Commercial / Contracts Manager in Bristol

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Job Overview

The postholder will work collaboratively with the other Commercial Managers within the small team to provide commercial support to successfully manage the Responsible Designer (RD) contract on the project, acting as the first line of commercial contact to the HPC Project and Engineering community for commercial RD matters. It is envisaged that the successfully applicant will manage the commercial aspects for a defined scope area(s) of the RD contract and provide support to the Commercial Assistant activities that are completed within the team.

Principal Accountabilities & Deliverables

In this role, the successful candidate will act under the leadership of the Senior Commercial Manager. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Ensuring all principal accountabilities for the contract commercial team are implemented in accordance with project commercial procedures.
• Adopting the role of ‘Intelligent Customer’, ensuring that stakeholder expectations are met regarding commercial probity, value and that the supply chain is treated fairly and equitably.
• Leading in the engagement with the supply chain based on collaborative working principles and applying the skills of supporting, coaching, enabling and facilitating team members through change; thereby building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders.
• Managing a key scope of work in the commercial management of contracts during the execution phase – including the management of change via Compensation Events.
• Overseeing contract commercial relationships. Work with collaborative behaviours in a spirit of mutual trust and cooperation. Seeking to achieve equitable outcomes for all parties to facilitate early commercial close-out of contentious topics.
• Consideration of the nuclear baseline and distribution of nuclear safety significant responsibilities within the team; ensuring people are aware of the needs of a strong nuclear safety culture.
• Professional development of self and people within the team.
• Responsibilities under the approved Supply Chain Policy managing contracts and being a direct interface with the supply chain to ensure an embedded nuclear safety culture; the right level of oversight, control and surveillance of contractor activities are set up in the project and the supply chain.
• Reporting and providing support to a Senior Commercial Manager or Supply Chain Lead including assessing the scope, duration and expected value of compensation events, always within the commercial requirements of the contract.
• Providing commercial management for the delivery of contract final account agreements (close-out). Commercial Managers must provide commercial support to the Project Manager in the effective delivery of the contract and ensure formal completion and closure of all the Project Contracts, identification and recording of commercial lessons learnt.
• Responsible for the delivery of the contract in accordance with project governance requirements; always operating in accordance with Integrated Management System (IMS) rules and procedures to ensure that contracts are administered within delegation of authority and the overall NNB governance/assurance regime.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Commercial Manager, Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Lead within major infrastructure, construction, engineering or nuclear projects.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contracts, including contract administration and commercial governance.
• Experience managing Compensation Events, Early Warning Notices, contract changes, variations and claims.
• Demonstrable experience in cost management, forecasting, budgeting, cost/value reconciliation and financial reporting.
• Ability to manage commercial risk, identify opportunities and implement mitigation strategies.
• Experience preparing and negotiating subcontracts, supplier agreements and procurement activities.
• Strong commercial negotiation skills with the ability to secure value while maintaining positive client and supplier relationships.
• Experience managing payment applications, assessments, final accounts and cash flow forecasting.
• Knowledge of change control, delay analysis and Extension of Time (EOT) processes.
• Excellent understanding of project controls, programme impacts and commercial reporting.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including Project Managers, Engineering, Procurement, Finance and Legal functions.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with clients, Tier 1 contractors and supply chain partners.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills with a proactive approach to commercial management.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and commercial management systems such as SAP, Oracle or CEMAR; experience with Power BI is advantageous.
• Experience working within highly regulated industries such as Nuclear, Energy, Defence, Rail or Major Infrastructure is highly desirable.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional membership (e.g. RICS, CIOB or CICES) or working towards chartership is desirable.
• Knowledge of EDF processes or previous experience on major UK nuclear projects would be advantageous.
• Fluent in English; French is advantageous.

Benefits include:

• Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)
• 25 days’ paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days
• Professional fees reimbursed
• Flexible working
• Employee referral scheme

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter! Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.