Senior Commercial Manager in Suffolk

Job Location City: Ipswich

Country/Region: United Kingdom

Contract Type: Permanent

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Remote/Onsite: Hybrid

Travel Requirements: Occasional travel

Requisition ID: 2498

The Civil Works Alliance is recruiting for a senior commercial professional to join as we deliver Sizewell C—a once-in-a-generation project that will generate 3.2 gigawatts of low‑carbon electricity, powering around 6 million homes and shaping the UK’s energy future for the next 60 years. This is your chance to play a leading role in a nationally significant scheme, working alongside some of the most respected names in infrastructure.

This high‑impact position calls for a combination of commercial acumen, leadership, and the ability to drive value across a complex project environment. Your work will have a direct influence on the success of the CWA and Sizewell C’s positive legacy for both the industry and the wider community.

This Senior Commercial Manager is responsible for the commercial management of a Section or major element of the SZC Civil Works Alliance scope from TOC setting, through project delivery to final accounting and commercial close out. They are an integral part of the project senior commercial team where they hold key responsibilities associated with the commercial and financial success of a Section or major element.

Senior Commercial Managers are very experienced individuals who have risen through the ranks of the industry and their role is broad and includes anything from risk management to procurement, financial reporting and managing the supply chain. They will have proven skills in commercial awareness, client liaison, project management and team leadership. They will also have an extensive understanding of the construction industry, flexibility, and a talent for negotiation.

Typically, they will have a track record of managing and developing a commercial team and be themselves a Chartered Member or Fellow of the RICS, ICES or CIOB, and a mentor/role model to other commercial staff on their journey to becoming professionally qualified.

In this role, you will:

• Champion a relentless focus on health and safety while supporting the project’s sustainability objectives
• Ensure your team understands and adheres to alliance processes, governance, and best practice
• Take a strategic view, identify efficiency opportunities, and proactively respond to evolving project needs
• Apply your understanding of the economic landscape to guide commercial decisions within construction
• Provide expert input to value engineering and alternative construction methods
• Oversee the review of commercial and cost data, and drive digital opportunities for maximum impact
• Lead the coordination of your commercial team to identify and resolve programme issues
• Prepare and review Target Outturn Costs and manage the preparation of earned value and monthly performance data
• Clearly report commercial progress to the Delivery Leadership Team and represent CWA interests at stakeholder meetings
• Co‑ordinate supply chain management, procurement, estimating, and surveying to ensure robust commercial outcomes
• Support management planning for resource procurement and brief project teams on contract terms, risks, and obligations
• Administer change management, ensure contracts are managed to standard, and minimise dispute risk
• Support junior staff development, recruitment, onboarding, and performance management to build a resilient, diverse team
• Promote the CWA as an employer of choice and engage with educational establishments to foster the next generation of industry talent

To be successful, you will have:

• A BSc or MSc in Quantity Surveying (or equivalent experience)
• Membership or Fellowship of RICS, ICES, or CIOB
• Strong skills in communication, leadership, change management, and teamwork
• A focus on achievement, business awareness, and the ability to manage both customer needs and project risks

If you are ready to lead the commercial function on a project that will define the UK’s energy future, we want to hear from you.