Senior Commercial Manager (Legal)

ZipRecruiter; London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading partner to UK universities is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to support strategic growth by securing new business from Higher Education partners. The role involves leading legal and commercial workstreams on projects and requires excellent relationship management skills.

Benefits

29 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private healthcare

Pension

Enhanced family leave policy

Life assurance

Training

Two paid volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven track record in reviewing and negotiating commercial documentation.
• Experience engaging with client partners on large-scale bids.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal and commercial workstream on projects.
• Ensure appropriate risk allocation with stakeholders.
• Develop relationships with Higher Education sector stakeholders.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal

Influencing

Job description

Job Description

UPP, the leading partner to UK universities for on-campus accommodation infrastructure, is seeking to recruit a Senior Commercial Manager to support UPP’s strategic growth plan, which aims to secure new business from existing and new Higher Education partners across the UK.

UPP is the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential accommodation infrastructure, operating over 35,000 rooms in partnership with 15 universities. With a history of innovation, UPP has invested over £3.5bn over the last three decades, working with top architects to develop sustainable student accommodations meeting Passivhaus, BREEAM, and WELL standards.

The Senior Commercial Manager will lead the legal and commercial workstream on projects, working with the team to achieve Bidder status on tenders and Exclusivity with universities on direct awards. The role involves working towards Financial Close on these transactions.

A key responsibility is to allocate risk appropriately among University Partners, Funders, Contractors, and Suppliers, considering the interests of shareholders, UPP, and other stakeholders. Building positive relationships within the Higher Education sector and with legal advisors is essential to uphold UPP’s reputation.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in reviewing and negotiating commercial documents for major construction, infrastructure, or FM projects, with experience in large-scale bids and relationship management. Experience with PFI/PPP, design-build-finance-operate projects, or the student accommodation sector is advantageous but not essential, provided the candidate can quickly understand the sector and contractual nuances.

This role offers a competitive six-figure salary, performance bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package, including holiday entitlement, private healthcare, pension, family leave, life assurance, training, volunteer days, and cycle-to-work scheme. The position is based in London with a hybrid working policy (2-3 days remote), and involves regular travel and overnight stays as required.

For more information about UPP, visit their website. To apply, send your CV and cover letter to [e-mail] and [e-mail]. For a confidential discussion, contact Nick Coppard or Ben Duffill at MRG.

UPP values diversity and inclusion and encourages all applications, offering support for disabilities and impairments throughout the recruitment process.