Senior Commercial Manager in London

Senior Commercial Manager in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
CPC Project Services

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead major infrastructure projects in aviation, rail, and transport sectors.
  • Company: CPC Project Services, an award-winning independent consultancy with a people-first culture.
  • Benefits: Private healthcare, hybrid working, performance bonuses, and professional development support.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities and a commitment to diversity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile projects that shape communities across the UK.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager in infrastructure.

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

Transport & Infrastructure Team

Aviation Infrastructure

London & South East | Hybrid Working

Small enough to care, big enough to deliver.

At CPC Project Services, we’re an award-winning, independent Project Management and Cost Consultancy with over 36 years’ experience delivering high-quality projects across infrastructure, property, and transformational change. Becoming employee-owned in 2024, we’ve placed our people at the heart of everything we do. Our culture is built on ownership, pride, and genuine motivation — creating an environment where you can grow, be recognised for your contributions, and genuinely help shape the future of the business, all while enjoying long-term stability and support.

With a clear ambition to reach £100m turnover by 2033, this is an exciting time to join our expanding Transport & Infrastructure team and play a key role in delivering projects that make a real difference to communities across the UK.

The Opportunity

We are seeking experienced Senior Commercial Managers / Senior Quantity Surveyors with backgrounds across aviation, rail, heavy civils, utilities, transport, and highways to join our high-performing Commercial Services team. You’ll work closely with the Partner and Senior management, taking a leading role in delivering complex, high-profile infrastructure programmes — with an initial focus on the fast-paced and technically demanding aviation sector.

This is not just another SCM/SQS role. It’s an opportunity to step into a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where your expertise will directly influence the successful delivery of nationally significant infrastructure projects — and where your career progression is genuinely supported, not just talked about.

Aviation Infrastructure Focus

You’ll be part of major aviation infrastructure programmes helping to shape and modernise some of the UK’s busiest transport hubs across London and the South East. Ongoing investment is driving a wide range of complex works, including terminal upgrades, operational improvements, sustainability initiatives, airside enhancements, passenger experience schemes, and wider transport connectivity projects.

These environments offer something genuinely different:

  • Fast-paced live operational projects
  • Complex stakeholder and delivery environments
  • High-profile, multi-million-pound investment programmes
  • Technically challenging project delivery
  • Exposure across both pre- and post-contract commercial activities

For those looking to move beyond traditional construction, aviation infrastructure offers the chance to work on schemes that directly impact millions of passengers every year, within highly regulated and safety-critical environments. At CPC, our Transport & Infrastructure teams support major aviation, rail, highways and utilities programmes — delivering projects that leave a lasting legacy. You’ll gain exposure to diverse, high-profile schemes, collaborative delivery teams, and work that genuinely accelerates long-term career development.

If you’re looking for more variety, greater complexity, and the opportunity to work on landmark infrastructure programmes across London and the South East, this could be the opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

  • Take a lead role in the commercial delivery of major infrastructure projects across aviation, rail, highways, transport, and utilities
  • Provide senior oversight of cost management, commercial strategy, and contract administration across complex programmes
  • Lead the preparation, review, and challenge of cost plans, forecasts, and monthly financial reporting
  • Own and drive change control processes, variation assessments, and commercial negotiations
  • Provide strategic input into procurement strategy, including leading tender preparation, evaluation, and award recommendations
  • Act as a senior administrator of NEC contracts (and/or standard forms), ensuring robust contractual compliance and governance
  • Lead cash flow forecasting, cost reconciliation, and overall financial performance reporting
  • Provide high-level commercial advice and challenge to clients, stakeholders, and project teams
  • Identify and manage risk, value engineering opportunities, and commercial opportunities across project portfolios
  • Ensure strong contract administration processes are implemented and maintained across all projects
  • Work collaboratively within embedded client teams, acting as a key senior commercial interface
  • Support and lead dispute avoidance, negotiation, and resolution activities where required
  • Mentor, guide, and support junior members of the commercial team, contributing to capability development within the business
  • Contribute to best practice development and continuous improvement across the Commercial Services function

Experience Required

  • Proven experience at Senior Quantity Surveyor or Senior Commercial Manager level within infrastructure
  • Strong background across aviation, rail, highways, transport, and/or utilities
  • Experience delivering both pre- and post-contract commercial services on complex projects
  • Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts (essential) and/or Network Rail forms
  • Proven ability in cost management, forecasting, reporting, and commercial controls
  • Experience managing procurement, tendering, and commercial negotiations
  • Strong stakeholder management skills with client-facing experience
  • Ability to lead within embedded teams and influence project outcomes
  • Experience mentoring junior team members (desirable)
  • Consultancy or client-side infrastructure experience preferred

Benefits

At CPC Project Services, we offer more than just a competitive salary — we provide a benefits package designed to support you inside and outside of work:

  • Private healthcare for you and your family (including dental and optical)
  • Private pension scheme
  • Hybrid and flexible working
  • Travel insurance (including winter sports) for you, your partner, and dependants
  • Support with professional memberships and ongoing training

We also believe great work deserves recognition. That’s why we offer a personal performance bonus and annual salary reviews, ensuring your contribution is recognised as we grow together.

Diversity & Inclusion

CPC is an equal opportunities employer and a Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and develop.

Polite Notice to Recruitment Agencies

We are not seeking external recruitment support at this time. Speculative CVs will not be considered, and we kindly ask that you do not approach our employees directly.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re looking for a role where you’ll be trusted with real responsibility, given autonomy to lead, and genuinely supported to progress rather than wait for it — we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation to explore whether this could be the right move for you.

Senior Commercial Manager in London employer: CPC Project Services

CPC Project Services is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee ownership and a supportive work culture, making it an ideal place for Senior Commercial Managers to thrive. With a focus on meaningful projects in aviation infrastructure across London and the South East, employees benefit from hybrid working, comprehensive healthcare, and professional development opportunities, all while contributing to impactful initiatives that enhance communities. Join a team where your expertise is valued, and your career progression is genuinely supported in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

CPC Project Services

Contact Details:

CPC Project Services Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching CPC Project Services inside out. Understand their projects, values, and culture. When you show genuine interest, it’ll set you apart from the crowd and make a lasting impression.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the Senior Commercial Manager role. We want to hear about your successes and how you can contribute to CPC’s ambitious goals.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager in London

Cost Management
Commercial Strategy
Contract Administration
NEC Contracts
Financial Reporting
Change Control Processes
Procurement Strategy

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Commercial Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in aviation, rail, or utilities, and show us how your skills align with our needs.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Use specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to, especially those that demonstrate your expertise in cost management and commercial strategy.

Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value ownership and pride, so share what motivates you and why you’re excited about the opportunity to work with us at CPC Project Services.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at CPC Project Services

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of NEC contracts and the aviation sector. Familiarise yourself with recent projects CPC has undertaken, especially in transport and infrastructure. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to hit the ground running.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and influence project outcomes. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed complex projects or mentored junior team members. This will highlight your capability to take charge.

Prepare for Stakeholder Management Questions

Expect questions about how you handle stakeholder relationships. Think of specific instances where you've navigated complex stakeholder environments or resolved disputes. Being able to articulate these experiences will showcase your strong communication and negotiation skills.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about CPC's future projects in aviation infrastructure or their approach to mentoring within the team. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your career goals.