Senior Commercial Manager

Network Rail; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transport infrastructure organization is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager in Manchester. This role involves managing post-contract commercial activities, leading negotiations, and overseeing contract management processes. The ideal candidate should have experience in the railway or construction sectors, strong negotiation skills, and a relevant degree. The position offers competitive salary and a commitment to flexible working.

Qualifications

• 5 years’ relevant railway and/or construction experience.
• Experience resolving construction contract disputes.

Responsibilities

• Manage post-contract commercial contract management.
• Lead negotiation of all prices under existing contracts/framework agreements.
• Support pre and post contract procurement activities.

Skills

Knowledge of railway and construction industry conditions of contract

Experienced negotiator

Good written and verbal communication skills

Education

Degree level or equivalent with professional qualification

Job description

Overview

Join Our Team at Network Rail!

Senior Commercial Manager

Location: York, Derby, London or Manchester

Salary: £55,596 to £65,966 per annum (+£3200 for London based roles)

Role Type: Permanent, Full time

Note: there are multiple roles available

About Network Rail

We connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing safety, reliability, and efficiency. You will have a clear development path with access to training and additional qualifications.

Network Rail benefits include a range of employee benefits and a commitment to flexible and inclusive working.

Brief Description

In the Eastern Region Commercial Directorate, we are looking for talented individuals to join our growing team and work alongside a range of business units and across a varied and large portfolio. There are opportunities to support and lead Commercial activities on major projects and programmes, delivering significant UK infrastructure projects.

The Eastern Region Commercial Team pursues continuous improvement and a learning culture, with opportunities for career development and a focus on commercial, supply chain and governance approaches. We also address wider industry targets such as sustainable supply chains and carbon net zero targets.

In the Senior Commercial Manager role, you will manage post‑contract commercial contract management and support pre‑contract activity for all frameworks and contracts related to the programme of works.

View the attached Candidate Pack for further information on the Commercial Team and Application Process.

Key Accountabilities

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 during the project life-cycle, recommending mitigating actions on commercial/risk events at the earliest opportunity.
4. Lead the negotiation of all prices under existing contracts/framework agreements and participate in related risk assessment and value workshops.
5. Monitor and manage project reporting, explain variances to outturns, forecasts and budgets, and propose mitigating actions to the Commercial Director.
6. Lead and deploy the commercial team in the management of live projects, ensuring adequate commercial resourcing.
7. Provide expertise and governance on contract/scope changes, progressing timely resolution of contract variations within delegated authority.
8. Manage all commercial correspondence and contractual notices to confirm Network Rail’s contractual position.
9. Identify emerging problems, report contractual claims and support disputes resolution with appropriate management input; establish compliance controls and audit regimes.
10. Lead final account settlements and monitor multi‑year framework agreements to reconcile annual accounts within six months of year‑end.
11. Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating through cost analysis of completed projects.
12. Support pre and post contract procurement activities, coaching and developing commercial staff.

Qualifications

Essential

• Knowledge of railway and construction industry conditions of contract
• Degree level or equivalent with professional qualification
• Experienced negotiator
• Experience resolving construction contract disputes; 5 years’ relevant railway and/or construction experience
• Knowledge of railway commercial contract management

Desirable

• Experience managing and developing a team
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of contractors accounts

Other Information

Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies or evidence of progress toward them.

Internal and External applications welcome. Disability Confident Leader employer; we interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

We provide adjustments or modifications as needed during the recruitment process. Contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at [e-mail] for accessibility support.

Flexible working is supported, and we are committed to an inclusive and supportive workplace.

How to Apply

Click apply and login to Employee Self Service to submit your CV. If you do not have an Oracle account, email your CV to [e-mail] with the IRC number of the vacancy.

Salary is within a structured pay framework; offers are based on the advertised pay range. For more information refer to your pay.

Closing date: 8th October 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Contact

For more information about the vacancy contact Paul Rowley, Head of Commercial Delivery, or Mark Holt, Resourcing Business Partner.