Commercial Manager - UKIFS

STEP; South Wheatley; On-site; GBP 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Join UKIFS as a Commercial Manager, leading strategic contract management for pioneering fusion energy projects. This role embodies negotiation, compliance, and stakeholder collaboration within a groundbreaking industry, enhancing job security and contributing to global energy independence. The position offers strong professional growth while emphasizing diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave allowance

Wide range of career development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in contract management within construction, engineering, or infrastructure sectors.
• Practical experience with NEC frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, execute, and manage contracts for fusion energy delivery.
• Ensure compliance and maximize value throughout the contract lifecycle.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Education

MCIPS or RICS Qualification

Job description

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd , a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey.

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from:

• Outstandingdefined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporatebonus schemeup to 7% and aRelocationallowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working optionsincluding family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programmeand trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range ofcareer development opportunities
• A vibrantculturecommitted to being fullyinclusive
  
  

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

The salary for this role is £50,311 (An additional allowance may be paid where MCIPS is held).

Employees of UKIFS can be based at either of our sites; West Burton, Nottinghamshire or Culham, Oxfordshire, and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

For more information on UKIFS, visit: https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf

Job Description

The Role

As a Commercial Manager, you will ensure the successful negotiation, execution, and management of contracts essential to delivering fusion energy. Working closely with internal stakeholders, Whole Plant Partners, and key suppliers, you will provide strategic contract management expertise, helping to ensure that all contractual obligations are met while fostering collaborative working relationships.

Contract Management & Compliance

• Support the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex contracts, including supply agreements, joint venture contracts, and construction agreements.
• Collaborate with technical, legal, and procurement teams to ensure contracts align with project objectives, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Oversee the full contract lifecycle, from procurement to execution and close-out, ensuring compliance and maximising value for money.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks in contract execution.
• Provide guidance on contract variations, amendments, renewals, and claims management.
• Ensure effective cost forecasting, change management, and payments, working in line with NEC contract requirements.
• Work with legal and sourcing teams to resolve contract disputes efficiently while maintaining strong relationships with partners.
  
  

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster a collaborative working environment, ensuring seamless contract execution across UKIFS and Whole Plant Partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, contractors, and project stakeholders.
• Work closely with technical teams to resolve contractual and commercial challenges.
• Act as a cultural ambassador, promoting UKIFS’s values of professionalism, integrity, and innovation.
• Provide training and mentorship to junior team members on contract management best practices.
  
  

Driving Excellence in Contract Management

• Implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance contractor performance and efficiency.
• Maintain high-quality commercial and contractual data, ensuring clear visibility of contract performance.
• Stay up to date with developments in the fusion energy industry, including regulatory updates and supply chain trends.
• Adapt to a fast-moving and evolving environment, helping shape UKIFS’s commercial approach as the fusion sector grows.
  
  

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested.

Qualifications

We are looking for a strategic and results-driven contract professional with a strong background in engineering, infrastructure, or major project contract management.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• MCIPS or RICS Qualification (or equivalent).
• Demonstrable experience in contract management, ideally within construction, engineering, or infrastructure sectors.
• Practical experience managing contracts under NEC frameworks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex contractual issues and propose effective solutions.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage compliance and reporting in a highly regulated environment.
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and drive collaborative working relationships.
  
  

Desirable Experience:

• Accredited Government Commercial Practitioner (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience managing Joint Ventures or Consortia Contracts.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and governance.
• Background in both public and private sector contract management.
  
  

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit our careers website.