Lead Commercial Manager - Customers

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus – up to 12.5% performance‑based

Benefits Allowance – £2,200 for a Besp

Pension – Rolls-Royce SMR scheme

Holidays – 28 days + public holidays

Flexible and hybrid working

Job summary

Rolls-Royce SMR Limited is seeking a Lead Commercial Manager – Customers to oversee the drafting, negotiation and management of high‑value contracts, ensuring governance and risk controls are maintained across major programmes.

You will engage senior stakeholders and shape commercial strategy, mentoring junior colleagues while operating in a matrix environment. The role supports hybrid working from our Derby office with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in commercial or contract management environments.
• Strong experience negotiating and managing complex, high-value contracts within engineering, infrastructure, energy or other similar sectors.
• Proven ability to operate in complex, regulated or high-risk environments and manage commercial risk.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working at senior levels.
• Experience contributing to commercial strategy and delivering value through contracts.
• Ability to lead within a collaborative, matrix structure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the drafting, negotiation and management of complex customer contracts.
• Ensure compliance with RR SMR commercial governance, policies and reporting requirements.
• Support the development and delivery of commercial strategy aligned to programme objectives.
• Manage commercial risk and drive value through effective contract management and performance oversight.
• Influence and engage senior internal and external stakeholders across a matrix environment.
• Contribute to the development and maturity of the Commercial function, including processes, governance and best practice.
• Support and mentor junior members of the team.
• Represent the Commercial function internally and externally, which may include deputising, where required.

Skills

Commercial management

Contract negotiation

High-value contracts

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Leadership

Governance

Negotiation strategy

Tools

NEC contracts

FIDIC contracts

JCT contracts

Job description

Our mission is to deliver clean, affordable energy for all. Rolls Royce SMR provides a British solution to a global energy challenge, leading the way in Small Modular Reactor technology and shaping the UK’s premier green export opportunity. Our Customer Commercial function sits at the heart of this journey, enabling the successful delivery of major customer contracts while supporting future growth. With multiple customer agreements secured and more in development, we are entering a critical phase of delivery and expansion, with dedicated Commercial teams in place supporting our existing customers in the UK, Czech Republic and Sweden. If you have a specific preference in role, please let us know. To support this, we’re looking for a Lead Commercial Manager – Customers to play a key role in managing high-value, complex contracts and shaping our commercial capability. You’ll work closely with strategic customers and internal stakeholders to drive value, manage risk and ensure successful contract execution across major programmes.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the drafting, negotiation and management of complex customer contracts
• Ensure compliance with RR SMR commercial governance, policies and reporting requirements
• Support the development and delivery of commercial strategy aligned to programme objectives
• Manage commercial risk and drive value through effective contract management and performance oversight
• Influence and engage senior internal and external stakeholders across a matrix environment
• Contribute to the development and maturity of the Commercial function, including processes, governance and best practice
• Support and mentor junior members of the team
• Represent the Commercial function internally and externally, which may include deputising, where required

What you’ll bring

• Significant experience in commercial or contract management environments
• Strong experience negotiating and managing complex, high-value contracts within engineering, infrastructure, energy or other similar sectors
• Proven ability to operate in complex, regulated or high-risk environments and manage commercial risk
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including working at senior levels
• Experience contributing to commercial strategy and delivering value through contracts
• Ability to lead within a collaborative, matrix structure
• Experience supporting governance, processes or capability development within a Commercial function (desirable)
• Experience of industry contract forms such as NEC, FIDIC, JCT or similar (advantageous but not essential)

Location & Ways of Working

This role can be based from our Derby office. We operate hybrid working, with regular weekly office attendance expected. Travel may be required depending on customer and programme needs.

What’s in it for you?

Salary: £63,750 – £78,750 depending on experience and benefits include:

• Bonus – up to 12.5% performance-related
• Benefits Allowance – £2,200 for a bespoke package
• Pension – competitive Rolls-Royce SMR scheme
• Holidays – 28 days + public holidays
• Flexible and hybrid working

You’ll join a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness and innovation, offering: A flexible, inclusive and supportive environment Opportunities for progression in a rapidly scaling business A culture centred on collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement Pay Range: £60,000.00 - £78,750.00

Why Join Us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation.

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a 'perfect' candidate.

Our Application Process

Due to the safety regulations within the nuclear industry, applicants will be required to participate in additional screening.

• Obtaining Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance
• Satisfactory completion of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Satisfactory completion of a basic financial probity check

#LI-hybrid

We are Rolls-Royce SMR A career with Rolls-Royce SMR offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an exciting organisation delivering a transformational mission. Rolls-Royce SMR is a radically different approach to proven nuclear technology. Each Rolls-Royce SMR power station will generate 470MW of low-carbon energy - equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes for over 60 years. With its Rolls-Royce SMRs will play a vital role in supporting renewable energy by helping to overcome intermittency and ensure a stable, sustainable energy future. We’re proud to be one of the few employers that can genuinely say we’re a strengths-based organisation. Our people are here because of what makes them exceptional - and our role is to help them make the most meaningful contribution of their careers, doing work they love. We offer opportunities that go beyond traditional career paths. At Rolls-Royce SMR you can develop your career by exploring roles and challenges that align with your unique talents. Our culture At Rolls-Royce SMR, we are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the communities we serve and that everyone can be themselves at work. We know that diverse teams are more innovative and get better results, and that our people can thrive and be more successful in truly inclusive cultures. Join us and help shape our culture. Find out more about our inclusion pledge. Rolls-Royce SMR is a place where everyone can grow, so whatever background you bring with you.

Why join us?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking organisation that values transparency, fairness, and innovation.

• A flexible, inclusive, and supportive working environment.
• Opportunities for career growth in a rapidly scaling business.
• A culture that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Inclusivity is important to us, and as a Disability Confident organisation, we are committed to fair, supportive, and continually improving recruitment practices that ensure everyone can thrive.

What we offer

At Rolls-Royce SMR, our reward offering is focused on recognising you for your efforts and motivate you to continue achieving. Our rewards and benefits scheme are designed for employees to have complete control. By providing complete autonomy, you can focus on what’s important to you. Whether it’s investments, insurances or wellbeing, it’s in your hands. Work is an activity, not a place. We understand due to commitments and lifestyle; the world of work has evolved beyond the 9 - 5. Whether its varied hours or hybrid working, our flexible working arrangements make it possible for employees to achieve a true work life balance. Your career journey At Rolls-Royce SMR, we don’t just want you to contribute, we want you to grow. We have open dialogue with our employees to understand the ambitions for their career and set plans to achieve them. Whether it’s helping you obtain formal qualifications or pairing you with a mentor, Rolls-Royce SMR will provide you with a fulfilling career.