Commercial Manager

Vital Energi; Blackburn, Glasgow; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or car allowance

Pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

25 days' annual leave plus 8 bank hols

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

Vital Energi is recruiting a Project Commercial Manager for a major £110m project. The role leads the project commercial team, ensuring robust financial management, contractual compliance and risk mitigation to maximise profitability.

A site presence is required, around 3 days per week in West Sussex, with strong leadership of procurement, forecasting and final accounts. You will work under the Head of Commercial, delivering value through effective cost control, cash collection, and strategic

Qualifications

• Significant commercial management experience within construction, engineering, energy or infrastructure.
• Proven track record managing commercial performance of major projects and leading teams.
• Strong knowledge of NEC, JCT and other contract forms; experience managing claims, variations and final accounts.
• Excellent understanding of cost management, forecasting, CVRs, cash flow, budgeting and financial reporting.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Commercially astute with proactive risk and opportunity management.
• Experience in procurement, subcontract management and supply chain engagement.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and commercial management systems.
• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying or Commercial Management (preferred).
• Professional membership with RICS, CIOB, ICES or equivalent (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of major projects or portfolios to meet financial and commercial objectives.
• Own project profitability through budgeting, forecasting, cost control, cash flow and reporting.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies; manage variations, claims, change control and risks.
• Build strong client relationships; lead negotiations and ensure timely payment and final accounts.
• Oversee procurement and supply chain to ensure robust subcontract terms and performance.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks while maximizing opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with policies, governance procedures and contractual obligations.
• Mentor and develop the commercial team; foster a high-performing culture.
• Collaborate with operations to provide commercial insight for decision-making.
• Support mobilisation and handover from pre-construction to delivery.

Skills

Commercial management

Project leadership

NEC contracts

Forecasting

Cost control

Cash flow

Negotiation

Procurement

Stakeholder management

MS Office

Education

Quantity Surveying degree

Commercial Management degree

Tools

MS Office

Commercial management systems

Job description

Project Commercial Manager – Gatwick

Would you like to be part of Vital Energi's 5-Year Strategy of Growth?

Due to our continuing success, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager to join us working on a major £110m project.

Within this role, you will provide senior commercial leadership across an allocated major project, ensuring robust financial management, contractual compliance and effective management of commercial risk and opportunity.

Working under the direction of the Head of Commercial, the Project Commercial Manager will lead the project commercial team and work closely with operational, procurement, design and project delivery functions to maximise profitability, protect Vital Energi’s contractual position and support the successful delivery of projects.

The role will have overall responsibility for project-level commercial performance from contract handover through delivery, completion and final account, including forecasting, change management, supply chain management, cash collection and dispute avoidance.

Please note that for this role a site presence will be required, around 3 days per week on site in West Sussex.

Who are Vital Energi?

Vital Energi is a leading provider of renewable energy infrastructure and systems to the public and private sectors. We are supporting Hospitals, Universities, New Build developments, Towns and Cities as well as Industrial and Commercial clients to decarbonise their buildings.

We have and continue to work on ground-breaking projects throughout the UK which are supporting the UK’s Net Zero targets, such as the recently announced £1 billion low-carbon infrastructure project for Westminster.

With plans to double our headcount over the coming years, supported by offices opening in new locations across the country and our strong investment pipeline, coupled with our expansion into new markets such as industrial power generation with our very own Energy-from-Waste facility, there is no better time to join the team here at Vital Energi.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead the commercial management of major projects or project portfolios, ensuring successful delivery against financial and commercial objectives.
• Take ownership of project profitability through effective budgeting, forecasting, cost control, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
• Develop and implement commercial and contractual strategies, managing variations, claims, change control, and contractual risk.
• Build and maintain strong commercial relationships with clients, leading negotiations and ensuring timely payment and successful final account settlement.
• Oversee procurement activities and supply chain management, ensuring robust subcontract agreements and effective commercial performance.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate commercial risks while maximising opportunities to improve project outcomes and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, commercial governance procedures, and contractual obligations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop commercial teams, creating a high-performing and commercially focused culture.
• Collaborate with operational and project delivery teams to provide commercial insight and support strategic decision-making.
• Support project mobilisation and handover activities, ensuring effective transition from pre-construction through to project delivery.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused professional with a proven track record in commercial management within the construction, infrastructure or civil engineering sectors.

Skills, Experience & Competencies

• Significant commercial management experience within the construction, engineering, energy, or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven success managing the commercial performance of major projects and leading high-performing commercial teams.
• Strong knowledge of NEC, JCT, and other forms of contract, with experience managing claims, variations, and final accounts.
• Excellent understanding of cost management, forecasting, CVRs, cash flow, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Commercially astute, with a proactive approach to managing risk, opportunity, and project profitability.
• Experience in procurement, subcontract management, and supply chain engagement.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and commercial management systems.
• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related discipline (preferred).
• Professional membership with RICS, CIOB, ICES, or equivalent (preferred).

Key Attributes

• Strong commercial judgement and decision-making ability.
• Effective leader with experience developing and mentoring teams.
• Confident communicator able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Organised, resilient, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative, proactive, and focused on delivering successful commercial outcomes.

The Package

• Attractive salary.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Pension scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• 25 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• Cycle to Work scheme and additional employee benefits.

The Company is opposed to all forms of discrimination and will select for employment, training and promotion based solely on suitability for the role and/or merit. It is Company policy that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, age, ethnic or national origin, political affiliation, religious belief, marital status, or physical disability, nor is disadvantaged by any unjustifiable conditions or requirements.

Applicants must have the unrestricted and ongoing right to work in the UK for the duration of employment without the need for sponsorship. Due to the nature of this role, we are unable to support visa sponsorship or employ individuals with time-limited permission or restrictions attached to their right to work in the UK.