Commercial Directors Recruitment

• Scale the commercial function
• Support acquisition or post-acquisition integration
• Prepare for international expansion
• Deliver a wider business transformation
• Strengthen leadership following investment
• Plan for succession
• Replace an underperforming commercial executive

Sometimes the issue is not a lack of opportunity. The business may have strong products, services and market potential but lack the commercial leadership needed to convert that potential into consistent performance.

Where an existing executive remains in position, we can conduct the appointment through a confidential executive search, protecting the organisation, incumbent and wider leadership team throughout the process.

If performance has already become an issue, our work replacing an underperforming executive helps boards approach the leadership change with greater structure and discretion.

Where immediate leadership is required, an interim Commercial Director can also provide stability and commercial direction while the permanent appointment is completed.

• Improved market positioning
• Successful entry into new markets
• Better alignment between sales, marketing and wider
• business strategy
• Greater accountability for commercial performance
• Stronger commercial teams and leadership capability
• More informed Board-level commercial decisions

Success is not simply higher sales. The strongest Commercial Directors create the structure, discipline and leadership capability required to make growth profitable and sustainable.

This makes the quality and breadth of the search important.

Through detailed market mapping and targeted executive search, Novo identifies proven commercial leaders from direct competitors and relevant adjacent sectors. This allows us to look beyond the immediately visible candidate market and engage individuals whose experience may offer a stronger match for the commercial challenge.

Our approach goes beyond identifying candidates with the right job title. We assess the scale and complexity of their commercial experience, their record of delivering profitable growth and their ability to make an impact within your particular culture and market.

The right Commercial Director can transform how a company approaches its market, creating stronger customer relationships, better commercial decisions and sustainable, profitable growth.
Our approach is consultative, targeted and built around the commercial outcomes the appointment needs to deliver.

Discovery: We begin by understanding your commercial strategy, markets, customers, competitive position and growth ambitions.

We work with key stakeholders to define the mandate and determine what the incoming Commercial Director needs to achieve rather than simply replacing an existing job description.

Executive Search: We conduct detailed market mapping across relevant sectors, competitors and adjacent markets.
Using our established networks and direct executive search, we identify and engage proven commercial leaders, including individuals who are not actively seeking a new opportunity.

Assessment: Candidates are assessed against the specific commercial challenge.

We examine their record of profitable growth, margin improvement, market development, pricing, customer strategy, team leadership and commercial transformation alongside leadership style, judgement and cultural alignment.

Engagement: We manage the process through interviews, stakeholder alignment, negotiations and acceptance, maintaining candidate engagement throughout.

Onboarding: Our involvement continues beyond the appointment to support early alignment and help the incoming Commercial Director establish momentum with the Board, leadership team and wider commercial function.

Commercial Leadership Expertise: We understand that Commercial Director roles differ significantly between organisations. We define the search around your markets, operating model, growth strategy and commercial challenge rather than relying on a generic role profile.

Proven Commercial Assessment: We look beyond job titles and assess what candidates have actually delivered, including the scale and complexity of their commercial responsibility, profitable growth, margin performance, customer strategy and leadership impact.

Broader Market Access: Our targeted search approach reaches direct competitors and relevant adjacent sectors, opening access to commercial leaders who may not appear through conventional recruitment channels.

Global Candidate Network: We recruit Commercial Directors and senior commercial leaders across the UK and international markets, giving clients access to talent beyond their immediate geography.

Absolute Discretion: Commercial leadership changes can be particularly sensitive where an incumbent remains in position, performance is under review or strategic plans have not yet been announced. Confidentiality is embedded throughout our process.

Professional Standards: As members of the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC), we operate to recognised international standards of ethics and professional practice.