Rail Commercial Manager

Carrington West; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project management firm in the UK is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager for large rail infrastructure projects. This role focuses on post-contract commercial management and cost verification. Responsibilities include managing NEC contracts, reviewing contractor variations, and providing commercial assurance. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work on complex projects with potential for long-term extensions. Candidates must have a strong background in NEC contracts and experience in large infrastructure environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience on large infrastructure projects, ideally rail.
• Strong hands-on NEC contract experience.
• Solid post-contract commercial background.
• Demonstrable experience in verifying costs and assurance work.

Responsibilities

• Provide post-contract commercial management on HS2 projects.
• Manage and administer NEC contracts.
• Undertake cost verification and assurance (CVA) activities.
• Review and challenge variations submitted by main contractors.

Skills

NEC contract experience

Cost verification

Post-contract commercial management

Client-side project experience

Experience with large main contractors

Job description

Are you a commercial manager working on large rail infrastructure projects under the NEC contract?

Do you have experience undertaking post contract cost verification whilst working client side?

Location: Birmingham or London – client’s office 3 days a week, rest from home
Rate: £450 - £500 day inside IR35 dependant on experience
Contract length: 6 months with likely extensions

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to support major HS2 large‑scale infrastructure projects, ideally within rail. The role sits within the Power of Six framework and focuses on post‑contract commercial management, cost verification, and assurance across complex, high‑value works packages.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide post‑contract commercial management on HS2 projects
• Manage and administer NEC contracts
• Undertake cost verification and assurance (CVA) activities
• Review and challenge variations submitted by main contractors, ensuring compliance with contract terms, costs are reasonable, justified, and value for money
• Work closely with tier‑one main contractors, confidently managing robust and commercially challenging behaviours
• Support estimating, cost forecasting, and reporting
• Provide clear commercial assurance and reporting to the client team

Required Experience

• Proven experience on large infrastructure projects, ideally rail
• Strong hands‑on NEC contract experience
• Solid post‑contract commercial background
• Demonstrable experience in verifying costs and assurance work
• Experience dealing directly with large main contractors
• Background from consultancy or contractor environments considered

Why Apply?

• Work on one of the UK's largest and most complex infrastructure programmes
• Strong potential for long‑term contract extensions
• High‑impact commercial assurance role within a major client environment