Senior Commercial Manager - Capital

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust invites an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to lead the commercial management of our capital programme. You will oversee financial, contractual and procurement aspects across a diverse portfolio and work with project teams, Finance, Procurement and external partners to ensure value for money and successful outcomes.

You will provide expert advice on NEC/JCT contracts, shape Estates Strategy, set budgets, forecast, report and mentor colleagues.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Construction, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, Building Services or related discipline.
• Membership of a professional body such as RICS, CIOB, CIBSE, IHEEM or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial and financial management of major capital projects and programmes.
• Oversee capital budget setting, forecasting, accruals and financial performance reporting.
• Provide expert advice on construction contracts, including NEC and JCT.
• Lead on commercial aspects of procurement exercises, tender evaluations and contract management.
• Identify and manage commercial and financial risks, ensuring projects remain affordable.

Skills

Budget management

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

NHS/public sector experience

Education

Degree or equivalent in Construction/Engineering

Tools

NEC contracts

JCT contracts

Job description

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust. Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to join our Capital Team and take a leading role in the commercial management of our ambitious capital programme.

This is a senior and influential position, providing expert commercial leadership across a capital programme of approximately £100m. You will work closely with project teams, Finance, Procurement, property consultants, contractors and senior stakeholders to ensure our investment delivers excellent value for money and successful outcomes for our patients, staff and services.

We’re looking for an experienced commercial professional with a strong background in capital projects, budget management and construction contracts, including NEC and/or JCT. You’ll have a relevant qualification or equivalent experience, appropriate professional membership, and the confidence to provide expert commercial advice and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Main duties of the job

As our commercial lead for capital projects, you will oversee the financial, contractual and procurement aspects of a diverse portfolio of projects and provide specialist advice throughout their development and delivery.

You will lead on budget setting, forecasting, financial reporting and commercial governance, as well as supporting complex procurement and contractual matters. You will also play an important role in shaping our longer-term capital plans and Estates Strategy.

Working as part of the senior Capital Team, you will:

• Lead the commercial and financial management of major capital projects and programmes.
• Oversee capital budget setting, forecasting, accruals and financial performance reporting.
• Provide expert advice on construction contracts, including NEC and JCT.
• Lead on commercial aspects of procurement exercises, tender evaluations and contract management.
• Identify and manage commercial and financial risks, ensuring projects remain affordable and deliver value for money.
• Lead and support negotiations with contractors, consultants and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Help develop commercial policies, processes and ways of working across the Capital Team.
• Mentor and develop colleagues, strengthening commercial capability across the wider team.
• Promote innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement throughout our capital programme.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Qualifications

• A Degree, HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Construction, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, Building Services or a related discipline. Equivalent professional knowledge gained through significant relevant experience.
• Degree or equivalent professional experience
• A Membership of an appropriate professional body such as RICS, CIOB, CIBSE, IHEEM or equivalent

Experience

• Significant experience of managing large Capital budgets and delivering projects within budgetary limits
• Significant experience as a commercial lead
• Practical experience completing building projects of varying values.
• Experience of leading and managing/ motivating professional services teams
• Knowledge and Experience of Building Contracts, NEC or JCT
• NHS or public sector experience
• Significant experience working with NHS capital procurement.
• Experience working in an acute hospital environment.

Skills

• Ability to interpret complex financial, contractual and technical information
• Extensive commercial and financial management expertise.
• Strong understanding of capital project delivery and programme management.
• Advanced budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting skills.
• Knowledge of NEC and/or JCT contracts
• Knowledge of NHS governance and procurement requirements
• Knowledge of Health Technical Memoranda (HTMs) and Health Building Notes (HBNs).
• Understanding of NHS capital investment processes

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.