Business Manager (Contract, Temporary) in Glasgow

Business Manager (Contract, Temporary) in Glasgow

Glasgow Temporary 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Assystem

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering consultancy projects and manage P&L for high-quality outcomes.
  • Company: Join Assystem, a top nuclear engineering firm with a global presence.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, wellness resources, and opportunities for career growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while working on exciting global projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing P&L and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

Company Description

Today, Assystem is among the top three independent nuclear engineering firms worldwide. With over 60 years of experience in highly regulated sectors, the group supports public and industrial stakeholders in the execution of complex and strategic infrastructure projects, subject to high safety and security requirements. Assystem mobilizes 8,000 experts in 13 countries and intervenes across the entire project lifecycle, in engineering, project management and digital solutions.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Business Manager to lead a high-performing engineering consultancy portfolio delivering work packages and project-based Engineering outcomes. This role is accountable for a project-driven P&L, where success is built on the consistent delivery of high-quality engineering outputs, strong commercial control, and disciplined performance management across multiple delivery streams. Working in close partnership with the Programme Manager (who leads day-to-day project governance and delivery execution), this role ensures that all elements of the business are aligned to deliver sustainable, high-quality, and profitable outcomes.

Your Key Responsibilities

  • P&L Leadership & Integration
    • Own and deliver against a project-based P&L, ensuring revenue, margin, and cash targets are achieved.
    • Integrate performance across key pillars (Programme Management, Engineering, Commercial, and Sales) to ensure joined-up execution of the business plan.
    • Ensure that healthy project performance translates into sustained P&L success.
    • Prepare and manage budgets, resource plans, and business forecasts to support the achievement of business objectives.
    • Ensure proposed opportunities and commitments are rigorously assessed against business capability, resource availability, delivery capacity, and commercial objectives before acceptance.
  • Delivery Assurance & Performance Oversight
    • Work in close partnership with the Programme Manager to ensure effective governance, controls, and delivery standards are embedded across all work packages.
    • Maintain senior-level oversight of project performance, ensuring delivery against quality, schedule, and budget expectations.
    • Define and oversee portfolio-level KPIs and performance metrics, ensuring clear visibility of trends and risks.
    • Ensure early escalation and intervention where projects show signs of distress.
  • Forecasting, Reporting & Financial Control
    • Lead monthly forecasting, reporting, and financial reviews, ensuring outputs are accurate, insightful, and decision-ready.
    • Maintain a strong grip on cost, margin, revenue, and cash performance across the portfolio.
    • Ensure all reporting is high quality and suitable for senior stakeholder engagement.
    • Provide analysis and recommendations to support informed business decision-making and continuous improvement.
  • Contract & Commercial Governance (NEC)
    • Ensure appropriate oversight and assurance of NEC4 contract administration across the portfolio.
    • Work with Commercial and Programme teams to ensure robust management of change, risk, and commercial positions.
    • Support commercial teams in the negotiation and management of contract amendments, compensation events, variations, and associated commercial positions.
    • Maintain a balanced approach that protects the business while supporting collaborative and strategic client relationships.
  • Client Engagement & Pipeline Development
    • Build and maintain strong relationships with client stakeholders at programme and commercial levels.
    • Support the development of a pipeline of work packages and framework opportunities in collaboration with Account Managers.
    • Support the development, review, and approval of proposals and quotations, ensuring alignment with customer requirements, delivery capability, and commercial objectives.
    • Support the establishment and growth of long-term framework agreements and strategic customer relationships.
    • Ensure that strong delivery performance leads to repeat business and long-term client partnerships.
  • Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
    • Ensure that effective processes, tools, and ways of working are in place across the business.
    • Drive continuous improvement in delivery performance, efficiency, and consistency.
    • Promote a culture of data-led decision-making and performance transparency.
    • Identify and champion improvements in engineering methods, systems, digital tools, procedures, and ways of working that enhance quality, efficiency, and delivery performance.
  • Leadership & Team Development
    • Provide leadership across the business, working through direct teams and key functional leads.
    • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and delivery excellence, tutoring Project Managers on the demands of the business and the wider context of their work.
    • Support the development of capability across project, engineering, and commercial disciplines.
    • Assess organisational capability and workforce requirements, supporting the development of skills, succession planning, and future resource capacity needs.
    • Ensure teams are appropriately structured, resourced, and developed to meet current and future business demands.
  • Compliance, Quality & Safety
    • Ensure alignment with HSEQ, regulatory, and security requirements.
    • Work closely with the HSEQ function to ensure customer quality requirements are fully understood and appropriately implemented.
    • Provide assurance that quality standards are being consistently achieved across all work packages.
    • Support audit readiness and implementation of corrective actions where required.
    • Ensure all security requirements and obligations are maintained across the portfolio.

Qualifications

Essential Skills & Experience

  • Proven experience managing a P&L within an engineering consultancy or project delivery environment.
  • Strong understanding of how to drive performance across a portfolio of engineering work packages.
  • Experience working alongside Programme Managers or equivalent delivery leads in complex environments.
  • Strong financial acumen, including forecasting, cost control, budgeting, and performance reporting.
  • Solid understanding of NEC4 contracts and associated commercial principles.
  • Demonstrated ability to set, monitor, and act on performance KPIs at portfolio level.
  • Experience supporting bid, proposal, and commercial governance activities.
  • Strong stakeholder management and client engagement skills.
  • Experience leading and influencing multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications (Desirable)

  • Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Management, or a related discipline.
  • Experience within the nuclear sector or other highly regulated industries.
  • Professional accreditation (e.g. APM, PMP, Chartered Engineer).

Additional Information

Why Join the Switchers Community?

  • A dynamic career management policy to enable our employees to progress through our five business lines: operations, project, technical, sales and support functions.
  • Provide opportunities to work on exciting, global projects.
  • Access to an employee assistance programme with free mindfulness, health, wellbeing resources and a confidential support line available 24/7 via phone or text.
  • Discount vouchers for days out and restaurants, eye test and glasses vouchers, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs.
  • Enhanced sick pay.

Whilst we encourage applications from all nationalities, Assystem within the UK are subject to security and export control restrictions due to the nature of work to be undertaken.

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES ON RECRUITMENT FRAUD - We are committed to safeguarding candidates from fraudulent activity associated with our recruitment process. We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. 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.

Business Manager (Contract, Temporary) in Glasgow employer: Assystem

Assystem is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration within the nuclear engineering sector. Located in Greater London, we offer a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and professional development. Our commitment to excellence is matched by our supportive environment, making it a rewarding place for talented individuals to thrive and contribute to impactful projects.

Assystem

Contact Details:

Assystem Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Business Manager (Contract, Temporary) in Glasgow

Tap into Consulting Networks

Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Assystem. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!

Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time

As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!

Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards

Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Assystem.

Leverage University and Alumni Resources

If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Assystem.

We think you need these skills to ace Business Manager (Contract, Temporary) in Glasgow

P&L Management
Project Management
Financial Acumen
Budgeting
Forecasting
Performance Reporting
Stakeholder Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!

Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.

Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Assystem and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.

Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.

How to prepare for a job interview at Assystem

Prepare for Case Studies

In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Assystem will want to see.

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Assystem.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Assystem.

Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit

Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Assystem. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.