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- Tasks: Lead commercial management for major highways projects and ensure effective cost control.
- Company: Join a leading infrastructure firm committed to innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a diverse work environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on major infrastructure projects while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management and NEC contract administration required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on high-profile projects with a collaborative team.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Senior Commercial Manager will lead commercial management across complex enabling and civils works packages within a major highways programme. This includes ground investigation, archaeology, ecology, drainage, and major civil engineering works, ensuring robust cost control, risk management, and contract administration throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Leadership (Package-Level)
- Lead commercial management for multiple complex works packages across the programme.
- Provide strategic commercial advice to Project Directors and Delivery Leads.
- Ensure alignment with overarching programme commercial strategy.
- Procurement & Contract Management
- Develop and deliver procurement strategies for enabling and civils works packages.
- Manage tender processes, evaluation, and contract award.
- Administer and manage contracts (primarily NEC3/NEC4), ensuring compliance and performance.
- Lead commercial negotiations with contractors and specialist suppliers.
- Complex Works Delivery
- Provide commercial oversight and control across:
- Ground investigation and geotechnical works
- Archaeological investigations and mitigation
- Environmental and ecological works
- Drainage and water management systems
- Major civils (earthworks, structures, highways works)
- Manage interfaces between multiple contractors and disciplines.
- Ensure early contractor involvement and effective package integration.
- Develop and maintain detailed cost plans and forecasts.
- Monitor budgets, track actuals, and manage variances.
- Produce accurate and timely commercial reports for senior stakeholders.
- Ensure value for money and cost optimisation across packages.
- Lead risk identification and commercial mitigation strategies.
- Manage compensation events, variations, and change control processes.
- Assess and respond to contractor claims, ensuring robust commercial positions.
- Support dispute avoidance and resolution.
- Build strong working relationships with contractors, consultants, and internal teams.
- Interface with environmental, planning, and engineering stakeholders.
- Promote collaborative behaviours while protecting commercial interests.
- Ensure compliance with internal governance and public procurement regulations.
- Maintain audit-ready commercial records and documentation.
- Support assurance reviews and approvals processes.
Key Requirements
- Experience
- Significant experience in commercial management on major highways or infrastructure projects (typically 100m+ packages).
- Strong experience managing complex enabling works, including:
- Ground investigation and geotechnical risk
- Archaeology and heritage constraints
- Environmental/ecology mitigation works
- Drainage and utilities interfaces
- Experience in major civils delivery (earthworks, structures, highways construction).
- Proven experience administering NEC contracts (NEC3/NEC4 essential).
- Experience in multi-contractor, high-interface environments.
- Strong commercial and contractual acumen.
- Advanced knowledge of NEC mechanisms (compensation events, programme, risk register).
- Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and cost management capability.
- Ability to manage complexity, uncertainty, and competing priorities.
- Clear and confident communication skills.
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Civil Engineering, or similar.
- Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. RICS, CICES) preferred.
- Postgraduate qualification desirable.
- Proactive, detail-oriented, and commercially driven.
- Collaborative but firm in protecting commercial outcomes.
- High level of integrity and professionalism.
- Strong problem-solving mindset in complex delivery environments.
- Experience on major UK highways or infrastructure programmes such as:
- Cross Rail
- Smart Motorways Programme
- Major Railway schemes
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Senior Commercial Manager in Basildon employer: Advance TRS
Contact Detail:
Advance TRS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in Basildon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and recent achievements, so you can tailor your answers to show you're the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to handle tough conversations. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience with NEC contracts and complex works, as well as any relevant projects you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your commercial management experience and how you’ve successfully navigated complex projects in the past.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and specific outcomes to demonstrate how you’ve added value in previous roles. We love seeing how you’ve made a difference in your past projects.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all your documents in one go. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance TRS
✨Know Your NEC Contracts
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts. Be prepared to discuss how you've administered these contracts in past projects, as this will show your expertise and understanding of the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples that highlight your commercial management skills, especially in high-value projects. Discuss specific instances where you successfully managed costs, mitigated risks, or navigated complex negotiations to demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Think about how you've built relationships with various stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to share stories that illustrate your ability to collaborate effectively while still protecting commercial interests, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Anticipate questions related to managing multiple contractors and disciplines. Prepare to discuss how you've handled interfaces in past projects, including any challenges faced and how you resolved them, showcasing your problem-solving mindset.