Commercial Manager (Welsh Water)

Lanes Group PLC; Bodelwyddan; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Lanes Group plc is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to lead commercial performance across portfolios, ensuring governance, profitability and contract entitlement. You will work with operational teams, clients and senior stakeholders to optimise financial outcomes and drive commercial best practice.

The role focuses on Welsh Water portfolio delivery, with close collaboration across Finance, Procurement and Operations to maximise value and manage risk.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Commercial Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor or similar commercial role.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and contract administration.
• Experience managing cost, value, risk, forecasting and commercial reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial leadership and governance across contracts, projects or frameworks.
• Drive cost control, margin protection and cash recovery.
• Manage applications for payment, invoicing and revenue recognition.
• Develop and maintain client and stakeholder relationships.
• Oversee subcontract management, risk and change control.
• Lead, mentor and develop commercial team members.

Skills

Commercial leadership

NEC contracts

Cost forecasting

Stakeholder management

Contract administration

Risk management

Financial reporting

Excel

CEMAR

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying

RICS qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

CEMAR

Job description

Lanes Group plc is a leading nationwide utility services provider with c.5000 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £650 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders. Join us to be part of a dynamic and growing team that values diversity and fosters professional growth.

Department:

Sapphire Utility Solutions, a Lanes Group Company specialise in multiple divisions.

Commercial works closely with operational, delivery, and support teams across the business, providing commercial oversight, contract management, financial control, and strategic guidance to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, profitably, and in line with contractual obligations. The team is responsible for protecting and enhancing business value through effective cost management, risk mitigation, procurement support, and stakeholder engagement. By driving commercial best practice and informed decision-making, they help maximise project performance, support sustainable growth, and ensure the business delivers outstanding outcomes for customers and partners.

Purpose of the role:

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Commercial Manager to lead commercial performance across a portfolio of projects, contracts or frameworks.

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for ensuring robust commercial governance, maximising profitability, protecting contractual entitlement and managing commercial risk. Working closely with operational teams, clients and senior stakeholders, the role will support the successful delivery of projects while driving commercial best practice, financial performance and continuous improvement.

The Commercial Manager will provide commercial leadership across the Welsh Water portfolio, ensuring strong financial performance and effective contract management. Working collaboratively with clients, operational teams and key stakeholders, the role will drive commercial best practice, maximise contractual entitlement and support the achievement of strategic business objective.

Key Responsibilities:

Commercial Leadership and Governance

• Lead commercial activities across allocated contracts, projects or frameworks.
• Drive commercial performance, cost control, margin protection and cash recovery.
• Ensure robust commercial governance, controls and reporting processes are maintained.
• Lead CVR reviews and provide accurate reporting on costs, revenue, risks and opportunities.
• Support business planning, forecasting and budgeting activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance and operational efficiency.
• Promote commercial awareness and accountability across project teams.

Contract and Risk Management

• Manage the administration and interpretation of contracts, ensuring contractual compliance and entitlement protection.
• Oversee change control, variations, Compensation Events and commercial negotiations.
• Ensure contractual risks and opportunities are identified, managed and reported.
• Maintain accurate contractual records and supporting evidence.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution through proactive contract management.
• Ensure commercial processes are understood and followed by operational teams.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Manage project cost, value, margin and cash performance.
• Oversee applications for payment, invoicing and revenue recognition activities.
• Manage Work in Progress and support accurate forecasting and reporting.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and target margins.
• Provide commercial analysis and recommendations to support business decisions.
• Support audit readiness and commercial compliance requirements.

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Lead commercial discussions, negotiations and performance reviews.
• Provide commercial advice and support to operational and senior leadership teams.
• Work collaboratively with Finance, Procurement, Operations and Delivery functions.
• Influence stakeholders to achieve positive commercial outcomes and business objectives.

Supply Chain and Subcontract Management

• Manage subcontractor procurement, valuation and final account processes.
• Ensure subcontract agreements are commercially robust and appropriately administered.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and commercial compliance.
• Support supply chain performance reviews and improvement initiatives.
• Ensure subcontract costs and risks are effectively managed.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor and develop Quantity Surveyors, Assistant Quantity Surveyors and commercial team members.
• Support succession planning and professional development activities.
• Promote commercial best practice, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing commercial culture.
• Contribute to talent development and future commercial capability within the business.

Essential

• Proven experience in a Commercial Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor or similar commercial role.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts and contract administration.
• Experience managing cost, value, risk, forecasting and commercial reporting.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• Experience managing change control, contractual claims and commercial negotiations.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to influence and challenge at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong leadership and people management capability.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.

Desirable

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or related discipline.
• RICS qualified or working towards professional accreditation.
• Experience within utilities, infrastructure, civil engineering or regulated industries.
• Experience managing large or complex contract portfolios.
• Knowledge of CEMAR or similar contract management systems.
• Experience working within long-term framework agreements.
• Experience leading commercial process improvement initiatives.

Living the Company Values

By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with our purpose of 'improving today for a better tomorrow'.

Each role and value has an alignment to set proficiency levels and expectations; this role holder is expected to:

• Leading: Acts as a role model, shaping the learning agenda and influencing change.
• Agile: Anticipates learning needs, adjusts quickly to changing operational contexts.
• Nurturing: Supports the development of others through coaching and structured development plans.
• Engaging: Inspires and motivates learners, builds trust and credibility
• Safe & Secure: Ensures all learning is aligned to safety and compliance standards.

Your Contribution to the company:

• Strive to be always positive and constructive
• Adhere to all company policies
• Straight talking about the facts of the situation – open discussions are the best way to find solutions
• Help others through communicating clearly
• Deliver on commitments
• Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues
• Deliver our Company Values understanding that by working together in unity we are ‘Stronger Together’

Equality, Diversion & Inclusion

At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.