What does a head of commercial development do?

A Head of Commercial Development (sometimes called Director of Commercial Development or VP of Commercial Development) is a senior role in a company—often in real estate, construction, or corporate business development—that focuses on identifying, planning, and executing strategies to grow the company’s revenue and market presence through commercial opportunities. Here’s a breakdown of the key responsibilities:


1. Strategy & Planning

  • Develop and lead the company’s commercial growth strategy.
  • Identify new market opportunities, partnerships, or revenue streams.
  • Align commercial development goals with overall business objectives.

2. Business Development

  • Build relationships with key clients, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Negotiate deals, contracts, or joint ventures that support growth.
  • Evaluate the financial viability and ROI of potential projects.

3. Project Oversight

  • Oversee commercial projects from conception to completion.
  • Work closely with project managers, marketing, sales, and finance teams.
  • Ensure projects meet financial, timeline, and quality targets.

4. Market Analysis

  • Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and customer needs.
  • Provide insights to guide strategic decisions and product/service offerings.

5. Team Leadership

  • Lead a team of business development managers, analysts, or commercial managers.
  • Mentor, set targets, and ensure accountability within the team.

6. Financial Management

  • Prepare business cases, budgets, and forecasts for commercial initiatives.
  • Track project performance and profitability.
  • Optimize commercial processes to maximize revenue and minimize risk.

In short: The head of commercial development is the bridge between strategy, business growth, and execution. They make sure the company is capturing opportunities in the market, generating revenue, and positioning itself for long-term success.

Related

What does a commercial development manager do?

What is a commercial development company?

What is the meaning of commercial development?

Table of Contents