Commercial Manager UKIFS

The Commercial Manager is a senior commercial professional responsible for the either (or both) pre and post contract commercial activity that could include procurement (strategy and delivery) financial management cost control and commercial assurance of complex construction engineering and/ or infrastructure contracts within one or more Integrated Project Teams (IPTs).

Operating with a degree of autonomy the role holder provides expert commercial advice across the full project lifecyclefrom cost planning and procurement through to final account agreement. The role holder will work closely with internal stakeholders external partners and key suppliers to ensure the successful execution of contracts with a focus on alliancing collaborative working and delivering business objectives. This position is pivotal to ensuring that all contractual obligations are met and value for money is continually delivered all while maintaining regulatory and contractual compliance and enabling seamless collaboration across the organisation and its strategic partners. Depending on the IPT or business unit the role holder is deployed in duties of the role will be delivered in line with RICS or CIPS professional standards organisational governance and regulatory requirements (including PA23 where applicable).

The role holder be accountable for the oversight of one or more contracts or procurements within their area acting as the STEP commercial representative on contracts or procurements where authority is delegated from the Lead Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial Manager.

Pre-contract and Procurement

Dependent on the specifics of the role and IPT the role holder is deployed in the role holder will be required to:

• Support the drafting review and negotiation of complex contracts including but not limited to joint venture agreements supply contracts construction agreements and service contracts specific to the IPT or business unit.
• Collaborate with technical legal and sourcing teams to ensure that contract terms reflect project objectives regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
• Assess and identify potential risks within contracts and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Collaborate with technical stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate performance metrics in contracts.
• Lead in the management and delivery of procurements within a regulated environment.

Cost Management & Commercial Control

Dependent on the specifics of the role and IPT the role holder is deployed in the role holder will be required to:

• Lead the cost management of major construction infrastructure or engineering contracts ensuring accurate forecasting budgetary control and cost assurance.
• Manage and be accountable for:

o Cost plans and cost breakdown structures

o Target costs and pain/gain mechanisms

o Forecasts cashflows and earned value metrics.

• Provide authoritative advice on commercial and cost impacts of design development scope change and programme movement.
• Be accountable for the management of costs in line with approved budgets governance thresholds and delegated authorities.

Measurement Valuation & Change Control.

• Ensure change is being managed effectively on contracts within the role holders portfolio e.g. properly instructed valued negotiated and recorded in accordance with contractual mechanisms (e.g. NEC).
• Be accountable for ensuring that contractor submissions deliver value for money robustness and contractual compliance.
• Support direct reports in reaching agreement on final accounts and ensure timely controlled contract close-out

Contract Support.

• Provide expert guidance to direct reports on contract selection pricing mechanisms risk allocation and commercial models.
• Lead commercial negotiations at tender and post-contract stages.
• Be accountable for ensuring contracts are administered in line with agreed terms governance standards and regulatory requirements.

Risk Claims & Dispute Management

• Provide expert guidance and leadership in the management of cost and commercial risks ensuring mitigation strategies are developed and implemented.
• Lead dispute avoidance activities through early intervention commercial negotiation and robust contract administration.
• Provide expertise and leadership in formal dispute resolution processes where required.
• Support the Lead Commercial Manager and Senior Commercial Manager in resolution of complex and/or escalated issues and disputes.

Reporting Governance & Assurance

• Produce and present high-quality cost and commercial reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate auditable cost and contract records in line with organisational and regulatory requirements across the role holders portfolio.
• Support internal and external audits and provide professional commercial assurance.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost management processes data quality and reporting discipline.

Stakeholder Management & Leadership

• Build and maintain trusted relationships within the wider Commercial team Project Managers Engineers Finance and senior stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation as the lead cost and commercial authority in meetings with contractors and delivery partners.
• Provide mentoring guidance and professional oversight to direct reports and other commercial colleagues.
• Act as a role model for professional integrity ethical behaviour and organisational values.

Embody a Leadership Mindset

• Regardless of your formal position you embody a leadership mindset and a set of leadership behaviours.  You embrace and embody our organizations culture values and mission in all aspects of your work.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values.
• Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace valuing diversity and promoting teamwork.
• Act as a cultural ambassador representing our organizations values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues clients and stakeholders.
• Lead by example demonstrating integrity professionalism and ethical behaviour.
• Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested.

Qualifications :

We are looking for a strategic and results-driven contract professional with a strong background in engineering infrastructure or major project contract management. 

Essential Skills & Experience: 

• Significant experience in commercial and/ or Procurement on construction infrastructure engineering projects or similar.
• Proven ability to manage high-value high-risk contracts across the project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of standard forms of contract (e.g. NEC bespoke construction contracts).
• Demonstrable expertise in cost forecasting valuation change control and final accounts.
• Excellent analytical negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable Experience: 

• Experience working in highly regulated or public-sector environments.
• Experience supporting or managing quantity surveying/ procurement staff.
• Familiarity with assurance governance and delegated authority frameworks.

Additional Information :

We welcome applications from under-represented groups particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. Our Executive team supported by our Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. 

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email  if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis for example changes to the way we interview or share information.  

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.  Whilst not required at this time there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future.  If a candidate already holds an SC clearance that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.  

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.  We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time