Senior Commercial Manager

ENGINEERINGUK; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to revitalizing the UK's railway system as a Senior Commercial Manager. You will lead a team to manage all commercial aspects of significant rail projects, ensuring effective contract administration and driving efficiency. This role offers the opportunity to impact local communities positively while working in a collaborative environment that values innovation and excellence. Embrace the chance to contribute to a safer, more reliable rail service that connects people and enhances their travel experience.

Benefits

Privileged staff travel

Healthcare offers

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted healthcare club membership

Pension schemes

Paid volunteering leave

Paid reserve leave for Armed Forces

Qualifications

• 5 years' experience in railway and/or construction.
• Knowledge of railway and construction industry conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial management of major rail projects.
• Negotiate terms and manage contract variations.
• Monitor project reporting and compliance controls.

Skills

Negotiation Skills

Project Cost Management

Risk Management

Construction Contract Dispute Resolution

Railway Commercial Contract Management

Education

Degree in relevant field

Professional Qualification

Job description

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About Network Rail

At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.
Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.

• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.

• GWR ticket alliance - Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network.

• Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.

• A range of Pension schemes to choose from

• Effectively manage work-life balance with a 35hrs per week contract, hybrid working, and enhanced family friendly support .

• 5 days paid volunteering leave.

• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.

In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.

To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here .

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone . For more information about Network Rail click here

Brief Description

Network Rail is at the heart of revitalising Britain's railway system, delivering a safer, more reliable, and more efficient rail service that meets the needs of passengers and freight customers. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence.

As a Senior Commercial Manager at Network Rail, supporting our Capital Delivery Enhancements portfolio, you will lead a team managing all commercial aspects of major rail projects. You will be responsible for ensuring the effective administration of contracts, negotiating terms, managing change and driving efficiency & value across our projects.

The Capital Delivery Enhancements team are currently working on regionally significant projects such as MetroWest1, Metrowest2, Bristol Temple Meads Quarter regeneration and many others, which will have a major positive impact on our passengers and local communities for many years to come.

About the role (External)

Your Main Responsibilities will be to:

1. Establish and implement appropriate commercial strategies including effective project cost management and provide feedback into subsequent procurement processes.

2. Provide commercial management of framework agreements and supporting contracts leading the commercial review of contractor delivery, attending valuation and progress meetings as necessary.

3. Initiate estimating and risk and value management of projects in a timely manner during the project life-cycle, recommending appropriate mitigating actions on commercial/risk events at the earliest opportunity.

4. Lead the negotiation of all prices under existing contracts/framework agreements (including the negotiation of target costs) and fully participate in the associated Quantitative Risk Assessment and Value Management Workshops.

5. Monitor and manage all project reporting such that it is accurately maintained and recorded in accordance with company reporting systems. Explain all variances to outturns, period forecasts, AFCs and budget/authority to Commercial Director, proposing mitigating actions at the earliest opportunity.

6. Lead and deploy the commercial team in the management of all live projects ensuring they are adequately resourced from a commercial perspective.

7. Provide pro-active expertise, advice and governance on all contract/scope changes in accordance with change control systems, recommending or authorising appropriate action within delegated authority and progressing the timely resolution of contract variations.

8. Manage all commercial correspondence and contractual notices issued in accordance with contractual conditions to confirm whether Network Rail's contractual position is clearly defined.

9. Identify emerging problems, report contractual claims and support in the management and resolution of legal and/or commercial disputes in conjunction with Functional management as appropriate.

10. Establish appropriate compliance controls and audit regimes to achieve adherence to Network Rail's relevant procedures, Group and company standards.

11. Lead the final account settlements on all projects to manage close out as per the project authority, project plan and within agreed timescales. Monitor all multi-year framework agreements, to agreement and reconciled annual accounts within 6 months of each year-end.

12. Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating by undertaking cost analysis of completed projects and feedback as per Cost Allocation Feedback process.

13. Support with pre and post contract procurement activities as appropriate acting as role model for commercial staff, providing coaching and development as appropriate.

You will ideally have (Essential)

• Knowledge of railway and construction industry conditions of contract

• Educated to degree level or equivalent and professional qualification

• Experienced negotiator

• Experience of resolution of construction contract disputes

• 5 years' relevant railway and/or construction experience

• Knowledge of railway commercial contract management

What could set you apart (Desirable)

• Experience of managing and developing a team of staff

• Good communication skills both written and oral

• Experience of contractors accounts

Not sure if you meet all the requirements? Let us decide.

How to apply (External)
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Salary: £55,596 to £63,797 per annum.

Closing date: 21 st May 2025.

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click 'apply now' to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We're constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we're working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

We are working in conjunction with the Cultural Fusion team. If you would like support with your application or interview please contact Wales&[e-mail] or visit the connect page: Wales and Western Cultural Fusion (sharepoint.com) . For all other support please contact your HR Business Partner.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

Some of our jobs require that candidates who receive a conditional offer undergo and pass a face-to-face drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.

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