Commercial Manager

Network Rail; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave and private schemes

Pension schemes

Bonus potential

Rail/underground season ticket support

Staff travel benefits

Hybrid working

Job summary

Network Rail in the Midlands is seeking a Commercial Manager to lead the commercial aspects of major investment projects. You will manage project costs, contracts, commercial risk and contractor performance to deliver value for passengers and taxpayers.

The role offers opportunities to lead on major programmes and on high-volume reactive works, with a strong emphasis on governance, reporting and commercial leadership within one of the UK's largest infrastructure organisations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects.
• Understanding of railway and construction industry contracts (NEC/rail formats).
• Experience with cost forecasting, valuations and contract administration.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial support throughout project lifecycle, including forecasting, reporting and valuations.
• Manage contract administration, change control and final account settlement.
• Identify risks and opportunities, support commercial decision-making and governance.

Skills

Commercial management

Contract management

Procurement

Risk management

Cost forecasting

Education

Degree standard

Membership in professional institute

Job description

Two of our largest devolved regions, Eastern and North West & Central, are strengthening their Commercial teams at a pivotal time for the railway. Spanning the East and West Coast mainlines, these regions play a leading role in shaping, managing and delivering some of the most high‑profile infrastructure projects across England - from major cities to rural communities.

You can learn more about each region, and the routes within, here:

We're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail .

We're alsoa Disability Confident Leader employerand we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

About the role

Looking to take the next step in your commercial career?

We're recruiting Commercial Managers to help deliver some of the railway's most important investment projects across England. You'll play a central role in managing project costs, contracts, commercial risk and contractor performance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and deliver value for passengers and taxpayers.

There are opportunities to support and lead Commercial activities on major projects and programmes, which deliver some of the most exciting and innovative projects in UK infrastructure, to smaller-scale, higher volume reactive works which keep the railway moving and support business-critical activities.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on complex infrastructure programmes while developing your commercial expertise within one of the UK's largest infrastructure organisations.

Locations: Birmingham (including Smethwick), Derby, Liverpool, London (Stratford), Manchester (including Stockport), and York. As part of your application, you will be asked to specify which location you are applying for. Candidates who have already applied for IRC2363739do not need to apply again; your application remains valid and will be included in the overall sift.

Read the attached information pack to learn more about the Commercial function at Network Rail. You can also hear from our people about what it's like to work at Network Rail:

Assessments:Assessments are expected to take place in-person in October 2026, across various dates and locations. More details of these will be released to candidates who pass the sifting criteria.

Candidates should be comfortable with occasional travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a large volume of applications is received.

What's in it for you

Here are a few of the benefits we have to offer:

• 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
• Access to a range of contributory pension schemes
• The potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
• Privileged staff travel - Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
• We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
• A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
• Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
• Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
• 5 days of paid volunteering leave
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community

While there may be specific role-related duties not listed here, in general, you'll provide commercial support throughout the project lifecycle, managing forecasting, reporting, valuations, contract administration, change control and final account settlement activities.

Working closely with project teams, contractors and procurement colleagues, you'll help identify risks and opportunities, challenge assumptions, support commercial decision-making and ensure strong governance and compliance standards are maintained.

You'll also contribute to negotiations, contractor performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives that drive efficiency and value across the business.

Some roles are based within our Capital Delivery Programmes functions and require experience of managing NEC and rail supply chain contracts. These roles provide commercial leadership across the full contract lifecycle, including procurement, NEC4 contract administration and commercial governance.

What You'll Have

• Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects
• Good understanding of railway and construction industry forms of contract
• Good understanding of the construction/railway industry

As part of your application, you'll be asked to explain how your skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications meet the essential criteria. Please also upload your latest CV if prompted.

We would also like but it isn't crucial to have/to be

• 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

Ideal For

The ideal Commercial Manager will be a highly capable commercial professional with experience in contract management, procurement, commercial strategy and risk management within a project or programme environment. They will possess strong commercial acumen, excellent negotiation skills and the ability to provide confident leadership across all aspects of the commercial lifecycle to ensure value for money while protecting and enhancing the organisation's commercial position. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who can analyse complex issues, make informed decisions and influence stakeholders at all levels. They will have a proven track record of managing contractual performance, driving cost efficiency, resolving commercial challenges and delivering successful outcomes in a collaborative manner.

Key Information

Number of Positions: 1

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Location: Midlands

Closing Date: 16-SEP-2026

Job Category: Business, Commercial and Project Management