Commercial Manager

Network Rail; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Train discounts

Job summary

Network Rail in London is seeking a Commercial Manager to provide commercial expertise across a portfolio of investment projects in the Southern Region. You will work with project teams to ensure robust costs, forecasts, risks and commercial governance, delivering value for money and successful outcomes.

The role requires experience in commercial management, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge of railway/construction contracts.

Qualifications

• Experience of commercially managing investment projects.
• Good understanding of railway and/or construction industry forms of contract.
• Awareness of issues affecting railway and construction sectors.

Responsibilities

• Manage, monitor and report on the commercial performance of allocated projects.
• Review project costs, forecasts, anticipated final costs, work completed, billing and contract values.
• Identify commercial risks, claims and emerging issues, recommending mitigation actions.
• Assess contractor applications and valuations against contractual entitlement and actual progress.
• Support Project Managers in managing changes to contract and scope with commercial guidance.
• Build strong relationships with contractors while maintaining robust commercial challenge.
• Support procurement, estimating and pre-contract activities.
• Participate in price and target-cost negotiations, risk assessments and value management.
• Manage final accounts and commercial reconciliation through to close-out.
• Maintain accurate commercial records and contractual correspondence.
• Provide management information and commercial insight to support decisions.
• Contribute to cost analysis, efficiencies, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Commercial management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Cost control

Risk management

Education

Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject

Job description

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.

Safe behaviouris a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .

We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered

Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days

Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)

Interest‑free travel loan for train and car park season tickets

Volunteer leave to make a positive impact

About the role

Do you have strong commercial experience and the confidence to influence decisions, manage risk and challenge costs effectively?

We're looking for a Commercial Manager to provide commercial expertise across a portfolio of investment projects within the Southern Region.

Working closely with project and programme teams, you'll provide specialist commercial advice throughout the project lifecycle. You'll help ensure contracts are managed effectively, costs and forecasts are robust, risks are identified early, and project teams have the commercial insight they need to make informed decisions.

This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact, combining strong commercial governance with collaborative working to help projects deliver value for money and successful outcomes.

The role

As Commercial Manager, you will:

• Manage, monitor and report on the commercial performance of allocated projects.
• Review project costs, forecasts, anticipated final costs, work completed, billing and contract values.
• Identify commercial risks, claims and emerging issues, recommending appropriate mitigation and corrective action.
• Assess contractor applications and valuations against contractual entitlement and actual project progress.
• Support Project Managers in managing changes to contract and scope, ensuring appropriate commercial advice and documentation are provided.
• Build effective working relationships with contractors while maintaining robust and constructive commercial challenge.
• Support procurement, estimating and pre-contract activities.
• Participate in price and target‑cost negotiations, risk assessments and value‑management activities.
• Manage final accounts and commercial reconciliation through to project close‑out.
• Maintain accurate commercial records and contractual correspondence.
• Provide clear management information, analysis and commercial insight to support effective decision‑making.
• Contribute to cost analysis, efficiencies, continuous improvement and value for money.

Your experience and skills

What we're looking for

You'll bring:

Demonstrable experience of commercially managing investment projects.

Strong and relevant commercial experience.

A good understanding of railway and/or construction industry forms of contract.

A good understanding of the construction and/or railway industry.

Effective negotiation and stakeholder‑management skills.

It would also be beneficial if you have:

A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.

Membership of a relevant professional institute and/or chartered status.

Significant experience within a broad commercial environment.

Awareness of current issues affecting the railway and construction sectors.

Salary: Band 4C, £43,588 - £53,167 per annum (Experience dependent)
Location: London Puddle Dock / Blackfriars, 1 Puddle Dock, Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 3DS
Contract:Permanent
Working pattern:Hybrid working, with three days per week in the office
Closing date:06 November 2026

Late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews

Interviews will be held in person at London Puddle Dock, 1 Puddle Dock, Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 3DS. Interview times will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates.

Safe behaviouris a requirement of working for Network Rail.Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision

Network Rail positively embraces flexible working recognising that employees may wish to balance work and family/home life.

Small actions lead to big impact. The way we collect and use data helps keep our teams safe and our network resilient. Find out more in this short video: Why we need diversity data

For an informal conversation about the role and the opportunities within the Southern Region, please contact:

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

Closing Date:

06-NOV-2026

Job Category:

Finance

Function:

Southern Region

Organisation:

CL Contracts and Procurement Region (338786) G1