Senior Commercial Manager (Building Services)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Health & wellbeing programs

Gymflex and wellbeing benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

WSP is seeking a senior commercial professional to lead the commercial management of Building Services and multi-d project frameworks at Heathrow. You will drive cost planning, risk management, and financial governance across projects, reporting to senior leadership and collaborating with teams across our Heathrow office and UK network.

You will influence bids, pricing strategies, and delivery models, ensuring robust commercial performance while maintaining strong client relationships and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in commercial management, cost control, and financial planning within construction/building services, aviation or major infrastructure environments.
• Experience in managing commercial processes, systems, and tools (including cost management systems, forecasting tools, and ERP).
• In-depth understanding of commercial and contractual management, NEC/JCT contracts, change control, variations, and claims management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of Building Services and multi-d projects and frameworks at Heathrow, providing strategic direction across the project lifecycle.
• Influence business and project decisions to optimise commercial outcomes, balancing risk and opportunity.
• Provide early commercial input into bids, pricing strategies, and delivery models.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Project Directors and senior leadership on commercial matters.

Skills

Commercial management

Cost control

Forecasting

NEC/JCT contracts

Leadership

Client negotiations

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Tools

ERP systems

Cost management tools

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Job Description What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? To find out more about our Property and Buildings business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Property and Buildings | WSP At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role… You will be central to the highly collaborative Services South team; based across the Heathrow office primarily. Your role will be at the heart of our high performing team, using your skills and expertise to help us continue driving forward in terms of both technical quality and service efficiency; whilst leading the teams senior engineers in their day to day project management activities.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leadership: Leading and mentoring commercial team members, ensuring effective coordination between commercial, project, and technical teams. Providing clear commercial direction to support delivery outcomes aligned with programme, budget, and contractual requirements.
• Commercial Management: Developing and managing commercial strategies and controls across projects, including cost planning, forecasting, and reporting. Supporting the setup of projects within financial systems (including Task 99 structures), ensuring appropriate allocation of budgets, cost tracking, and financial governance across workstreams.
• Financial Management: Producing and overseeing financial reports, including cost forecasts, revenue tracking, invoicing, cash collection, and contribution to monthly project reviews. Identifying commercial risks and opportunities and supporting actions to maintain or improve project financial performance.
• Business Development: Leading or supporting the commercial aspects of tender bids, including pricing strategies, commercial risk assessments, and contractual inputs. Working with wider WSP teams to support cross-selling opportunities and ensure commercially robust proposals.
• Client Relations: Building and maintaining relationships with clients, supporting commercial discussions, negotiations, and agreement of changes. Working collaboratively with project and client teams to achieve commercially sound outcomes while supporting overall project objectives.
• Compliance: Supporting adherence to contractual obligations, governance processes, and financial controls. Contributing to audit requirements, maintaining clear commercial records, and supporting compliance with internal policies and client-specific commercial frameworks.

Your Team

• Our team is comprised of approximately 60 engineers working across the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health specialisms
• Our team is split across our Brighton, Southampton, Heathrow, Basingstoke and Guildford offices giving the flexibility or work in either location on any given day. Many of our team choose to alternate the office they work in to suit personal and client needs.
• As part of our team, you would be working on some of our major projects predominantly at Heathrow Airport. This will be as part of a multi-disciplinary offering and so experience in building services, structural and civil engineering disciplines will be an advantage.
• You will be reporting to our Director that manages the various Frameworks at London Heathrow.
• You will be able to utilise graduate, assistant, senior and principal engineers in supporting roles around you, as well as dedicated BIM and Sustainability specialists to contribute to the successful delivery of your projects.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Extensive experience in commercial management, cost control, and financial planning within the construction or Building Services sector, within aviation or major infrastructure environments.
• Experience in managing commercial processes, systems, and tools (including cost management systems, forecasting tools, and enterprise resource planning), ensuring robust financial control across projects and programmes.
• In-depth understanding of commercial and contractual management, including administration of NEC/JCT contracts, change control, variations, and claims management.
• Proven ability to lead commercial activities independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing clear commercial direction and influencing project outcomes.
• Experience in managing the commercial aspects of technical projects within property and buildings, with a clear understanding of how design and delivery decisions impact cost, risk, and margin.
• Ability to represent WSP in commercial discussions with clients, contractors, and supply chain partners, supporting negotiations and ensuring commercially sound outcomes aligned with client objectives.
• Have financial acumen, including experience in forecasting, cost reporting, margin management, and identifying commercial risks and opportunities.
• Recent, demonstrable experience in leading commercial management across complex projects, including managing contractual risk, supporting dispute resolution, and driving improved commercial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of Building Services and multi-d projects and frameworks at Heathrow, providing strategic direction across the project lifecycle
• Influence business and project decisions to optimise commercial outcomes, balancing risk and opportunity
• Provide early commercial input into bids, pricing strategies, and delivery models
• Act as a trusted advisor to Project Directors and senior leadership on commercial matters

Contract Management & Administration

• Oversee the administration of contracts (e.g. NEC, bespoke Heathrow forms), ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and risk positions
• Lead contract negotiations, variations, and change control processes, ensuring robust commercial governance
• Provide clear interpretation of contract provisions to project teams, supporting informed decision-making
• Manage and respond to contractual correspondence, notices, and claims

Financial Management & Reporting

• Lead financial monitoring and reporting across projects, including cost management, revenue forecasting, and margin analysis
• Ensure that financial data is accurate, consistent, and aligned with project and business reporting requirements
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities affecting financial performance and provide actionable insights
• Support the development of robust cost plans and financial controls

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Identify commercial risks and opportunities at project and portfolio level
• Develop and implement mitigation or enhancement strategies to protect and improve commercial performance
• Maintain clear visibility of risk exposure and ensure alignment with governance processes
• Support resolution of disputes and commercial challenges through structured negotiation

Supply Chain & Procurement

• Oversee procurement strategies for Building Services packages, ensuring value for money and alignment with project objectives
• Manage relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors, including performance monitoring and issue resolution
• Ensure that supply chain engagements are commercially robust and compliant with contractual requirements

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with internal teams, clients, and supply chain partners to support effective commercial decision-making
• Build strong relationships with Heathrow commercial and programme teams
• Provide clear commercial advice to non-commercial stakeholders, supporting informed and balanced decisions

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop commercial team members, supporting professional development (e.g. MRICS progression)
• Promote consistency and best practice in commercial management across the team
• Support recruitment and capability planning in line with business needs

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.