Commercial Manager (12-15 month FTC/secondment opportunity)

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Swindon; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A major railway organisation is seeking an individual to provide post-contract commercial management. The role involves supporting project teams, managing cost reporting, and providing advice on changes. Requires strong commercial management experience and good understanding of the railway industry. This is a fixed term contract opportunity located in Swindon, offering a salary between £43,588 to £51,719 per annum.

Benefits

Privileged staff travel discounts

Healthcare offers

Cycle to work scheme

Pension schemes

Work-life balance initiatives

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects.
• Good understanding of the railway and construction industry.
• Ability to influence decision making from a commercial perspective.

Responsibilities

• Support programme and project teams in monitoring compliance.
• Manage cost reporting for all allocated projects.
• Provide pro-active advice on all changes and recommendations.

Skills

Commercial management

Negotiation skills

Understanding of railway industry contracts

Risk management

Education

Degree in related subject

Membership of a relevant professional institute

Job description

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network. Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
• GWR ticket alliance - Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network.
• Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
• A range of Pension schemes to choose from
• Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, which will be 60% office based, and enhanced family friendly support.
• 5 days paid volunteering leave.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.

In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.

To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here.

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here

Brief Description

To 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.

About the role (External)

1. Support the programme and project teams in monitoring for breaches of compliance with Network Rail Corporate governance and rules in a timely manner.
2. 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.
3. Monitor, manage and report on all commercial aspects of allocated projects, flagging issues and proposing mitigation actions at the earliest opportunity to Project Manager and/or Programme Manager (functional reporting line) and/or Senior Commercial Manager.
4. Monitor awareness of all activities on allocated projects in order to influence decision making from a commercial perspective. Review contractor delivery; including leading valuation of medium value/medium risk contracts and attending all progress meetings to actively influence contractor's commercial behaviours, delivery and activity.
5. Manage assessment and valuation of contractor's applications and processing of payment certification in accordance with Network Rail processes, contractual terms and conditions and commensurate with contractual entitlement. Challenge cost elements, audit where appropriate and check valuations are consistent with agreed site progress.
6. Lead Earned value analysis to maintain rigorous control over the project's Anticipated Final Cost (AFC).
7. Provide pro-active advice and guidance to Project Managers on all change including proposed scope changes, recommending appropriate action in accordance with Network Rail change control systems and produce all required documentation for approval in accordance with levels of delegated authority, including comparative estimates where required, in a timely manner.
8. Produce applications for payment/invoices to outside clients in accordance with relevant funding agreements, including supporting documentation as appropriate.
9. Identify and advise on all commercial risk/claim events.
10. Provide ad-hoc management information and analysis to promote informed decision-making.
11. Produce appropriate commercial correspondence and contractual notices for issue in accordance with contractual conditions. Check commercial records are retained and archived properly upon close out.
12. Undertake final account settlements and internal reconciliation to project close-out as per the project authority, project plan and within agreed timescales.
13. Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating by undertaking cost analysis of completed projects and feedback as per Cost Allocation Feedback process.
14. Support pre and post contract procurement activities as appropriate.
15. Provide support to estimating resources, offering guidance and advice on project scale/scope as required.
16. Support the negotiation of all prices under existing contracts/framework agreements (including the negotiation of target costs) and fully participate in the associated quantitative risk assessment and value management workshops, as required.

You will ideally have (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

What could set you apart (Desirable)

• 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

Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Let us decide.

How to apply (External)

Salary: £43,588 to £51,719 per annum.

Closing date: 2nd October 2025.

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click 'apply now' to apply.

Please note this is a 12-18 month fixed term contract opportunity.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We're constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we're working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your application or interview please contact Wales&[e-mail] or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion (sharepoint.com) . For all other support please contact your HR Business Partner.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information.

Some of our jobs require that candidates who receive a conditional offer undergo and pass a face-to-face drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.