Programme Commercial Manager

SYSTRA UK & Ireland; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Private healthcare

Electric car scheme

Flexible benefits

Charity days

Job summary

SYSTRA UK & Ireland is seeking a senior Commercial/PMO (Client Side) lead to drive commercial assurance across a major capital programme. You will oversee cost, time and quality, ensuring compliance with LoD2 processes, and provide strategic leadership across a high-performing team.

You will manage stakeholder relationships, report on contract performance, and guide post-contract commercial activities including variations, final accounts and dispute resolution. Hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Experience in high-value civil engineering, building, M&E, rail or infrastructure projects, preferably client-side.
• Minimum of 7 years NEC experience and demonstrated change-control experience.
• Post-contract commercial services experience including reporting, payment, variations and final accounts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the commercial (Client Side) team to manage time, cost and quality across the programme.
• Provide proactive commercial leadership and timely reporting of contract deliverables.
• Mentor junior team members and maintain a high-performing, inclusive team.
• Identify and manage emerging risks, contractual claims and disputes with the Client.

Skills

NEC experience

Client-side experience

Stakeholder management

Contract knowledge

Leadership

Education

BSc in Commercial Management

Chartered membership (CICES/RICS/CIArb)

Job description

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

We have an opportunity to oversee the Commercial / PMO (Client Side) team in providing commercial assurance for our Client’s capital programme / projects. This includes control and management of key Line of Defence 2 (LoD2) duties on behalf of the Client in order to appropriately manage cost and programme risk / opportunity on a programme wide basis.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• To oversee the Systra Commercial (Client Side) team in the effective management of time, cost and quality to plan, through to programme / project close out.
• Create and maintain a diverse thinking and high performing team environment.
• Provide proactive commercial leadership expertise to the Systra Commercial (Client Side) team, ensuring that timely reporting and contract deliverables are maintained.
• Provide leadership within the Systra Commercial (Client Side) team to minimise Client risk and maximise Client value.

Ensure compliance with all Client processes, in support of Line of Defence protocol. This includes:

• Collaboration with other LoD to validate compliance and effectiveness, e.g. review completion and mitigation actions completed
• Coach and mentor junior members of the Systra Commercial Team
• EVM and EAC alignment / testing
• Change Control and TRA Erosion (trending vs budget / allowance)
• Defect identification, notification and tracking
• Supply Chain due diligence including financial securities and any performance security (incl insurances)
• Prepare and manage Client commercial correspondence and contractual notices issued in accordance with supply chain contractual conditions
• Identify emerging risks / issues, report contractual claims and support in the management and resolution of legal and / or commercial disputes in conjunction with Client’s requirements
• Responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, development, performance management, and retention of team members to build a high-performing and engaged team
• Communicate relevant business updates, strategic objectives, and key information to the team in a timely and effective manner, ensuring clarity and alignment
• Ensure full compliance with people policies and procedures, proactively managing people-related risks to maintain a fair and safe work environment
• Create and maintain a working environment in which SYSTRA’s behavioural expectations are recognised and demonstrated through daily interactions with colleagues and clients. Actively lead by example by consistently role modelling SYSTRA behaviours, recognising and celebrating team members who exemplify these behaviours.
• Demonstrate behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by actively fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect, and empowerment, contributing to an environment where all colleagues can thrive, achieve, and grow together.

Stakeholder accountabilities

• Develop and maintain peer-to-peer relationships in the Client-Side organisation
• Oversee the preparation of all relevant commercial assurance for the Client’s monthly billing cycle, including cost and value reconciliation and associated change control
• Oversee the review of Client’s Supply Chain Application for Payments and certification recommendations, including global reporting and analysis
• Leading the Client Supply Chain mobilisation process
• Ensuring Client’s budget envelopes are maintained and any variances (incl risk and opportunity profile) are reported in a transparent and concise manner, including mitigating actions.

Skills / Knowledge / Experience / Qualifications

• Experience in high value civil engineering, building, M&E, rail or general construction and / or infrastructure projects (preferably Client-side)
• Management and reporting of Client expectations and deliverables
• Minimum of 7 years NEC experience and be able to demonstrate their experience managing change control and associated processes
• Specific expertise and experience of post-contract commercial services including those related to reporting, payment, variations and final account settlement
• BA Hons / BSc degree in Commercial Management, Quantity Surveying (or similar)
• Professionally Chartered Membership to an accredited body (CICES / RICS / CIArb or equivalent)

Why SYSTRA?

Our three core values: Excellence, Connected Teams and Bold Leadership are kept at the heart of everything we do. We strive for the highest levels of technical excellence, achieving the best results through teamwork, both locally and internationally, and reward innovative thinking through encouraging all colleagues to think as leaders. We offer clear and well supported pathways for career development and qualification attainment, a competitive remuneration package including a bonus and private healthcare, an electric car scheme and a broad suite of flexible benefits to suit your lifestyle.

Flexibility

Because we value who you are as much as what you do, we want you to feel supported at work. We offer hybrid working, balancing the benefits of working from home with time in our modern, well-equipped offices for that crucial in-person contact, team development and collaborative working. We also recognise that life doesn’t always run to the same schedule for everyone, so we have a dedicated flexible working policy to support you in tailoring your work life to reach your full potential, for more details on this, please get in touch.

Diversity & Inclusion

We provide a warm welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of people who can enrich our company and offer perspectives which will drive better solutions in a truly inclusive environment. Our employee led working groups and clearly defined strategy help us to keep at the leading edge of important issues and keep us accountable. We want our colleagues to feel comfortable to bring their whole selves to work and continually seek new ideas and contributions to ensure we continue to grow and develop in this space.

It’s no surprise that people do their best work when they feel physically and mentally supported. Our SYSTRA Wellness Programme offers a wide range of support; from Wellness champions, to free health checks, healthy eating workshops and regular seminars, alongside access to a wide range of external support. We offer two paid days for charity work and an ever-growing social calendar.

[e-mail] where your request will be treated confidentially and with respect. We pledge to offer an interview to any candidates with a disability who apply for a role and meet the minimum criteria.

As we are always looking to expand our team, we would still be interested in hearing from you if you fulfil most, but not all, of the relevant criteria for the role – you could still be just what we are looking for.