The Road to Commercial Director: What 40 Leaders Taught Us (EP 257)

In this episode, Paul is joined by Davin Dillon, founder of Clearnorth — known in the industry as “the QS people” — to unpack one of the most important career questions in construction:What does it really take to become a Commercial Director?Drawing on insights from more than 40 in-depth interviews with Commercial Directors, Davin shares the patterns, pitfalls and turning points that consistently shape the journey from graduate QS to commercial leadership.The conversation explores three critical phases of the journey:1️⃣ The Early Years — Accidental Beginnings & the Power of MentorshipMost Commercial Directors never set out to become QSs. They fell into it. What separated those who progressed was strong mentorship, deliberate development and early exposure to responsibility. The message is clear: don’t drift — take ownership of your career.2️⃣ The Middle Years — The “Glass Ceiling” MomentMany technically excellent QSs stall at senior level. Why? Because the next step isn’t about technical competence — it’s about leadership. Delegation, emotional intelligence and developing others become the defining skills. As Davin puts it:Delegation is the major career unlock.3️⃣ The Final Step — Readiness, Not RecklessnessChasing the title too early can damage credibility. Commercial Directorship requires strategic thinking, people leadership and self-awareness. The best leaders didn’t force the move — they built capability until someone else saw they were ready.The episode also covers:why curiosity consistently stands out in future leaders;what Commercial Directors really look for in interviews;the difference between managing projects and leading teams;how to know when you’re genuinely ready for the step up; andwhy honesty, humility and cultural fit often matter more than technical brilliance.If you’re a QS aiming for the top seat — or a Commercial Director developing the next generation — this is a grounded, experience-led conversation on building a credible, resilient leadership career in construction. You can find the ClearNorth Road to Commercial Director eBook here.---------------------------------📥 Plus: Grab Paul’s free new eBook Mastering Construction Procurement — link below:Mastering Construction Procurement Strategies for Supply Chain Integration, Tendering, and Commercial SuccessFor our list of other eBooks on building your QS Career and AI, click here - Free eBook Downloads.Send us Fan MailWant to connect with Paul?Paul is on Linkedin here and would love to talk. You can also connect with Paul at [email protected] or through, C-Link. C-Link is software built by Quantity Surveyors for Quantity Surveyors. We save 600 hours of Quantity Surveying time per project in automation. We can make your QS’ so much more efficient.Watch the Video to learn more; you can book a demo by clicking here.