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- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy and drive performance in a growing civil engineering business.
- Company: Respected UK civil engineering contractor with a focus on highways and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, private healthcare, and 25 days annual leave plus your birthday off.
- Why this job: Shape the future of self-delivery civil engineering and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Senior commercial management experience in civil engineering and strong NEC contract knowledge.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working and excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 130000 £ per year.
Shape a growing highways self-delivery business. As Lead Commercial Manager you will shape commercial strategy, lead a high-performing team and directly influence the success of a growing self-delivery civil engineering business.
About the company
My client is a well-established and highly respected UK civil engineering contractor operating across highways, public realm and transport infrastructure. Their Civil Engineering business is the self-delivery arm of the organisation, delivering new build, maintenance and VRS works through in-house teams.
The role and responsibilities
- Owning and leading the commercial performance of the civil engineering self-delivery business.
- Working closely with delivery teams and clients to enable sound decision-making and drive revenue and margin across a diverse portfolio of work.
- Leading commercial performance across frameworks and individual projects.
- Driving revenue and margin through proactive financial management, CVRs and early intervention.
- Setting and maintaining strong commercial governance, reporting, cash management and compliance.
- Consolidating framework-level performance data to provide clear insight and direction.
- Leading NEC contract management, including risk, opportunity and dispute resolution.
- Supporting bids and pricing strategies to mitigate risk and improve profitability.
- Strengthening supply chain performance through proactive and collaborative relationships.
- Building, developing and mentoring a high-performing commercial team through coaching and training.
- Identifying issues early, leading targeted interventions and embedding continuous improvement.
Based in the Winchester office with flexibility to work from home where project needs allow.
Must-have skills and experience
- Proven experience in a senior commercial management role within civil engineering.
- Strong highways and self-delivery experience (preferred).
- Extensive knowledge of NEC contracts, including Highways Term Service Agreements.
- Experience operating as both Principal Contractor and Tier 2 self-delivery partner.
- A track record across a range of project values, from major projects to reactive works.
- Framework-level commercial consolidation and performance management experience.
- Excellent commercial acumen, resilience and negotiation skills.
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and leading teams through change.
- A degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Professional membership such as RICS or CICES (desirable).
Salary and benefits
GBP110,000 - GBP130,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
- Company car or car allowance.
- Private healthcare.
- Pension and life assurance.
- 25 days' annual leave plus your birthday off.
- Hybrid working where possible.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity benefits.
Career development, location and working pattern
This Lead Commercial Manager position offers genuine long-term progression, giving you the opportunity to shape a growing self-delivery civil engineering business and develop your career alongside it. The role is permanent and full-time, based in Winchester, with flexible hybrid working and regular site involvement.
Interested in taking the next step?
If you are a commercially astute highways professional looking to lead, influence and leave a lasting impact on a self-delivery civil engineering business, this opportunity is well worth exploring.
Highways Lead Commercial Manager in London employer: Carrington West
Contact Detail:
Carrington West Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Highways Lead Commercial Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their commercial strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about what you bring to the table and how you can contribute to their self-delivery civil engineering business. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Highways Lead Commercial Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your commercial management experience in civil engineering, especially in highways, to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this position. Share specific examples of how you've driven revenue and margin in previous roles, and how you can bring that expertise to our growing self-delivery business.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Lead Commercial Manager, we want to see your ability to lead and mentor teams. Include examples of how you've built high-performing teams and influenced stakeholders in your past roles to demonstrate your leadership prowess.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Carrington West
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Lead Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to revenue, margins, and cash flow management. Be ready to discuss how you've driven financial performance in past roles.
✨Master NEC Contracts
Since extensive knowledge of NEC contracts is crucial for this role, make sure you can talk confidently about your experience with them. Prepare examples of how you've managed risks and resolved disputes effectively in previous projects.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This position requires leading a high-performing team, so be prepared to share your leadership style. Think of specific instances where you've mentored team members or driven change within a team, and how that contributed to project success.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
You'll be influencing senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your ideas clearly and persuasively. Prepare to discuss how you've built relationships and collaborated with clients and delivery teams to achieve common goals.
