At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial strategy for major highways contracts and drive procurement excellence.
- Company: Join a leading UK infrastructure contractor with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private healthcare, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national infrastructure projects while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or related field; extensive highways experience required.
Conrad Consulting is proud to be partnering with a leading UK infrastructure contractor to recruit an experienced Commercial Manager for a high-profile opportunity within its Highways division. This is a rare chance to take on a strategic leadership role, driving the commercial delivery of major National Highways procurement programmes. Working at the forefront of the next generation of highways maintenance contracts, you'll play a key role in shaping commercial strategy, influencing bid success, and helping secure long-term infrastructure projects that make a real impact.
If you have a Quantity Surveying background, extensive National Highways experience, and thrive in a commercially driven environment, this is an opportunity to make your mark on one of the UK's most important infrastructure programmes.
The Role
As Commercial Manager, you will lead the commercial function throughout the procurement phase of major highways maintenance contracts, ensuring commercial excellence from initial strategy through to contract award and mobilisation. Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the commercial strategy for major National Highways procurement opportunities.
- Managing all commercial and contractual aspects of the procurement lifecycle.
- Developing procurement strategies aligned with evolving National Highways frameworks.
- Leading supply chain engagement, procurement, negotiations, and partner selection.
- Supporting bid strategy, pricing, commercial governance, and risk management.
- Working closely with senior operational, bid, and executive teams throughout the tender process.
- Managing NEC contract reviews, commercial structuring, and risk allocation.
- Supporting the transition from procurement into mobilisation and project delivery.
- Driving best practice, commercial innovation, and governance across the business.
About You
We're looking for a commercially astute professional who can operate confidently at senior leadership level and has a proven track record within the highways sector. You'll ideally have:
- A degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.
- Extensive experience within highways maintenance, civil engineering, or infrastructure.
- Proven experience in a Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial role on National Highways contracts.
- Strong knowledge of National Highways procurement processes and commercial frameworks.
- Experience leading major framework procurements and bid activities.
- Excellent understanding of NEC contracts, particularly Term Service Contracts and performance-based models.
- Strong commercial judgement, strategic thinking, and risk management expertise.
- The ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders and supply chain partners.
- MRICS status is desirable but not essential.
What's on Offer
This is an outstanding opportunity to join one of the UK's leading infrastructure businesses at an exciting time of growth and investment. You'll play a key role in securing nationally significant projects while enjoying genuine career progression, a collaborative working environment, and an excellent benefits package including:
- Competitive salary and performance-related package.
- Company pension scheme.
- Life assurance.
- Private healthcare and wellbeing support, including a 24/7 GP service.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Retail discounts and flexible benefits portal.
- Enhanced family leave policies.
- Cycle to Work and salary sacrifice schemes.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager in Ipswich
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Conrad Consulting Ltd, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Commercial Manager at Conrad Consulting Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Conrad Consulting Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
