Commercial Director (Roads)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working hours

Additional leave purchase

Gymflex scheme

Virtual GP service

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Senior Commercial professional to lead commercial input across bids, tenders and contracts within our Transport & Infrastructure portfolio. You will partner with Business Units, Legal and Finance to minimise risk and maximise financial returns while aligning with business objectives.

The role requires strong commercial judgement, experience with complex projects, and a collaborative leadership style to drive improvements across people, processes and

Qualifications

• Proven experience in disputes, settlements and contract management.
• Experience in risk management across bids and project delivery.
• Ability to coach, develop and provide constructive feedback.
• Experience with multi-disciplinary projects in transport & infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial input to major bids, tenders and contract negotiations.
• Provide end-to-end commercial support across project delivery, frameworks and working capital recovery.
• Manage commercial risk, opportunities, claims and disputes per policy.
• Support clients and project teams on change management and contractual compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and a strong commercial culture.

Skills

Change leadership

Commercial expertise

Contract management

Risk & opportunity management

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication & influencing

Problem solving

Education

Relevant degree

Professional membership

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Global Leader in Transport & Infrastructure Consulting

WSP is a leading consultancy in the planning, design and delivery of transport and infrastructure solutions that support sustainable growth and resilient communities worldwide. Our global community of professionals brings together civil and structural engineers, digital specialists and programme delivery experts working collaboratively to combine best practice with strong local insight. We form agile, multi‑disciplinary teams to address the unique technical and societal challenges of each project.

Our Transport & Infrastructure portfolio spans the full asset life cycle – from early strategy and feasibility through design, delivery and operations to optimisation and decarbonisation. We support clients across highways, rail, aviation, ports, public transport and active travel, helping deliver safe, efficient and future‑ready networks with lasting value.

A Little More About Your Role…

As part of our Commercial function, you’ll help teams manage risk and unlock opportunity across the full project life cycle from bidding and winning work to delivering it successfully, guided by our Project First approach. Reporting to the Commercial Director for the Transport & Infrastructure portfolio, you’ll act as a trusted commercial partner to Business Units and colleagues alongside Legal and Finance. Through strong commercial judgement and collaborative working, you’ll help minimise risk, maximise financial returns and ensure outcomes align with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commercial input to major bids, tenders and contract negotiations.
• Provide end‑to‑end commercial support across project delivery, frameworks and working capital recovery.
• Manage commercial risk, opportunities, claims and disputes in line with company policy.
• Support clients and project teams on change management, contractual compliance and communications.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and a strong commercial culture across Transport & Infrastructure.

What We Are Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• A confident change leader with a positive, collaborative mindset and the ability to work across all levels.
• Strong commercial expertise, with proven experience in disputes, settlements and contract management.
• Solid understanding of operational performance, monitoring and improvement in a complex environment.
• Committed to inclusion and high performance, with the confidence to coach, develop and provide constructive feedback.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and deliver long‑term commercial improvement initiatives.
• Experienced across complex, multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Excellent communicator and influencer, with strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive problem‑solver, able to identify risks early and drive improvements across people, process and practice.

Professional Experience

• Proven people and commercial management experience in a client‑facing environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with an understanding of consultancy models and performance drivers.
• Demonstrable leadership capability, including delegation, accountability and succession planning.
• Contract management experience using standard forms (e.g. NEC, FIDIC, COE), ideally in the UK and/or Ireland.
• Experience within Transport & Infrastructure gained in consultancy, contractor or a client organisation.
• Relevant degree and/or professional membership.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the "WSP My Hour," allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.