Commercial Lead

JR United Kingdom; Hebburn; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in engineering seeks a Commercial Manager to oversee complex contracts and manage risk throughout project lifecycles. The ideal candidate will have experience in defence contracting and strong interpersonal skills. This role offers financial benefits, support for healthy living, and a chance for personal growth within a skilled team.

Benefits

Pension with up to 4% employer contribution

Life cover at 7x basic salary

Health cash plan covering healthcare costs

Sick pay, dental, optical, and physiotherapy support

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

25 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Maternity, Paternity, and Parental leave support

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial management, preferably in heavy engineering or defence.
• Strong understanding of UK defence contracting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial aspects of high-value projects.
• Monitor and manage scope creep and contract variations.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure contract obligations.

Skills

Commercial Management

Contract Interpretation

Risk Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Negotiation

Education

Degree in Commercial, Legal, Quantity Surveying, Business, or Engineering

Job description

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This is a commercially driven role focused on contracts, risk management, and commercial optimisation. We are looking for someone who will engage with customers, managing the interface throughout the full lifecycle, supporting sales and customer management activities.

This role is 100% site-based, working closely with internal teams and a customer who has an on-site presence, managing complex, fast-paced engineering projects.

We want someone who can take responsibility and own the outcome. If that sounds like you, we'd love to talk.

What will you do?

1. Contractual Oversight: Interpret, assess, and manage complex commercial terms and conditions, typically in UK defence and MoD-related contracts (e.g., DEFCONs, flow-downs, liability clauses, indemnities, limitations, warranties).
2. Commercial Management: Lead the commercial aspects of high-value projects from pre-contract to final account, ensuring alignment with company objectives and customer expectations.
3. Risk & Opportunity Management: Identify, assess, and categorize commercial risks and opportunities; implement mitigation strategies with contractual protections.
4. Scope Management: Monitor and manage scope creep, contract variations, and changes, ensuring the business is compensated for additional work or deviations.
5. Performance & Value Tracking: Evaluate contract deliverables, KPIs, and performance metrics to drive value management and ensure profitable outcomes.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with legal, project management, finance, and operations teams to ensure understanding and adherence to obligations and rights.
7. Negotiation & Strategy: Lead or support negotiations with customers, suppliers, and subcontractors to achieve favourable terms and outcomes.

What are we looking for?

• Degree qualified or equivalent in a commercial, legal, quantity surveying, business, engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience in commercial management, preferably in heavy engineering, defence, or infrastructure.
• Deep understanding of UK defence contracting principles, including familiarity with MoD, Defence Equipment and Support, and prime contractor frameworks.
• Experience in contract interpretation, negotiation, and variation management.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex contractual and financial information.
• Strong knowledge of commercial risks, liabilities, indemnities, caps, and exclusions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.

Personal Growth

This role offers the chance to make a significant impact and learn from a team of experts in marine and structural engineering industries, shaping the future of the business.

Financial Security

Benefits include a pension with up to 4% employer contribution by A&P Tyne, and life cover at 7x your basic salary.

Healthy Living

We support healthy living with sick pay, a health cash plan covering healthcare costs, dental, optical, physiotherapy, counselling, mental health support, 24/7 virtual GP, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Work-life Balance

Enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus Bank Holidays. Maternity, Paternity, and Parental leave support you during life changes, helping balance family responsibilities with work.

Security Restrictions: Some roles may be subject to security control restrictions based on nationality, previous nationalities, or place of birth.

Security Check: A Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check, including a basic DBS check, is required before employment starts.