Commercial Manager (PMCM Rail)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

WSP My Hour

Gymflex scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Chartership support

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Commercial Manager (Rail) to join our PMCM Rail team in the UK. You will support delivery of major rail programmes, drive commercial governance, manage budgets and procurement, and work with clients, suppliers and delivery partners to optimise commercial performance throughout the project lifecycle.

The role offers hybrid working with a strong emphasis on collaboration across client offices and project sites, and opportunities to develop expertise with

Qualifications

• A degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• Professional accreditation, MRICS or MCIOB, or working towards it.
• Experience in commercial management within rail or infrastructure.
• Experience delivering infrastructure projects in client, contractor or consultancy environments.
• Knowledge of Network Rail, HS2, TfGM or similar rail bodies is advantageous.
• Track record of achieving commercial outcomes on infrastructure projects.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in commercial management systems, tools and software.
• Understanding NEC3 and NEC4 contracts and commercial management principles.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving, risk management and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, providing commercial support and advice.
• Prepare monthly commercial, cost and risk reports to support project decision-making.
• Support commercial management activities in line with contractual requirements and client governance processes.
• Manage project budgets, cost forecasting, tracking and reporting activities.
• Support procurement activities, including reviewing and negotiating commercial terms with suppliers and contractors.
• Contribute to effective supply chain management, promoting collaboration and positive working relationships.
• Ensure compliance with client commercial procedures and standards.
• Review project expenditure, invoices and commercial submissions.
• Participate in commercial meetings with contractors, suppliers and delivery partners.
• Administer contracts throughout the project lifecycle, from award through to final close-out.
• Support the management of change events, including variations, claims and compensation events.
• Monitor contract performance and assist with resolving commercial issues and contractual correspondence.
• Undertake financial forecasting and support risk identification and mitigation activities.
• Support resource planning to help achieve commercial and programme objectives.
• Identify and manage commercial risks, supporting early warning processes and risk reduction activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

NEC3/NEC4 contracts knowledge

Risk management

Commercial management systems

Procurement

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying or related

MRICS/MCIOB accreditation

Tools

Commercial management software

Job description

Job Description

Commercial Manager (Rail) – PMCM Rail What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role…

We are looking for a Commercial Manager to join our growing PMCM Rail team, supporting the successful delivery of some of the UK’s most significant rail and transport programmes. As a Commercial Manager, you will play a key role in helping our clients deliver complex rail projects of regional and national importance. Working within client organisations and integrated delivery teams, you’ll support robust commercial governance, financial control and risk management across multi-disciplinary programmes. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially focused professional with experience in the rail or wider infrastructure sector who is looking to further develop their expertise in a client-facing environment. You’ll work alongside client Project Managers, suppliers, contractors and delivery partners, helping to drive commercial performance from project initiation through to completion. At WSP, no two days are the same. You could be reviewing project budgets and cost forecasts, supporting procurement activities, advising on commercial strategy, managing change events, or helping resolve contractual issues on major infrastructure programmes. You'll have the opportunity to build strong stakeholder relationships, take ownership of key commercial activities and contribute directly to successful project outcomes. Our PMCM Rail team works across a diverse portfolio of programmes for clients including rail infrastructure owners, transport authorities and major project delivery organisations. Experience with organisations such as Network Rail, HS2, TfGM or similar rail delivery bodies would be highly beneficial. We believe the best solutions are created through collaboration. You'll work flexibly across WSP offices, client offices and project sites while benefiting from a hybrid working approach that supports both client engagement and work-life balance.

In This Role, You Will

• Develop and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, providing commercial support and advice.
• Prepare monthly commercial, cost and risk reports to support project decision-making.
• Support commercial management activities in line with contractual requirements and client governance processes.
• Manage project budgets, cost forecasting, tracking and reporting activities.
• Support procurement activities, including reviewing and negotiating commercial terms with suppliers and contractors.
• Contribute to effective supply chain management, promoting collaboration and positive working relationships.
• Ensure compliance with client commercial procedures and standards.
• Review project expenditure, invoices and commercial submissions.
• Participate in commercial meetings with contractors, suppliers and delivery partners.
• Administer contracts throughout the project lifecycle, from award through to final close-out.
• Support the management of change events, including variations, claims and compensation events.
• Monitor contract performance and assist with resolving commercial issues and contractual correspondence.
• Undertake financial forecasting and support risk identification and mitigation activities.
• Support resource planning to help achieve commercial and programme objectives.
• Identify and manage commercial risks, supporting early warning processes and risk reduction activities.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• A degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline.
• Professional accreditation, working towards accreditation, or an interest in pursuing professional qualifications such as MRICS or MCIOB.
• Experience in commercial management within the rail or wider infrastructure sector.
• Experience supporting the delivery of infrastructure projects within a client, contractor or consultancy environment.
• Knowledge of organisations such as Network Rail, HS2, TfGM or other rail delivery bodies would be advantageous.
• A track record of contributing to successful commercial outcomes on infrastructure projects.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.
• Proficiency in commercial management systems, tools and software.
• A good understanding of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts and commercial management principles.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving, risk management and continuous improvement.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long‑lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you - giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the "WSP My Hour", allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.