Commercial Manager

Unite Students; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

25 days holiday + holiday buying

Generous pension 5%-11%

Healthcare plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing platform

Gym benefit

Family leave

Job summary

Unite Students is recruiting a Commercial Manager to join our London-based Capital Projects Team. You will provide commercial input across asset management and lifecycle works, handling estimates, budgeting, reporting, and procurement support for main contractors.

Based in our London office, you will report to the Head of Commercial and work across projects from inception to completion, driving cost control and value engineering while collaborating with stakeholders countrywide.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a Quantity Surveying / Commercial management role.
• Proven track record with large, complex schemes and sustainability knowledge.
• Desirable professional qualification (RICS/CIOB) or working towards.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial input into Capital Projects, including cost plans and budgeting.
• Manage project cost plan from inception to practical completion.
• Oversee procurement, contracts, and supply chain relationships.
• Ensure accurate cost reporting, value engineering and cash flows.
• Agree final accounts in line with board direction.
• Support on cost benchmarking and resolution of legacy issues.

Skills

Quantity Surveying

Commercial management

Negotiation

Contract negotiation

Budget control

Education

RICS or CIOB qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

The Role

Unite Students have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager.

Based in our London office and reporting into the Head of Commercial, the Commercial Manager will provide commercial input into projects undertaken by the Capital Projects Team, primarily including asset management initiatives and lifecycle works. Duties will include estimating, benchmarking, inflation forecasting, budgetary control and reporting, and managing all financial aspects from inception through to practical completion. The role will also involve supporting in the procurement of main contractors, contract negotiation and supply chain management.

The Role

Unite Students have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Commercial Manager.

Based in our London office and reporting into the Head of Commercial, the Commercial Manager will provide commercial input into projects undertaken by the Capital Projects Team, primarily including asset management initiatives and lifecycle works. Duties will include estimating, benchmarking, inflation forecasting, budgetary control and reporting, and managing all financial aspects from inception through to practical completion. The role will also involve supporting in the procurement of main contractors, contract negotiation and supply chain management.

What You`ll Be Doing

• Providing initial cost advice to aid in the assessment of potential PBSA / AMI opportunities.
• Preparing accurate / detailed cost plans to establish the project budget.
• Managing the project cost plan from inception, through contract award, to practical completion.
• Ensure risks have been considered / managed and costs are accurate to inform the funding request
• Being commercially responsible for on-site schemes, including cost reporting, value engineering, cash flows, dispute resolution, cost control and account management.
• Overseeing the production of tender documentation and managing contractor and supply chain relationships.
• Negotiating and overseeing construction contracts, retentions, bonds, warranties and other contractual documents.
• Agreeing final account in line with the Board approved level
• Assisting in cost benchmarking analysis on all projects delivered by the team.
• Supporting the resolution of legacy issues, defects and claims.
• Role modelling Unite Students` values and helping to deliver business initiatives such as implementing net zero carbon initiatives, diversity and inclusion, and Homes for Success.

What We`re Looking for in You

• Significant experience in a Quantity Surveying / Commercial management role, from a contractor, client or consultant background
• A proven track record in commercial management covering large, complex schemes and knowledge of sustainability practices within the construction industry
• RICS or CIOB qualified or working towards (desirable).
• Demonstrable strong negotiation, influencing and communication skills, with a willingness to participate and present in meetings at various levels.
• A quick learner who demonstrates a capability and willingness to acquire and apply new skills.
• Ability to build relationships and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to travel throughout the UK with a full driving licence.

What You`ll Get in Return

• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company`s success
• 25 days` paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
• A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is the UK`s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 23 leading university towns and cities, with 70,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone

We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.

We are US.