Highways Lead Commercial Manager

Carrington West; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering contractor is seeking a Lead Commercial Manager to oversee the commercial strategy of their self-delivery business. This role involves driving revenue, managing NEC contracts, and developing a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in civil engineering and a strong commercial background, as well as a degree in a related field. The position is based in Winchester with a hybrid working model and offers a competitive salary package.

Benefits

Company car or car allowance

Private healthcare

Pension and life assurance

25 days' annual leave plus your birthday off

Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior commercial management role within civil engineering.
• Strong highways and self-delivery experience.
• Extensive knowledge of NEC contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial performance of civil engineering self-delivery business.
• Drive revenue and margin through proactive financial management.
• Manage NEC contracts, including risk and dispute resolution.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Resilience

Influencing senior stakeholders

Education

Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related discipline

Professional membership such as RICS or CICES

Job description

Lead Commercial Manager - Civil Engineering | Shape a Growing Self-Delivery Business

Lead Commercial Manager role in a growing highways self-delivery business. This is an opportunity to step into a senior, influential position where you will shape commercial strategy, lead a high-performing team and influence the success of the self-delivery civil engineering business.

This role offers autonomy, visibility and the chance to raise standards, placing you in a driving seat within the business.

About the company

My client is a well-established UK civil engineering contractor operating across highways, public realm and transport infrastructure. Their civil engineering business is the self-delivery arm, delivering new build, maintenance and VRS works through in-house teams. With a strong pipeline of work and ambitions to move into longer-term, higher-value projects, this business has momentum and clear direction.

The role and responsibilities

As Lead Commercial Manager, you will own and lead the commercial performance of the civil engineering self-delivery business. You will work closely with delivery teams and clients, enabling sound decision-making and driving revenue and margin across a diverse portfolio of work.

You will typically be based in the Winchester office or on site, with flexibility to work from home depending on project needs.

• Leading commercial performance across frameworks and individual projects
• Driving revenue and margin through proactive financial management, CVRs and early intervention
• Setting and maintaining strong commercial governance, reporting, cash management and compliance
• Consolidating framework-level performance data to provide clear insight and direction
• Leading NEC contract management, including risk, opportunity and dispute resolution
• Supporting bids and pricing strategies to mitigate risk and improve profitability
• Strengthening supply chain performance through proactive and collaborative relationships
• Building, developing and mentoring a high-performing commercial team through coaching and training
• Identifying issues early, leading targeted interventions and embedding continuous improvement

Must-have skills and experience

To succeed as Lead Commercial Manager, you will bring:

• Proven experience in a senior commercial management role within civil engineering
• Strong highways and self-delivery experience (preferred)
• Extensive knowledge of NEC contracts, including Highways Term Service Agreements
• Experience operating as both Principal Contractor and Tier 2 self-delivery partner
• A track record across a range of project values, from major projects to reactive works
• Framework-level commercial consolidation and performance management experience
• Excellent commercial acumen, resilience and negotiation skills
• Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and leading teams through change
• A degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Professional membership such as RICS or CICES (desirable)

Salary and benefits

• £110,000 - £130,000 per annum, dependent on experience
• Company car or car allowance
• Private healthcare
• Pension and life assurance
• 25 days' annual leave plus your birthday off
• Hybrid working where possible
• Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits

Career development, location and working pattern

This Lead Commercial Manager position offers genuine long-term progression, with the opportunity to shape a growing self-delivery civil engineering business and develop your career alongside it. The role is permanent and full-time, based in Winchester, with flexible hybrid working and regular site involvement.

Interested in taking the next step?

If you are a commercially astute highways professional looking to lead, influence and leave a lasting impact on a self-delivery civil engineering business, this opportunity is well worth exploring.

FOOTNOTE: If you feel that you are right for this role technically, but the salary, location or seniority does not suit you specifically then please still feel free to send us your CV. We constantly recruit for roles very similar to this one at all levels UK Wide. We are always keen to chat with you discreetly about your employment situation. Even if you are happy in your current role for now, we always welcome calls from Highways professionals keen to make their introductions for future months or years. Carrington West's Highways, Transport & Infrastructure division is the fastest growing in the country; our specialist team has a combined over 100+ years' experience in this market. Please call Jordan Townley at Carrington West on 023 9431 4917 or email [e-mail] for more information.

By applying for this position, you are agreeing for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will be shared with third-party clients specifically relevant to any roles you have applied for. If at any stage, you wish to withdraw your consent please contact us.