At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex contracts and manage a team to ensure effective delivery.
- Company: AWE, a vital organisation focused on national safety through nuclear science.
- Benefits: Flexible 9-day working fortnight, generous leave, and market-leading pension scheme.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working options and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex contracts and leading teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 85000 £ per year.
AWE is an organisation with a unique and vital purpose: protecting the UK through world-class nuclear science and technology. Acting as a senior leader within the Commercial function, you will play a key role in the management of complex infrastructure and utilities contracts, supporting the safe, assured and value-for-money delivery of critical programmes.
Location: Reading (with occasional travel to Aldermaston and Burghfield)
Salary: £63,000 - £85,000 (dependent on experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight with flexible working options.
Ready to play your part? At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Our work underpins national safety and security.
As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy, applying sound commercial judgement to manage risk, performance and contractual relationships in complex environments. You will also lead and develop a team of contract management professionals, ensuring contracts are effectively administered and managed, and that consistent standards are applied across delivery.
What you will do:
- Act as Senior Commercial Manager for complex infrastructure / utilities contracts across delivery.
- Lead the management of contract performance, risk, change and compliance, ensuring delivery of value and objectives.
- Manage, develop and support a team responsible for contract administration and delivery.
- Support the development and implementation of contract management frameworks, governance and standards.
- Manage supplier relationships, including performance reviews, issue resolution and contract change.
- Contribute to the resolution of contractual issues and disputes, working with stakeholders and suppliers.
- Provide commercial advice and guidance to stakeholders across the business.
- Work collaboratively with procurement and project teams to ensure continuity across the commercial lifecycle.
What success looks like in this role:
- Making effective decisions: Applies sound commercial judgement in complex and sometimes ambiguous situations. Makes informed decisions within their delegated authority, escalating where appropriate. Balances risk, assurance and delivery pace to support programme outcomes.
- Seeing the big picture: Understands how contracts contribute to wider programme and organisational objectives. Considers risk, value and delivery outcomes when making decisions. Recognises emerging issues early and takes action to manage them.
- Communicating and influencing: Builds effective relationships with stakeholders and suppliers. Communicates contractual issues clearly and with confidence. Supports the resolution of challenging or contentious commercial situations.
- Leadership: Leads and supports a team to deliver contract management activity effectively. Provides coaching, guidance and day-to-day leadership to others. Promotes consistent standards and ways of working across contract management.
Experience we are looking for:
We are interested in your experience and how you apply it, not specific qualifications. You are likely to have experience in:
- Managing complex infrastructure, utilities or engineering contracts through delivery.
- Leading or supporting contract management teams.
- Managing supplier performance, contract change and commercial risk.
- Working within complex or regulated environments.
- Applying structured contract management approaches and governance.
- Experience of NEC contracts, contract administration tools such as CEMAR, or similar environments is beneficial, but not essential.
Background and qualifications:
We are not prescriptive about qualifications. If you have the experience, judgement and behaviours needed to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply regardless of your formal background.
Work hard, be rewarded: We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:
- 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
- Hybrid working is available on a non-contractual basis (typically 2-3 days onsite per week).
Senior Commercial Manager in Reading employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Senior Commercial Manager at All The Top Bananas!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like All The Top Bananas or be willing to refer you for that Senior Commercial Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from All The Top Bananas who’s on the lookout for their next Senior Commercial Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Senior Commercial Manager role at All The Top Bananas!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at All The Top Bananas. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at All The Top Bananas. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!