Principal Contract and Commercial Manager

EDF Energy; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading renewable energy company in the UK is seeking a Principal Contract and Commercial Manager to lead its commercial strategy and supplier relationships. This role involves overseeing governance and dispute resolution, optimizing contracts, and managing a high-performing team. With a focus on sustainability and net zero targets, this position offers a competitive salary, potential bonuses, and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible benefits

Market-leading pension scheme

Potential annual bonus

Electric vehicle leasing

Private healthcare

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in commercial contracting within the energy sector.
• Proven ability to draft and manage complex contracts.
• Experience in governance and dispute resolution.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Commercial team for supplier relationships.
• Oversee governance and dispute resolution.
• Drive commercial strategy across assets.

Skills

Commercial contracting

Contract law

Supplier negotiation

Governance processes

Financial awareness

Job description

About the Role

Are you ready to help develop commercial strategy and supplier relationships that power a greener future? At EDF Power Solutions, your expertise in contract management will help us deliver value across our renewable energy portfolio and support our net zero ambitions.

The Opportunity

As Principal Contract and Commercial Manager, you'll lead a high-performing team, shaping commercial strategy and supplier partnerships that drive our renewable growth. You'll be the focal point for supplier accountability, governance and dispute resolution across our onshore and offshore assets.

You’ll bring deep knowledge of contract law and commercial negotiation. You'll support new revenue streams and optimise value from existing agreements, while contributing to bid management, insurance processes and financial oversight.

This role is based from our Durham office on a hybrid basis, with occasional travel to our onshore wind farms and other UK offices. You'll also have opportunities to travel to countries within Europe, including team meetings in France.

Who You Are

We're looking for a Principal Contract and Commercial Manager who is commercially astute, confident in governance, and experienced in leading supplier negotiations. To be shortlisted, you need to offer

• Experience in commercial contracting and contract law, ideally within the energy or industrial sector
• Proven ability to draft, negotiate and manage complex contracts and frameworks
• Experience managing governance processes and resolving commercial disputes
• Ability to travel across the UK and Europe, including to wind farm sites and supplier meetings
• Experience managing insurance processes and contributing to bid management
• Strong financial awareness including budgeting and reporting
• Experience leading teams and developing commercial strategies

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the Commercial team to manage supplier relationships and contract performance
• Overseeing governance, compliance and dispute resolution across key agreements
• Leading the developing of commercial systems and processes to ensure continuous improvement.
• Leading Commercial bid management and supporting insurance processes for operational assets
• Driving the commercial strategy across onshore, offshore and SSPW assets
• Collaborating with internal teams and international suppliers to optimise value

Pay, Benefits and Culture

If you're looking to join a company where you can work hard, have fun, and help to create a net zero future - then you're in the right place! If you're passionate about tackling climate change to support a cleaner, greener future, we'd love you to come and join us.

Alongside a competitive salary, potential for an annual bonus, and a market-leading pension scheme, our employee benefits include flexible benefits tailored to your lifestyle - from electric vehicle leasing and private healthcare to extra holiday and more.

Everyone is welcome at EDF; we’re committed to building a workforce that reflects gender balance, social mobility, and inclusion of minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities, and those with disabilities. As a Disability Confident employer, we will support applicants requiring adjustments.

Closing Date: 27th of October 2025
Location: Working on a Hybrid basis from our office in Durham. We’re proud to offer a Flexible First approach to work, meaning you can work comfortably from home with our office as your base location.

Why EDF Power Solutions?

At EDF power solutions UK & Ireland we’re committed to tackling climate change. Our rapidly growing team of 600 talented people share an ambition to create a net zero future where clean, green, energy powers all our lives.

It’s a huge ambition and time is of the essence if we are to play our full part in meeting the UK and Ireland's challenging net zero targets. With our unique mix of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, battery storage and green hydrogen we are the UK & Ireland's most diverse generator of renewable energy.

To achieve our goal of generating a massive 10GW of renewable energy by 2035, we’re working with stakeholders and communities throughout the UK and Ireland to unlock the enormous potential of the low carbon energy sector.

If you’re passionate about tackling climate change to create the cleaner, greener future we all want, we would love you to come join us.

Energise your career. Accelerate a net zero future.

#RenewableJobs #EDFcareers #LI-Hybrid #LI-Renewables

Join us, and let’s do good together.