Senior Commercial Manager

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Defined benefit pension scheme

Rail travel discounts

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Commercial professional to drive strategic procurement and commercial management across major projects. You will lead framework agreements, oversee performance reviews, and shape cost management throughout project lifecycles.

Ideal candidates have railway/construction contract experience, NEC4 knowledge, and strong leadership with excellent communication skills. Hybrid working and extensive employee benefits are available.

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent and professional qualification.
• Experience in resolving construction contract disputes.
• Demonstrable railway/construction sector experience.
• Knowledge of railway commercial contract management.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Experience in managing and developing a team.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement commercial strategies, including project cost management and procurement support.
• Lead commercial management of framework agreements and contractor performance reviews.
• Lead estimating, risk and value management across projects and mitigate risks.
• Lead price negotiations under contracts and contribute to risk workshops.
• Monitor project reporting, explain variances, and propose mitigations.

Skills

Railway/Construction contract terms

Dispute resolution experience

Railway commercial contract management

Team leadership & development

Contract performance review & meetings

Negotiation of prices under contracts

Cost analysis & budgeting

NEC4 Contracts knowledge

Education

Degree or equivalent + professional qualification

Job description

Join Network Rail ! Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

Safe behaviouris a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .

We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered

Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days

Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)

Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets

Volunteer leave to make a positive impact

About the role

• Duration: Permanent
• Location: This role is based at The Quadrant, Milton Keynes. This role is a full-time opportunity, flexible working patterns will be considered. Please note for this role you must living within 90 minutes of The Quadrant, Milton Keynes.

About The Role Section

• Establish and implement effective commercial strategies, including project cost management, and provide feedback to support future procurement activities.
• Provide commercial management of framework agreements and supporting contracts, leading commercial reviews of contractor performance and attending valuation and progress meetings where required.
• Lead the estimating, risk and value management activities throughout the project lifecycle, identifying commercial risks early and recommending appropriate mitigating actions.
• Lead price negotiations under existing contracts and framework agreements, including target cost negotiations, and contribute fully to Quantitative Risk Assessment and Value Management workshops.
• Monitor and manage project reporting, ensuring information is accurately maintained in line with company reporting systems. Analyse and explain variances against forecasts, budgets and outturn costs, recommending mitigating actions where required.
• Lead and support the commercial team across live projects, ensuring resources are effectively deployed to meet project requirements.
• Provide proactive commercial advice, expertise and governance on contract and scope changes, ensuring compliance with change control processes and supporting the timely resolution of contract variations.
• Manage commercial correspondence and contractual notices in accordance with contractual requirements, ensuring Network Rail's contractual position is clearly established and maintained.
• Identify emerging commercial issues, support the management of contractual claims, and assist in the resolution of legal and commercial disputes in partnership with functional teams.
• Implement and maintain appropriate compliance controls and audit processes to ensure adherence to Network Rail procedures, group policies and company standards.
• Lead final account settlements and project close-out activities, ensuring completion in line with project authorities, plans and agreed timescales.
• Monitor multi-year framework agreements and reconcile annual accounts within required deadlines.
• Support continuous improvement and efficiency initiatives by undertaking cost analysis of completed projects and providing feedback through the Cost Allocation Feedback process.
• Support pre- and post-contract procurement activities while acting as a role model for commercial colleagues through coaching and development.

About the team

You'll be joining a supportive and collaborative Commercial Services team that sits within Commercial & Procurement. This team plays a key role in keeping Britain's railways running efficiently and safely. You will support a wide range of Contracts largely within the signalling environment, but we work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across the business to deliver value for money, ensure compliance, and support strategic objectives. It's a fast-paced and dynamic environment where your ideas are valued, and professional development is encouraged.

Hear what some of our brilliant team members think about Network Rail in this video

Your experience and skills

Who are we looking for?

• Knowledge of railway and construction industry conditions of contract
• Educated to degree level or equivalent and professional qualification.
• Experience of resolution of construction contract disputes
• Demonstrable relevant railway and/or construction experience
• Knowledge of railway commercial contract management

Please see attached job description for full details.

• Experience of managing and developing a team of staff
• Good communication skills both written and oral
• Experience of contractors accounts and/or actual cost auditing
• Understanding and use of NEC4 Condition's of Contract

Additional Information

Contact: If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments, please contact David McAuslan (hiring manager)

Closing date: Friday 30 th October. On occasions, we may need to close the advert early based upon application volumes. Late applications may not be accepted.

Next Steps: Interviews will be held W/C 30 th November, depending on business requirements.

Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our Safety Vision

Business, Commercial and Project Management