Programme Commercial Manager

SYSTRA UK & Ireland; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA UK & Ireland is seeking a Senior Commercial / PMO (Client Side) professional to lead the commercial assurance for our client’s capital programme. You will oversee time, cost and quality management and help maximise client value across multiple projects.

You will mentor and develop the Commercial Team, coordinate reporting, and manage change control, EVM/EAC alignment, and contractual notices in line with NEC frameworks.

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 ability to demonstrate change control and associated processes.
• Experience of post-contract commercial services including 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).

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Systra Commercial (Client Side) team to manage time, cost and quality up to project close out.
• Provide proactive commercial leadership to ensure timely reporting and contract deliverables.
• Minimise Client risk and maximise Client value through effective team leadership.
• Recruit, onboard and develop team members to build a high-performing unit.
• Prepare and maintain Client commercial correspondence and notices under supply chain contracts.
• Maintain compliance with Client processes and Line of Defence protocols.
• Coach junior team members and align with strategic objectives.

Skills

Project management

Commercial governance

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Team leadership

Education

BA/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)