Commercial Manager

Network Rail; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job description

Overview

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

Vacancy: Commercial Manager

Location: York, Derby, Manchester or London

Salary: £43,588 to £51,719 per annum (+£3200 for London based roles)

Role Type: Permanent, Full time

Please note there are multiple roles available

Are you ready to make a difference in people’s lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We’re an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others.

We’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we’re committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

At Network Rail you will also have a clear development path with access to training and additional qualifications.

In joining Network Rail, you’re not only joining an organisation with a vital role to play for the country, but also a team of more than 40,000 people, and a business dedicated to being one of Britain’s best employers.

Benefits

Network Rail Benefits – In addition to the above, you can enjoy a fantastic range of employee benefits, such as:

• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
• 75% discount on rail travel for you and your family
• 75% subsidised Season Ticket for work travel (includes Underground)
• A range of pension options
• Annual Performance Related Pay package
• Flexible and agile working arrangements
• Healthcare package
• Discounts on shopping
• Discounted Gym memberships and much more

For the full range of benefits please note the information provided in the candidate pack after applying.

Brief Description

In the Eastern Region Commercial Directorate, we are looking for talented individuals to join our growing team and work alongside a range of business units and across a varied and large portfolio. There are opportunities to support and lead Commercial activities on major projects and programmes, which deliver some of the most exciting and innovative projects in UK infrastructure.

The Eastern Region Commercial Team prides itself on continuous improvement and a learning culture, with opportunities for career development for everyone, where individuals with the right skills, enthusiasm and behaviours can make a real impact to the commercial, supply chain and governance approaches we take in Eastern Region. Furthermore, we are part of the solution to addressing wider industry targets in our business, such as sustainable supply chains or carbon net zero targets, therefore no one day need be the same.

In the Commercial Manager role, you will provide post-contract commercial management of medium value/medium risk activity and support pre-contract activity within the project delivery team’s scope of work, providing specialist commercial advice, guidance and recommendations to mitigate commercial risks.

View the candidate pack for further information on the Commercial Team and Application Process.

Key Accountabilities

• Support programme and project teams in monitoring for breaches of compliance with Network Rail Corporate governance and rules
• Manage cost reporting of all allocated projects within the Network Rail reporting framework including Cost Forecasting, Anticipated Final Cost, Cost of Work Done, Gross Billing and Current Contract Value
• Monitor, manage and report on all commercial aspects of allocated projects, flagging issues and proposing mitigation actions
• Monitor awareness of all activities on allocated projects to influence decision making from a commercial perspective
• Review contractor delivery; lead valuation of medium value/medium risk contracts and attend progress meetings to influence contractor’s commercial behaviours
• Manage assessment and valuation of contractor’s applications and processing of payment certification in accordance with Network Rail processes
• Challenge cost elements, audit where appropriate and ensure valuations align with site progress
• Provide pro-active advice on change, produce required documentation for approval in line with authority levels
• Produce applications for payment/invoices to outside clients with supporting documentation
• Identify and advise on all commercial risk/claim events
• Provide ad-hoc management information and analysis to promote informed decision-making
• Produce commercial correspondence and contractual notices as required
• Check commercial records are retained and archived upon close out
• Undertake final account settlements and internal reconciliation to project close-out
• Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating
• Support pre and post contract procurement activities as appropriate
• Provide support to estimating resources with guidance on project scale/scope
• Support negotiation of prices under existing contracts/framework agreements and participate in related risk assessment/workshops

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects
• Demonstrable relevant experience
• Good understanding of railway and construction industry forms of contract
• Good understanding of the construction/railway industry
• Good negotiation skills

Desirable

• Educated to degree standard in related subject
• Membership of a relevant professional institute, chartered status
• Significant experience in a generalist commercial environment
• Awareness of industry issues

Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence of applicable experience as a condition of employment.

Internal and External applications: Network Rail welcomes applications from all candidates and is an inclusive employer. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. If you require adjustments or modifications, please contact the Resourcing partner listed in the job posting.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion We are a Disability Confident Leader employer and are committed to creating an open, inclusive workplace.

We positively embrace flexible working and understand that people may wish to balance work with family and home life.

How to apply: Click apply and login to Employee Self Service to submit your CV. If you do not have an Oracle account, email your CV to the provided contact address with the IRC vacancy reference.

Pay and Government Compliance: Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework. Salary is within the advertised range. Pre-employment checks are required, including a basic criminal record check, identity verification, right to work in the UK and employment history checks. All offers are conditional on satisfactory checks.

Closing date: 8th October 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.