Commercial Director

AtkinsRéalis is one of the world's leading multi-disciplinary consultancy firms offering unparalleled opportunities for talented individuals in search of a rewarding career. The Transportation Commercial Team delivers commercial support to the Transportation Business Unit through our three Markets of: Rail and Transit, Local Transport and Strategic and Regional Highways. Due to some staff movement and an increase in workload, we are looking for additional support to join the team to help oversee and support our practice and market colleagues in all commercial matters relating to projects, bidding, and clients.

The Commercial Director will provide commercial guidance and innovative solutions to protect the group and ensure commercial success. Working alongside some of the top people in our industry, they will be focused upon solving challenges that bring together traditional design, engineering and new technologies, helping our clients solve today's most pressing challenges and creating better lives for people everywhere.

We recognise the importance and benefits of helping our employees balance work and home life and we offer flexible working arrangements. We operate flexibly across the UK so you could ideally work from one of our larger office locations in London, Epsom, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds or Glasgow, however candidates will be considered for any office where the Transportation Business Unit has a presence, and hybrid working may also be an option.

This is a permanent role for a Commercial Director to support the Commercial Team within the Transportation Business Unit. The role will focus on the provision of support and advice within the Rail & Transit Market. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in a Commercial leadership role within the UK Rail sector, ideally within a consultancy environment delivering professional services. They should have experience of public sector procurement processes and commercial dispute avoidance/resolution and must understand how to deliver a 'best for programme' approach, balancing risk, opportunity and financial returns within project delivery.

The successful candidate will report to the Transportation Commercial Director and will become an integral member of a growing commercial team. Opportunities will also exist to liaise and integrate with global commercial networks and to be part of planned growth of support to our Business Unit Commercial Team from our Global Technology Centre.

About you

• Commercial management to ensure successful bidding and delivery of commercial performance within a range of contracts/projects and to safeguard the interests of the Transportation Business Unit, the UK&I Region and the Group.
• Lead Commercial support and delivery within our key markets and be an integral member of the Business Unit Commercial Team.
• Actively engage in existing and future Joint Ventures, helping to negotiate and agree commercial terms and maintain good working relationships, often as a JV Management Board Member.
• Working alongside legal teams, support the Markets in resolving claims and disputes management and provide weekly and monthly updates to the Transportation Commercial Director.
• Work with stakeholders and legal teams to ensure that appropriate resource is allocated to manage the defence of commercial claims and to ensure appropriate assistance is provided.
• Engage with suppliers and sub-contractors at all levels to ensure positive relationships alongside commercial protection and procedural compliance.
• Work collaboratively with the Market Operations Directors to deliver commercial aspects of Market objectives and provide support to quickly resolve specific project issues.
• Proactively engage and offer support to key market team members with regular visibility across offices where teams are based.
• Engage in governance reviews and ensure project compliance.
• Review proposed consultancy contracts and sub-contracts for projects and recommend solutions and identify terms that may be a risk to the business and that require escalated business approval.
• Support delivery and bid teams where required on strategic bids in negotiations and dialogue with clients and contractors to ensure contracts are executed in line with group requirements.
• Promote compliance with the Stage Gates Process, Company Management System, and AtkinsRéalis procedures, and advise Market teams on these processes.
• Support and lead Stage Gates and Approvals processes in accordance with the Levels of Authority requirements.
• Provide regular updates of PI Claims and risk logs for the Markets and ensure that appropriate procedures are followed.
• Support on the development and delivery of Commercial Guidance and Training in alignment with wider business priorities.
• Where required, support the wider Global, UK&I Region and COOs Office in relation to development and delivery of Commercial Guidance and Training, and delivering commercial best practice.
• Support wider market and divisional requirements as they arise.

The Right Person

• Appropriate Degree and/or appropriate professional qualification in a Construction or Professional Services role (e.g. MICE, RICS, etc).
• Demonstrable experience in the UK Rail sector.
• Experience in a commercial or project management role balancing competing priorities within an engineering consultancy, client or within a similar sector.
• Familiarity with common Forms of Contract, including NEC Contract Suite.
• Customer facing experience (including internal stakeholders) with a "win-win" philosophy and "can-do" attitude.
• Good understanding of client behaviours and drivers (Public Sector and Tier One Contractors).
• Good communication skills.
• Capable of working independently as well as demonstrating strong teamwork skills.
• Commensurate IT skills particularly with experience of Microsoft Office.

Reward & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

Security clearance may be required. Offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If necessary, it will be discussed at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.