Lead Commercial Manager - Water in Birmingham

Lead Commercial Manager – Water (Affordable Houses Ltd.)

We are seeking a dynamic leader to oversee high-value contracts in the Water & Environment sector, with opportunities to expand into Defence and Nuclear. This role is ideal for a commercially astute leader with deep infrastructure experience, passion for driving value, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Your Role & Impact

• Lead a team of commercial professionals across multi-million-pound contracts.
• Provide strategic oversight from procurement through to close‑out, ensuring alignment with project timelines, budgets, and risk profiles.
• Engage with senior stakeholders, regulators, and delivery partners to ensure commercial integrity and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Build, lead and develop the commercial and cost management function into a high‑performing team.
• Support the work‑winning team to review and identify risks and accountabilities within tender packs and contractual terms.
• Prepare, develop and implement commercial solutions to support work‑winning.
• Lead commercial delivery across complex, multi‑workstream programmes.
• Oversee contract execution, supplier performance and risk mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with NEC3/4 and FIDIC contracts, UK law, and regulatory frameworks.
• Guide procurement strategy and contract preparation across all phases.
• Support feasibility studies, benchmarking, and value management.
• Lead cost planning, estimating, and final cost plan presentation.
• Manage post‑contract cost variances, valuations, and change control.
• Oversee final account negotiation and post‑project evaluation.
• Act as a trusted interface with clients, consultants, and delivery teams.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to shape client‑focused bids.
• Provide commercial insight to strengthen proposal strategy.
• Maintain a robust database of lessons learned and bid outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement across commercial processes and tools.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Strong financial modelling experience.
• Excellent client‑facing and supply‑chain‑facing skills.
• Expert commercial acumen and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience in managing teams and inspiring & motivating people.
• Extensive experience in water, environment, defence, or nuclear sectors.
• Strong knowledge of CDM regulations and risk management.
• NEC3/4 contract expertise (Options A, C, E essential).
• Experience with ECI/ESI in design & build programmes.
• Valid CSCS card; Water Hygiene Card desirable.
• Line management experience and ability to mentor junior QSs.
• Role subject to client interview and acceptance.

Location and Hours

West Midlands‑based (4 days at client’s office and 1 day WFH).

We’re committed to our planet

Our commitment is translated into the work carried out by our foundation, which funds concrete actions to address the climate crisis and focuses on educational and social initiatives that help in the responsible and sustainable shift towards a sustainable world.

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and we strive to build a workforce that truly reflects the communities we represent. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and any other protected characteristic.