Job Description:

Location: Chester
Sector: Utilities / Gas / Construction

A leading infrastructure contractor is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to join its team in Chester, taking a senior role in the commercial management of construction and infrastructure projects.

The ideal candidate will come from a utilities or gas background, with experience managing the commercial performance of complex infrastructure contracts. However, candidates from a strong Tier 1 contracting background will also be considered, provided they have significant construction experience and a proven commercial track record.

This is a senior position requiring someone who can provide commercial leadership, protect contractual entitlement, manage risk and work closely with operational teams to drive strong financial performance across a portfolio of projects.

As Senior Commercial Manager, you will provide commercial leadership across a portfolio of projects, working closely with operational, project and senior management teams.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Taking senior commercial responsibility for construction and infrastructure projects from pre-contract through delivery and final account.
• Managing project commercial performance, ensuring appropriate controls are maintained around cost, value, cash and margin.
• Leading CVR processes, forecasting and cost-to-complete reviews across the project portfolio.
• Managing contractual risk and ensuring commercial opportunities and potential liabilities are identified at an early stage.
• Providing commercial support and challenge to Project Managers, Contracts Managers and operational teams.
• Managing change control, variations, compensation events and contractual correspondence.
• Ensuring contractual entitlement is identified, substantiated and appropriately administered.
• Leading subcontractor procurement, negotiation and commercial management throughout project delivery.
• Reviewing subcontractor performance, applications, variations and final accounts.
• Supporting tendering and pre-contract activities, including commercial reviews, risk assessments and contract negotiations.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients, supply-chain partners and key stakeholders.
• Producing accurate commercial forecasts and reporting to the senior leadership team.
• Supporting the resolution of contractual and commercial disputes where required.
• Driving consistent commercial governance and commercial best practice across the business.
• Mentoring and developing members of the commercial and Quantity Surveying team.

We are looking for an established commercial professional with significant experience within construction and infrastructure.

Ideally, you will have:

• Strong utilities or gas sector experience, ideally gained within a contractor environment.
• Significant construction and infrastructure commercial management experience.
• Alternatively, a strong Tier 1 contractor background with responsibility for major construction or infrastructure projects.
• Previous experience at Senior Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager or senior Quantity Surveying level.
• Strong knowledge of NEC contracts and commercial contract administration.
• Extensive experience of CVRs, forecasting, cost-to-complete, cash flow and margin management.
• Strong understanding of change management, variations, compensation events and contractual entitlement.
• Experience managing subcontract procurement and complex supply chains.
• Strong commercial negotiation and contract management capability.
• Experience working closely with operational and project delivery teams.
• Ability to identify commercial risk and implement practical strategies to protect project and business performance.
• Strong client and senior stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or construction-related qualifications would be advantageous.

This is an opportunity to take on a key senior commercial position within an established infrastructure contractor, with responsibility for supporting the commercial performance and governance of a significant project portfolio.

The position would particularly suit a Senior Commercial Manager from the utilities or gas sector looking for their next senior appointment. Applications are also welcomed from commercially strong Tier 1 construction professionals with major infrastructure experience who are interested in moving into the utilities sector.