Commercial Manager

NETWORK RAIL; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

NETWORK RAIL in the Southern Region is seeking a Commercial Manager to oversee post-contract commercial management and support pre-contract activities for medium value/medium risk projects. You will provide specialist advice to mitigate commercial risks and ensure governance compliance.

Based at Basingstoke ROC, the role requires attendance in the office on the South Western Railway route and active involvement in cost reporting, invoicing, and contract administration to drive project success.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in commercial management.
• Good negotiation skills.
• Desirable degree and professional membership are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor compliance with Corporate governance and rules in a timely manner.
• Manage cost reporting and forecasts for allocated projects.
• Review contractor delivery and valuations; support change control and cost analysis.
• Provide pro-active commercial guidance to project managers on changes and approvals.
• Undertake final account settlements and close-out activities.

Skills

Commercial management

Relevant experience

NR Suite

Contract forms

Construction/railway industry

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor degree or higher

Membership of professional institute

Chartered status

Generalist commercial environment experience

Tools

NR Suite

Job description

Who We Are

Join the Southern Region - where your work truly matters.

Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day. This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key-and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail. From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference. Click here to learn more.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

Commercial Manager - Commerial & Procurement

Location: Basingstoke ROC

Contract: Full-Time - (permanent)

Salary: From £43,588

Please note this role requires a minimum of 3 days in an office located within South Western Railway route

About the role

Role overview

Provide post-contract commercial management of medium value/medium risk activity and support pre-contract activity within the project delivery team's scope of work, providing specialist commercial advice, guidance and recommendations to mitigate commercial risks.

Key Accountabilities

1. Support the programme and project teams in monitoring for breaches of compliance with Network Rail Corporate governance and rules in a timely manner.
2. Manage cost reporting of all allocated projects within the Network Rail reporting framework including Cost Forecasting, Anticipated Final Cost, Cost of Work Done, Gross Billing and Current Contract Value.
3. Monitor, manage and report on all commercial aspects of allocated projects, flagging issues and proposing mitigation actions at the earliest opportunity to Project Manager and/or Programme Manager (functional reporting line) and/or Senior Commercial Manager.
4. Monitor awareness of all activities on allocated projects in order to influence decision making from a commercial perspective. Review contractor delivery; including leading valuation of medium value/medium risk contracts and attending all progress meetings to actively influence contractor's commercial behaviours, delivery and activity.
5. Manage assessment and valuation of contractor's applications and processing of payment certification in accordance with Network Rail processes, contractual terms and conditions and commensurate with contractual entitlement. Challenge cost elements, audit where appropriate and check valuations are consistent with agreed site progress.
6. Provide pro-active advice and guidance to Project Managers on all change including proposed scope changes, recommending appropriate action in accordance with Network Rail change control systems and produce all required documentation for approval in accordance with levels of delegated authority, including comparative estimates where required, in a timely manner.
7. Produce applications for payment/invoices to outside clients in accordance with relevant funding agreements, including supporting documentation as appropriate.
8. Identify and advise on all commercial risk/claim events.
9. Provide of ad-hoc management information and analysis to promote informed decision-making.
10. Produce appropriate commercial correspondence and contractual notices for issue in accordance with contractual conditions. Check commercial records are retained and archived properly upon close out.
11. Undertake final account settlements and internal reconciliation to project close-out as per the project authority, project plan and within agreed timescales.
12. Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating by undertaking cost analysis of completed projects and feedback as per Cost Allocation Feedback process.
13. Support pre and post contract procurement activities as appropriate.
14. Provide support to estimating resources, offering guidance and advice on project scale/scope as required.
15. Support the negotiation of all prices under existing contracts/framework agreements (including the negotiation of target costs) and fully participate in the associated quantitative risk assessment and value management workshops, as required.

Your experience and skills

Essential

• Extensive experience in commercial management.
• Demonstrable relevant experience
• Good understanding of NR Suite and construction industry forms of contract
• Good understanding of the construction/railway industry
• Good negotiation skills

Desirable

• Educated to degree standard in related subject
• Membership of a relevant professional institute, chartered status
• Significant experience of working within a generalist commercial environment
• Awareness of industry issues

Closing date: 15th September 2026 - Late applications will not be accepted.

You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

For further information, please contact Pieter Kleinhans on telephone number 07730 354 018.