Commercial Manager

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement institute in Birmingham is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to drive the commercial success of infrastructure and energy-related projects. The role involves managing contracts, overseeing cost control, and ensuring compliance with commercial obligations. Ideal candidates will have substantial commercial management experience, a strong grasp of NEC contracts, and excellent negotiation and communication skills. This opportunity allows you to impact high-performing projects in a safety-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial management within utilities, energy, or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of NEC or similar contract suites.
• A proactive approach to risk management and cost control.

Responsibilities

• Oversee contract administration and ensure obligations are met.
• Lead commercial reviews, valuations, and applications for payment.
• Manage change control processes and settle subcontractor accounts.
• Provide accurate commercial reporting and monitor project performance.
• Identify and manage commercial and contractual risks.

Skills

Commercial judgement

Negotiation ability

Communication skills

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Commercial Manager to take commercial ownership. This role is central to ensuring the financial, contractual, and commercial success of complex infrastructure and energy-related projects in a high-performing, safety-focused environment.

As a Commercial Manager, you will work closely with project managers, engineers, subcontractors, and client representatives to deliver strong commercial governance, effective cost control, and high-quality reporting. You will play a crucial role in supporting project delivery while protecting commercial interests and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial & Contractual Management

• Oversee contract administration, ensuring obligations are met and risks are mitigated.
• Lead commercial reviews, valuations, and applications for payment.
• Manage change control processes, including identification, evaluation, and agreement of variations.
• Administer and settle subcontractor accounts, ensuring fair and timely commercial resolution.

• Provide accurate and timely commercial reporting, forecasts, and cost/value reconciliation.
• Monitor project performance against budgets, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Support the preparation of monthly commercial dashboards and project review information.

• Identify, assess, and manage commercial and contractual risks.
• Recommend mitigation strategies and advise on the commercial implications of project decisions.

About You

You will bring:

• Proven experience in commercial management within utilities, energy, substations, civil engineering, or related infrastructure sectors.
• Strong understanding of NEC or similar contract suites.
• Excellent commercial judgement, negotiation ability, and communication skills.
• A proactive approach to risk management and cost control.
• Strong stakeholder‑management skills and a collaborative working style.

About Us

Laing O'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia. Certainty, reliability, quality - this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term conditions and disabilities through the 'Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process. We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email [e-mail].