Commercial Manager

John Sisk & Son; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vision Built, a Sisk Company, is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to lead cost control, value management and contractual governance on major construction projects in the UK.

You will oversee cash-flow forecasting, prepare cost plans, mentor the commercial team, and build relationships with clients and subcontractors while ensuring compliance with safety and company policies. This role offers leadership across multiple projects and a focus on commercial performance and risk management.

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, risk management and dispute resolution.
• Proven experience leading commercial teams on large construction projects.
• CSCS card and ongoing CPD in construction law and commercial management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Training in negotiation and change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost and value management for projects with established systems and procedures.
• Oversee financial reporting and cash-flow forecasting for projects.
• Negotiate contract terms, bonds, warranties and guarantees with clients.
• Manage project change processes and recover entitlements.
• Lead risk and opportunity management with the operations team.
• Provide commercial support and training to site staff.
• Mentor the commercial team and develop capability.
• Supervise cost plans for complex projects using appropriate methods.
• Lead analysis of project cost reports to inform decisions.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and company policies.
• Represent the company in industry networks and maintain relationships.
• Provide guidance on risk allocation and design liability in agreements.
• Ensure bid and contract documents are accurate and timely.

Skills

Contract law

Risk management

Dispute resolution

Negotiation

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Cost control

Financial reporting

Education

Quantity Surveying

Construction Management

Law

Business Administration

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead cost and value management for projects, ensuring systems and procedures are in place and followed.
• Oversee financial reporting and cash-flow forecasting for projects.
• Identify and negotiate unacceptable contract terms, bonds, warranties and guarantees with clients and stakeholders.
• Manage project change processes by recording, evaluating and recovering entitlements where not the company's liability.
• Lead risk and opportunity management with the operations team, ensuring mitigation measures are identified and implemented.
• Provide commercial support and training to site staff.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and mentor the commercial team to deliver key responsibilities and develop professional capability.
• Support knowledge sharing and mentoring through structured programmes.
• Supervise the preparation of cost plans for complex projects using appropriate techniques and software.
• Lead the analysis of project cost reports to inform decision making.
• Ensure commercial teams act in line with company values, health and safety standards and cultural behaviours.

Program & Reporting

• Prepare and monitor long-term cash forecasts for projects, interpreting variances and recommending corrective action.
• Lead preparation of contractual correspondence and reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Develop innovative systems to control costs and monitor financial performance.
• Support programme and change reporting to management and stakeholders.
• Contribute to business planning and ensure alignment of commercial objectives with business unit strategy.
• Represent the company in industry networks and forums, maintaining professional relationships that support business growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors and third parties on commercial issues.
• Provide guidance on risk allocation, step-down clauses and design liability in subcontractor and designer agreements.
• Ensure commercial practices comply with legislation, company policies and best practice.
• Proven experience in commercial management within construction or infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, risk management and dispute resolution.
• Skilled negotiator with the ability to secure acceptable outcomes on complex projects.
• Experience leading commercial teams across multiple projects or large-scale programmes.
• Detailed understanding of project cost management systems and ability to interpret data for decision making.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to prepare accurate contractual correspondence and reports under tight timelines.
• Knowledge of design and build processes and delivery planning for multi-disciplinary teams., Experience with behavioural-based safety leadership.
• Strong financial management background with proven ability to optimise inflow and reduce outflow.
• Experience developing innovative systems for monitoring direct works cost and project financial performance.
• Active involvement in professional networks or industry associations., Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, Business Administration or related field.
• Training in bonds, warranties and insurances.
• Training in dispute resolution and contract management.
• Training in financial management and cost control.
• Leadership training in managing and developing teams.
• Training in communication, influencing and negotiation.
• Valid CSCS card.
• Advanced training in change management, persuasion and influencing skills.
• Ongoing CPD in construction law, commercial management and industry best practice.

Vision Built, a Sisk Company, is a leading offsite construction company delivering high-quality modular and panelised building solutions. Our team combines innovation with practical construction expertise to deliver projects safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.