Senior Commercial Manager

Mace; Branchburg Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to lead all commercial, contractual, financial, and risk activities for the Hudson Tunnel Project, a major North American infrastructure program. You will oversee contracts, governance, cost control, and change management across multiple design and construction packages.

You will collaborate with project leadership, engineering, procurement, legal, and stakeholders to safeguard commercial interests while supporting delivery of scope, schedule, and

Qualifications

• 15+ years of commercial management experience on major infrastructure projects.
• Experience with contracts valued over $500M.
• Knowledge of public-sector infrastructure programs and delivery methods.
• Strong background in change/claims management and contract administration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the commercial management strategy for project packages and contracts.
• Provide strategic commercial advice to leadership on rights, obligations, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead commercial teams across design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Manage contract reviews, negotiations, amendments, and closeout activities.
• Monitor cost forecasting, budgeting, cash flow, and financial reporting.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract negotiations

Cost control

Risk management

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition. We believe in creating places that are responsible, bringing transformative impact to our people, communities, and societies across the globe. To learn more about our purpose, culture, and priorities, visit our strategy site.

Within our consult business we harness our unique combination of leading-edge practical expertise and project deliveryconsultancy to unlock the potential in every project.

The Project: The Senior Commercial Manager is responsible for leading all commercial, contractual, financial, and risk management activities associated with the Hudson Tunnel Project, one of the largest and most complex transportation infrastructure programs in North America. The role ensures the effective administration of major construction contracts, safeguarding the project's commercial interests while supporting successful delivery of scope, schedule, quality, safety, and budget objectives. Working closely with project leadership, engineering, construction, procurement, legal, and stakeholder teams, the Senior Commercial Manager will oversee commercial strategy, contract management, cost control, change management, claims avoidance and resolution, and commercial governance across multiple design and construction packages.

Our Values

• Safety first - Going home safe and well
• Client focus - Deliver on our promise
• Integrity - Always do the right thing
• Create opportunity - for our people to excel

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Develop and implement the commercial management strategy for assigned project packages and contracts.
• Provide strategic commercial advice to project leadership regarding contractual rights, obligations, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead commercial teams supporting design, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.
• Establish and maintain commercial governance processes, procedures, and reporting requirements.
• Manage the administration of major construction, design-build, professional services, and supplier contracts.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, project requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Lead contract reviews, negotiations, amendments, and commercial closeout activities.
• Monitor contractor performance against contractual deliverables and key milestones.
• Oversee project cost forecasting, budgeting, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
• Monitor project expenditures and commitments to ensure alignment with approved budgets.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement value-engineering initiatives where appropriate.
• Support project controls teams in maintaining accurate cost and commercial performance data.
• Lead evaluation and negotiation of contract variations, change orders, and compensation events.
• Establish robust processes for tracking, pricing, evaluating, and approving changes.
• Ensure timely resolution of commercial impacts arising from design development, site conditions, and construction activities.
• Collaborate with project teams to minimize commercial exposure associated with changes.
• Develop proactive strategies to prevent claims and disputes.
• Manage preparation, evaluation, negotiation, and settlement of contractor and subcontractor claims.
• Coordinate with legal counsel and executive management on high-value or complex disputes.
• Maintain comprehensive records supporting contract administration and claim resolution.
• Identify, assess, and manage commercial and contractual risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain project risk registers and mitigation plans related to commercial matters.
• Support procurement and project teams in evaluating commercial risks associated with new contracts and procurement activities.
• Provide recommendations to leadership regarding risk transfer and mitigation strategies.
• Build strong working relationships with project owners, contractors, consultants, funding agencies, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Participate in executive meetings, commercial reviews, and governance forums.
• Support reporting requirements for senior management, public agencies, and funding partners.
• Facilitate collaborative resolution of complex commercial issues among stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and develop commercial and contract management personnel.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support workforce planning and resource allocation across project commercial functions.

You’ll Need To Have

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 15+ years of commercial management experience on major infrastructure, transportation, tunneling, rail, transit, or heavy civil projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing contracts valued in excess of $500 million.
• Experience with complex public-sector infrastructure programs and alternative delivery methods.
• Proven track record in change management, claims management, commercial negotiations, and contract administration.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, procurement practices, and project delivery methodologies.
• Knowledge of FIDIC, NEC, Design-Build, CM/GC, EPC, or comparable contract frameworks.
• Familiarity with project controls, cost management systems, scheduling, and earned value reporting.
• Strong commercial acumen with advanced financial and analytical capabilities.
• Professional certifications such as:
• MRICS / FRICS
• CCM (Certified Construction Manager)
• PMP (Project Management Professional)
• PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional)
• Certified Cost Professional (CCP)

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role.