Programme Commercial Manager

SYSTRA; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career progression

Job summary

SYSTRA in the UK seeks an experienced senior professional to oversee the Commercial / PMO (Client Side) team, ensuring robust commercial assurance across capital programmes. You will manage time, cost and quality, lead a high‑performing team, and coordinate with client and supply chain stakeholders to mitigate risk and maximise value.

The role requires a minimum of 7 years NEC experience, strong post‑contract commercial expertise, and Chartered membership.

Qualifications

• Experience in high value civil engineering, building, M&E, rail or infrastructure projects (preferably client-side).
• Management and reporting of client expectations and deliverables.
• Minimum of 7 years NEC experience with change control processes.
• Experience in post-contract commercial services (reporting, payments, variations, final accounts).
• BA Hons / BSc in Commercial Management or Quantity Surveying.
• Chartered Membership (CICES / RICS / CIArb or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Commercial (Client Side) team to manage time, cost and quality through to programme close out.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team; ensure timely reporting and contract deliverables.
• Mitigate client risk and maximise value; ensure compliance with Client processes and LoD protocol.
• Coach and mentor junior team members; manage stakeholder relationships across Client and Supply Chain.
• Prepare and manage commercial correspondence and notices under contract conditions.
• Identify risks/issues and assist in dispute resolution with Client requirements.

Skills

NEC experience

Client-side work

Change control

Contract reporting

Team leadership

Commercial management

Education

BA/Hons or BSc in Commercial Management or QS

Tools

Contract management systems

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.

Context

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.

Missions/Main Duties

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
  • Bilateral (Client & Supply Chain) Risk Assessment against funding envelope
  • 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

Financial & project accountabilities

• 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.

Profile/Skills

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)

Safety

• Commitment (Safety is the first consideration in everything we do, if it isn’t safe, we don’t do it)
• Leadership (Safety begins at the top - we walk the talk and set a visible example)
• Openness (Safety is openness - information is shared and investigation conclusions are open to all parties)
• Reporting (Safety is knowledge - we report every incident and take immediate remedial action)
• Responsibility (Safety is everyone’s responsibility - we learn from mistakes and will)

Workplace Type

Hybrid