiasm,and performance are evident acrossindividuals and teams.

Working collaboratively with others to achieve sharedobjectives. Building positive relationships, sharinginformation, and contributing actively to collectivesuccess. delivery, improved problem-solving, andachievement of common goals.

Driving for results
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