PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Director, Commercial Services (DCS) is a senior leadership role responsible for the leadership and oversight of all commercial management activities for the Rail Expansion (RE) Program. This role is critical to ensuring the program’s success by proactively resolving complex commercial issues, managing risks, avoiding claims, and driving forward-looking commercial decisions that prioritize best program outcomes, in collaboration with TransLink’s Strategic Sourcing and Contract Management (SSCM),.
The DCS position reports to the CFO, with matrix reporting to the Executive Director CMBP, accountable for the Rail Expansion Program and is empowered to make strategic commercial decisions within delegated authority, escalating when necessary, to senior TransLink/BCRTC executives. This role is a strategic, business critical leadership role focused on commercial outcomes, stakeholder alignment, and program’s momentum.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Serve as the primary commercial advisor to the Executive Director and BCRTC leadership team on all commercial matters impacting RE scope, schedule, budget, risk, reputation, and stakeholder relations
Develop and implement a proactive commercial strategy focused on claim avoidance, early dispute resolution, and accelerating program delivery through collaborative problem-solving.
Participate in market engagement activities related to the Rail Expansion Program, including early market soundings, industry briefings, and structured feedback processes to inform procurement and commercial strategies.
Participate in negotiations with external vendors, contractors, and delivery partners – ensuring alignment with TransLink’s commercial objectives, risk appetite, and value-for-money principles.
Work closely with SSCM, Finance, Legal, and Sponsors to integrate commercial and technical perspective; work with SSCM to integrate procurement and contracting strategy early in the program lifecycle
Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing Commercial Services team, including Commercial/Contract Managers and Contract Administrators through close collaboration with TransLink’s SSCM Function, and some direct resources; recommend and support resource requirements, training and functional accountability to empower team members to achieve commercial outcomes
Work collaboratively with Strategic Sourcing and Contract Management, in the development and finalization of Sourcing and Contracting Strategies related to Rail Expansion to ensure commercial objectives are achieved throughout the Rail Expansion contract/project lifecycle; work closely with project managers of the Rail Expansion Program to ensure key roadblocks or issues are being addressed in a timely manner, so that decisions are being made to advance the project and appropriate commercial tradeoffs are being made to advance the program
Conduct reviews and implement KPIs for the commercial team’s performance on the Rail Expansion program
Working in collaboration with SSCM, provide commercial oversight including leading (as required) commercial negotiations during sourcing events to ensure alignment with commercial outcomes
Lead and support Rail Expansion contract change management processes in collaboration with TransLink’s SSCM function; recommend and implement revisions that achieve commercial outcomes
Serve as the primary point of contact for all commercial communications with contractors (and subcontractors); ensure timely issuance of formal correspondence to maintain program’s momentum
Collaborate closely with technical, construction, and engineering teams to separate technical resolution from commercial strategy — initiating commercial engagement only after technical options are exhausted; interface with TransLink’s Legal Counsel, Strategic Sourcing (for procedural support), Finance, and Executive Leadership as required
Ensure all commercial activities comply with program’s governance frameworks and the new contract change – Master Services Agreement (MSA) process; maintain accurate, auditable commercial logs (PCOs, claims, disputes, correspondence, etc.)
Recommend to TransLink’s Strategic Sourcing, revisions to the sourcing, contract management and procurement guideline, including development of RACI matrix; ensure all commercial decisions are documented, defensible, and aligned with contractual terms
Identify emerging commercial risks, quantify impacts, and recommend mitigation strategies; escalate high-value decisions or strategic disputes
Identify and respond to issues that may impact the organization; exercise sound judgment regarding information shared with external stakeholders and partners, including sensitivity to political timing; recognize executive level challenges and the influence of political considerations on decision making; negotiate and manage complex commercial agreements; and balance competing priorities within a highly political, time sensitive environment
Prevent decisions from being delayed by layered approval committees, and champion a lean, nimble decision-making process
