Commercial Manager - Rail - (Assistant, Intermediate & Senior) - #2170472

Commercial Manager – Major Infrastructure

Location: Birmingham | Hybrid Working

Role Overview

We are recruiting a Commercial Manager to lead and assure commercial activities within integrated delivery teams across high-value, complex civil engineering and infrastructure contracts. Working directly alongside tier-1 contractors and supply chains, this role provides critical commercial management, governance, and NEC contract administration to ensure major capital packages deliver long-term value for money and alignment with overall programme goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. Pre-Contract & Procurement

• Develop commercial Works Information, align contract documentation with procurement plans, and ensure cross-functional scope integrity.
• Evaluate tenders, support moderation processes to contract award, and contribute to contract management plan development.

2. Post-Contract & Commercial Management

• Administer NEC3/NEC4 contract obligations on behalf of the Project Manager, evaluating variations, compensation events, contract payments, and performance incentives.
• Maintain rigorous cost verification, analyse monthly supply chain performance, and input key commercial metrics into monthly reporting dashboards.
• Conduct contract and programme reviews, update final cost estimates, and provide day-to-day commercial and contractual advice to delivery teams.
• Identify, evaluate, and present business cases for value engineering, cost savings, and commercial efficiencies.

3. Leadership, Governance & Risk Control

• Direct and mentor direct reports, including Assistant Commercial Managers and Contract Administrators.
• Execute corporate governance approvals for project change and risk drawdowns.
• Lead cost estimating reviews across all project stages.
• Facilitate dispute resolution, build collaborative relationships with key contractors, and promote a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Major Infrastructure Background: Proven track record managing commercial delivery on complex civil engineering, building, or systems infrastructure projects (£500M–£4B aggregate value).
• Public Sector & Governance: Experience working with or within publicly funded bodies, with a solid grasp of public procurement frameworks (e.g., UCR/PCR).
• Contract Administration: In-depth experience administering NEC standard forms of contract, including early warnings, compensation events, payment assessments, and cost verification.
• Team Leadership: Experience managing commercial professionals, developing capability, and driving delivery performance.
• Audit and Cost Verification experience

Technical Competencies & Skills

• Proficient in cost control, estimating, cash flow forecasting, risk management, and value engineering.
• Demonstrated ability in commercial strategy development, negotiation, dispute resolution, and supply chain management.
• Excellent communication skills to interface effectively across multidisciplinary delivery teams, finance directorates, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or Civil Engineering. RICS membership (or working towards) is highly desirable.