Commercial Manager - London

Commercial Manager - London

London Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead commercial performance on major infrastructure projects and manage contracts effectively.
  • Company: Join Balfour Beatty, a leader in utilities and infrastructure works.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days holiday, and flexible working hours.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in commercial leadership and strong knowledge of NEC contracts required.
  • Other info: Opportunity to mentor and develop future commercial professionals.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.

Balfour Beatty is recruiting for a Commercial Manager to support the LPT2 Project, based at the project office. The Commercial Manager is responsible for the overall commercial performance of assigned projects, programmes or portfolios. The role provides strategic commercial leadership, ensuring strong cost control, effective contract management, compliance with governance requirements, and the successful delivery of commercial objectives aligned with the wider business strategy.

This position plays a key role in the delivery of utilities and infrastructure works across the project. The Commercial Manager will actively manage commercial risks, maximise opportunities, and ensure the highest standards of safety, quality and performance are maintained throughout the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will typically have a proven track record of leading and managing commercial teams on major infrastructure projects. They will be a Chartered Member of RICS, ICES or CIOB, or working towards chartership. In addition, they will mentor and develop commercial professionals at earlier stages of their careers, supporting progression towards professional qualification while maintaining their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

What you’ll be doing

  • Provide commercial leadership across projects or programmes, setting and maintaining commercial strategies aligned with business objectives.
  • Act as the senior commercial advisor to project leadership teams, providing clear, timely and pragmatic commercial guidance.
  • Contribute to bid, tender and negotiation strategies, including risk allocation and commercial positioning.
  • Oversee the administration and management of contracts, typically under NEC3/NEC4 or equivalent forms.
  • Ensure effective cost management, forecasting and reporting, including oversight of CVRs and financial performance.
  • Lead the management of change, compensation events and commercial negotiations.
  • Provide strategic oversight of subcontract and supply chain commercial arrangements.
  • Own and manage commercial risk at project or portfolio level, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified, mitigated and reported.
  • Ensure compliance with internal commercial controls, delegated authorities and governance frameworks.
  • Support audits, assurance reviews and senior level reporting, maintaining a robust commercial audit trail.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, JV partners, supply chain organisations and internal stakeholders.
  • Support dispute avoidance and, where necessary, lead or contribute to dispute resolution processes.
  • Present commercial performance updates to senior management and executive leadership teams.
  • Line‑manage, mentor and develop commercial teams, including Managing QSs, Senior QSs and QSs where applicable.
  • Support resource planning, succession and capability development within the commercial function.
  • Promote best practice, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the business.

Who we’re looking for

  • An organised, innovative and commercially astute Commercial Manager with a strong commitment to continuous learning and experience across diverse projects and portfolios.
  • Significant experience in a commercial leadership role within construction or infrastructure.
  • Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts (NEC3/NEC4) and UK construction commercial practices.
  • Proven track record of managing cost, risk, change and commercial performance on complex projects or programmes.
  • Experience operating within multi‑stakeholder environments, including frameworks and joint ventures.
  • Excellent leadership, negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Strong commercial judgement with the ability to operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels.
  • Demonstrates a consistent track record of working to tight deadlines, delivering work efficiently and to a high standard, and proactively managing opportunities, risks and threats with resilience, determination and a strong achievement focus.

Why work for us

  • Competitive salary
  • 37.5 hours Monday to Friday (part‑time applicants welcomed)
  • 25 days holiday plus

Commercial Manager - London employer: Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

Balfour Beatty is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Commercial Manager, you will benefit from competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for professional development, including mentorship and support towards chartership. The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing, ensuring that employees are equipped to excel in their careers while contributing to impactful infrastructure projects.
Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

Contact Detail:

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager - London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. 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. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your knowledge about their work and how you can contribute to their success.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the role of Commercial Manager. Keep it concise but impactful, highlighting your leadership skills and commercial acumen.

✨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 Commercial Manager - London

Commercial Leadership
Cost Control
Contract Management
Governance Compliance
Risk Management
Change Management
Negotiation Skills
Financial Performance Oversight
Client Relationship Management
Dispute Resolution
Team Mentoring and Development
Knowledge Sharing
NEC Contracts Knowledge (NEC3/NEC4)
Stakeholder Engagement
Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Manager role. Highlight your experience in commercial leadership, especially in construction or infrastructure projects. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in managing costs and risks, and how you’ve led teams to success.

Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your qualifications, especially if you’re a Chartered Member of RICS, ICES, or CIOB. If you’re working towards chartership, let us know! It shows your commitment to professional development.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of cost management and financial performance. Brush up on key metrics related to previous projects you've managed, and be ready to discuss how you achieved cost savings or improved profitability.

✨Master the NEC Contracts

Since the role involves overseeing contracts under NEC3/NEC4, make sure you're well-versed in these contract types. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated contract management and compliance in past roles, highlighting any challenges you overcame.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This position requires strong leadership and mentoring abilities. Think of specific instances where you've led a team or mentored junior professionals. Be prepared to discuss your approach to developing talent and fostering a collaborative environment.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in commercial risk management and negotiation. Prepare scenarios from your experience where you identified risks, implemented strategies to mitigate them, and successfully negotiated outcomes that benefited all parties involved.

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