Commercial Manager

Balfour Beatty plc; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Smart working up to 40% remote

25 days annual leave

Pension and incentive schemes

Diversity and inclusion focus

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc is seeking a Commercial Manager for the Regional Civils team in Colchester to lead commercial activities on the BTNO project, ensuring value creation, risk management and governance across the project lifecycle.

You will drive commercial strategies, manage subcontractors, forecasts and cash generation, and coordinate with stakeholders to deliver strong commercial outcomes in a high-profile infrastructure programme.

Qualifications

• Senior commercial leadership experience in construction or civil engineering.
• Experience leading commercial teams and delivering business outcomes.
• Expertise in contract administration, risk management, margin improvement and value creation.

Responsibilities

• Lead all commercial activities across civils workstreams for the BTNO project.
• Drive value recovery and cost reduction while managing subcontractors.
• Provide expert leadership, troubleshoot issues, and secure strong commercial returns.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies to maximise value and cash generation.
• Manage cash flow, forecasting, risk management, and governance for the project.
• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial risks and escalate issues as needed.
• Lead commercial forecasting and provide insights impacting profitability.
• Collaborate with consultants to improve margins and outcomes.
• Support delivery teams with contract administration including warranties.
• Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders to meet client requirements.
• Promote best practice and continuous improvement across the function.
• Ensure governance processes and approval gateways are followed.
• Participate in monthly commercial reviews and bid/tender activities.

Skills

Senior commercial leadership

Contract administration

Risk management

Forecasting

Value creation

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Quantity Surveying or Construction Management degree

Professional membership (RICS/CICES/CIOB) desirable

Tools

NA

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty has an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Manager to join our Regional Civils team based in Colchester, playing a pivotal role on the landmark Bramford to Twinstead Network Reinforcement (BTNO) project. This major infrastructure programme will deliver 28km of new 400kV transmission infrastructure and a significant substation upgrade, helping to strengthen and future-proof the National Grid.

Reporting into the Head of Commercial and Area Commercial Director, you will provide strategic commercial leadership across the project lifecycle, ensuring the successful delivery of commercial objectives, contractual obligations and business performance targets. Acting as the focal point for all commercial matters, you will work closely with project teams to drive value creation, manage risk, maximise cash generation, and provide robust commercial governance and assurance. This is a high-profile opportunity to influence the success of a critical infrastructure project while contributing to the wider performance of Balfour Beatty's Regional Civils business.

What you'll be doing

• Lead all commercial activities across the civils workstreams of the BTNO project, acting as the focal point for day-to-day commercial matters.
• Drive value recovery, cost reduction initiatives, and the effective commercial management of subcontractors.
• Provide expert commercial leadership, troubleshooting complex issues and supporting project teams to achieve the best possible commercial outcomes.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies that maximise value creation and secure strong commercial returns for the business.
• Manage project commercial performance, including cash flow, margin improvement, forecasting, and risk management.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial risks, ensuring issues are escalated appropriately and potential disputes are proactively managed.
• Lead accurate commercial forecasting and provide insight into issues that could impact project profitability and performance.
• Appoint, manage, and collaborate with consultant teams to improve project margins and commercial outcomes.
• Support project delivery teams in administering contracts, including warranties, and ensuring contractual obligations are effectively managed.
• Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders, ensuring projects are delivered in line with client requirements and expectations.
• Promote best practice and innovation across the commercial function, driving continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure Balfour Beatty's Minimum Commercial Expectations, governance processes, and approval gateways are consistently applied.
• Attend and contribute to monthly commercial reviews, project meetings, and business performance discussions.
• Support bid and tender activities, undertaking commercial reviews and advising on contract and risk management matters.
• Carry out commercial audits and provide robust reporting to support effective decision-making and governance.
• Lead, develop, and support commercial team members, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Champion Balfour Beatty's Values, maintain a relentless focus on Zero Harm, and support delivery of the CSUK Sustainability Roadmap.

Who we're looking for

• Proven experience in a senior commercial leadership role within the construction or civil engineering sector.
• A strong track record of managing and developing commercial teams whilst delivering successful business outcomes.
• Extensive commercial management expertise, including contract administration, risk management, margin improvement, and value creation.
• Demonstrable ability to lead, influence, and engage with project teams, clients, subcontractors, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience driving performance, forecasting, and maximising project profitability.
• Proven ability to identify, manage, and mitigate commercial risks while protecting the interests of the business.
• Experience of working on large-scale infrastructure or major civils projects, with utility or energy sector experience advantageous.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge and influence at all levels.
• A proactive and collaborative leadership style, with a passion for driving best practice and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing contracts, supply chains, and subcontractor relationships within a complex project environment.
• A relevant degree or professional qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional membership of RICS, CICES, CIOB, or a similar recognised institution is desirable.
• A commitment to Balfour Beatty's Values, Zero Harm culture, and sustainability objectives.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

With a strong track record of delivery, our civils teams connect communities through infrastructure projects in the highways, public realm, rail, flood and coastal defence, and industrial sectors across England and Wales.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at [e-mail]