Strategic Commercial Adviser for Major Water Projects

Ofwat; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30% pension contributions

25 days annual leave increasing to 30

Volunteering days

Professional body membership fees

Job summary

Ofwat invites applications for a Senior Associate Commercial Adviser to join the Major Projects Team. The role is based in London or Birmingham with hybrid working.

You will shape the commercial approach across a £50bn pipeline of major water and wastewater infrastructure, delivering procurement strategy, commercial assurance, and option development to support informed decisions. You will lead external suppliers, embed commercial frameworks and provide expert advice across the project lifecycle,

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in commercial management, estimating, quantity surveying or cost management.
• Experience on complex infrastructure projects or programmes, cost estimating and procurement strategy.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, evidence-based recommendations for decision-making.
• Experience delivering commercial input into procurement, tendering and contract strategy, with risk management.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills to engage stakeholders and manage conflicting views.
• Collaborative approach fostering knowledge sharing and development of commercial capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Ofwat's commercial approach across major water infrastructure projects.
• Lead external suppliers delivering commercial assurance and set clear requirements.
• Provide commercial analysis and governance support for assurance reports and project decisions.
• Advise on optioneering, business case development, procurement and contracting across programmes.
• Support procurement models such as DPC, SIPR and RAPID throughout project lifecycles.

Skills

Commercial management

Cost estimating

Benchmarking

Procurement strategy

Contract strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Professional qualification in commercial management (e.g. RICS)

Job description

Ofwat invites applications for a Senior Associate Commercial Adviser to join the Major Projects Team. The role is based in London or Birmingham with hybrid working.

You will shape the commercial approach across a £50bn pipeline of major water and wastewater infrastructure, delivering procurement strategy, commercial assurance, and option development to support informed decisions. You will lead external suppliers, embed commercial frameworks and provide expert advice across the project lifecycle,