Commercial Manager

Network Rail; Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Contributory pension schemes

Rail season tickets discount

Season ticket loan

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Network Rail is building a strong commercial capability across England, delivering major investment projects and supporting railway operations.

The Commercial Managers in our talent pool will help manage project costs, contracts and commercial risk, while working with project teams, procurement and contractors to optimise value for passengers and taxpayers. You may be placed on either permanent or fixed-term opportunities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects.
• Strong understanding of railway and construction contracts.
• Excellent negotiation and leadership across the commercial lifecycle.
• Degree in related subject; professional institute membership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage project costs, contracts, and commercial risk.
• Lead negotiations and contractor performance reviews.
• Ensure governance and compliance across the lifecycle.
• Provide commercial support to project teams and procurement.
• Forecasting, reporting, valuations, change control, and final accounts.

Skills

Contract management

Commercial risk

Cost forecasting

Valuations

Negotiation

Rail industry knowledge

Stakeholder management

Project lifecycle

Education

Degree in related subject

Professional institute membership

Tools

NEC4

Job description

Looking to take the next step in your commercial career? We have launched this talent pool for Commercial Managers to help deliver some of the railway's most important investment projects across England. You'll play a central role in managing project costs, contracts, commercial risk and contractor performance, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and deliver value for passengers and taxpayers. 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, to smaller-scale, higher volume reactive works which keep the railway moving and support business-critical activities. This is a fantastic opportunity to work on complex infrastructure programmes while developing your commercial expertise within one of the UK's largest infrastructure organisations. While there may be specific role-related duties not listed here, in general, you'll provide commercial support throughout the project lifecycle, managing forecasting, reporting, valuations, contract administration, change control and final account settlement activities. Working closely with project teams, contractors and procurement colleagues, you'll help identify risks and opportunities, challenge assumptions, support commercial decision-making and ensure strong governance and compliance standards are maintained. You'll also contribute to negotiations, contractor performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives that drive efficiency and value across the business. Some roles are based within our Capital Delivery Programmes functions and require experience of managing NEC and rail supply chain contracts. These roles provide commercial leadership across the full contract lifecycle, including procurement, NEC4 contract administration and commercial governance.

North West & Central (NW&C), one of Network Rail's largest devolved regions, is strengthening its Commercial team at a pivotal time for the railway. Spanning the West Coast mainline, NW&C region plays a leading role in shaping, managing and delivering some of the most high-profile infrastructure projects across England.

You can learn more about North West & Central Region here: North West & Central region - Network Rail.

We're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone.

We are committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably.

Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail.

Our vision

Simpler, better, greener. We own, operate, maintain and develop the railway infrastructure in England, Scotland and Wales. That's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We manage 20 of the country's largest stations. The rest – over 2,500 – are run by the train operating companies.

Our purpose and role

Our purpose is to connect people and goods with where they need to be. We support our country's economic prosperity and contribute to the objectives of the UK and Scottish Governments. Our role is to run a safe, reliable and efficient rail network and our vision is to deliver a simpler, better, greener railway for our customers and communities. We aim to deliver a railway that is safer, more reliable and more efficient than ever before, to help build a thriving, sustainable economy. Britain's railway does more than transport passengers and goods. It brings people and businesses closer together, which creates new jobs, opens up new markets and stimulates economic growth. We want to provide the best possible service to everyone who relies on the railway – passengers, train operating companies and businesses nationwide. Rail is vital to Britain's future. More to us than meets the eye.

Our Culture

We empower our people to always be safe. To care about the railway, its users and each other, and put teamwork at the heart of all that we do.

Salary: £43,588 - £53,167 depending on experience.

Salary: £43,588 - £53,167 depending on experience.

Type

This talent pool will cover both permanent and fixed-term opportunities.

Candidates should be comfortable with occasional travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a large volume of applications is received. Your details will be kept on record for a maximum of 6 months, unless express consent is received to keep them longer. Network Rail will contact you for this consent when appropriate.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave – with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
• Access to a range of contributory pension schemes
• The potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
• Privileged staff travel – Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
• We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
• A 35-hour‑per‑week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work‑life balance
• Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family‑friendly support
• Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
• 5 days of paid volunteering leave
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community

Responsibilities

• 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, Educated to degree standard in related subject Membership of a relevant professional institute, chartered status Significant experience of working within a generalist commercial environment Awareness of industry issues, The ideal Commercial Manager will be a highly capable commercial professional with experience in contract management, procurement, commercial strategy and risk management within a project or programme environment. They will possess strong commercial acumen, excellent negotiation skills and the ability to provide confident leadership across all aspects of the commercial lifecycle to ensure value for money while protecting and enhancing the organisation's commercial position. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who can analyse complex issues, make informed decisions and influence stakeholders at all levels. They will have a proven track record of managing contractual performance, driving cost efficiency, resolving commercial challenges and delivering successful outcomes in a collaborative manner.