Commercial Manager

3D Personnel LTD; Lichfield; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project consultancy is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to oversee the commercial management of complex, regulated water and utilities infrastructure projects. This role involves managing all commercial aspects, leading contractor approvals, providing expert advice on change control, and ensuring compliance with governance standards. The successful candidate will have strong experience in the utilities sector and be knowledgeable in NEC and JCT contracts. Regular on-site presence is required as part of a dynamic project environment.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified or equivalent experience.
• Chartered or working towards Chartership RICS preferred.
• Strong commercial management experience within water utilities, rail, or major infrastructure projects.
• Experience in client-facing consultancy or principal contractor roles.
• Confident managing NEC and/or JCT contracts and complex supply chains.
• Comfortable working in a project-led, office-based environment with regular on-site presence.

Responsibilities

• Manage, monitor, and report on all commercial aspects of utilities infrastructure projects.
• Lead commercial reviews, valuations, and approvals for high value contractor applications.
• Provide expert advice on change control and commercial risk mitigation.
• Prepare and manage payment applications and attend valuation meetings.
• Lead final account settlements and project closeouts within agreed timescales.
• Support cost analysis and improvement of estimating processes.
• Assist with pre-contract procurement activities and negotiations.
• Provide contract and procurement advice to project teams.
• Oversee cost estimates and subcontract management.
• Identify and mitigate commercial and contractual risks.
• Provide strategic commercial input to senior stakeholders.

Job description

I am currently recruiting for an experienced Commercial Manager to support a major programme of regulated water and utilities infrastructure works, delivered through a growing award winning project consultancy.

This is a highly project focused role offering the opportunity to be embedded within a long term utilities client environment, supporting the commercial management of complex high value infrastructure projects across the full project lifecycle.

The Project

You will be working on a portfolio of regulated water and utilities infrastructure projects, supporting both pre and post contract commercial activities. The work includes capital investment programmes, asset upgrades and long term infrastructure improvements delivered within a regulated environment.

Projects are fast paced and technically complex, requiring strong commercial governance, supply chain management and close collaboration with client and delivery teams.

The role will be based from the Tamworth office 3 to 4 days per week, reflecting the need for hands on involvement and regular engagement with the wider project and commercial teams. The remaining time will be split between home working and project sites depending on requirements.

The Role

As Commercial Manager you will take responsibility for the end to end commercial management of assigned projects and programmes. You will work closely with delivery teams, supply chain partners and senior stakeholders to ensure commercial controls are robust, risks are managed proactively and value is maximised throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage monitor and report on all commercial aspects of utilities infrastructure projects in line with governance and cost reporting requirements
• Lead commercial reviews valuations and approvals for high value and high risk contractor applications
• Provide expert advice on change control scope changes and commercial risk mitigation
• Prepare and manage payment applications and invoices attend valuation meetings and issue contractual correspondence and notices
• Lead final account settlements and project close outs within agreed timescales
• Support cost analysis benchmarking and continuous improvement of estimating processes
• Assist with pre contract procurement activities negotiations and contract pricing
• Provide NEC and JCT contract and procurement advice to project teams
• Oversee cost estimates procurement subcontract management forecasting and variance analysis
• Manage change events final accounts and supply chain relationships
• Identify and mitigate commercial and contractual risks including disputes and disallowed costs
• Provide strategic commercial input to senior stakeholders and Project Boards

About You

• Degree qualified or equivalent experience
• Chartered or working towards Chartership RICS preferred
• Strong commercial management experience within water utilities rail or major infrastructure projects
• Experience in client facing consultancy or principal contractor roles
• Confident managing NEC and or JCT contracts and complex supply chains
• Comfortable working in a project led office based environment with regular on site presence