Senior Commercial Manager (Major Projects)

OCU; Borehamwood; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to own the commercial strategy for a major energy project in Suffolk. You will lead end‑to‑end commercial management, from pre-construction through to final accounts, while coordinating with project teams to maximise value and manage risk.

You will oversee budgets, forecasts, cashflow, and financial reporting, ensuring contractual entitlements and payments are properly captured and delivered within a dynamic, high‑stakes environment.

Qualifications

• Leading the commercial strategy from project inception through to completion.
• Providing professional commercial management and contract administration across the project.
• Producing accurate budgets, forecasts, cost-to-complete reviews, and financial reporting.
• Managing subcontract procurement, negotiation, administration, and final accounts.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end commercial management for a major energy project.
• Support pre-construction activities including tender reviews and contract negotiations.
• Manage risks and opportunities to maximise project value and entitlement.
• Ensure timely submission of applications, valuations, notices, variations, and notices.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract administration

Budgeting & forecasting

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Description

Are you an experienced Senior Commercial Manager looking to take ownership of high-value, complex projects from concept through to completion? OCU are looking for a commercially astute leader who thrives on driving value, managing risk, and influencing project success.

Application Deadline

19 October 2026

Department

Large Energy Programmes

Location

Suffolk

Working alongside our Project Director and operational teams, you'll lead the commercial strategy on a major project in Suffolk, ensuring robust commercial management, effective contract administration, and strong financial performance throughout the project lifecycle.

If you're passionate about delivering results, building high-performing teams, and making a real commercial impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

As Commercial Manager, you'll have end-to-end responsibility for the commercial administration and management of a major energy project.

From supporting pre-construction and contract negotiations through to final accounts and project close-out, you'll ensure commercial excellence is embedded at every stage.

You’ll provide strategic commercial leadership, proactively manage risks and opportunities, maximise contract entitlement, and work collaboratively with project teams to deliver successful outcomes.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Leading the commercial strategy from project inception through to completion.
• Providing professional, proactive commercial management and contract administration across the project.
• Supporting pre-construction activities, including tender reviews, Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), feasibility stages, and contract negotiations.
• Managing commercial risks and identifying opportunities to maximise project value.
• Ensuring contractual entitlements, variations, claims, and cost recovery are fully demonstrated and secured.
• Producing accurate budgets, forecasts, cost-to-complete reviews, and financial reporting.
• Managing subcontract procurement, negotiation, administration, and final accounts.
• Building strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and project teams to minimise disputes and achieve project objectives.
• Ensuring timely submission of applications, valuations, payment notices, variations, and contractual notices.
• Monitoring project cashflow, debt, work in progress (WIP), revenue, margin, and profitability.
• Preparing and reviewing CVRs, monthly P&L reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and final accounts.
• Maintaining accurate project records and ensuring robust commercial governance.
• Leading, mentoring, and developing a team of Senior Quantity Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors, and Assistant Quantity Surveyors.
• Supporting continuous improvement and embedding best practice commercial processes across the business.

Job Benefits

At OCU, we believe that meaningful work should come with meaningful support. That's the principle behind Careers with Purpose, our commitment to ensuring every person at OCU feels supported, developed, and valued, not just in their role today, but throughout their career with us.

Alongside the opportunity to work on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects, we offer a benefits package that we are continuing to develop as we grow, and the kind of career acceleration that only comes from being inside a business moving at this pace.

As a rapidly growing organisation, there are genuine opportunities to progress, broaden your experience, and build a long-term career within OCU Group.

Our vacancies are typically advertised for two weeks; however, we reserve the right to close applications early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable candidates. We therefore encourage early applications.

To ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to join our team, please inform us if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment and interview process is, by emailing [e-mail].