Commercial Lead in Burnley

Responsibilities

• Overall: Lead and manage all commercial activities from project handover and budgeting through to final project results and cash collection, ensuring profitability, compliance, and sustained business growth. This includes overseeing contract management, performance monitoring, and strategic market development.
• Contract & Commercial Management: Lead the administration and management of NEC3 | NEC4 and similar contract frameworks, ensuring compliance with contract provisions and project delivery requirements. Prepare, review, and negotiate contract documents, including compensation events, early warnings, quotations, and project manager instructions. Advise project teams on NEC and similar contract mechanisms and ensure best practice in contractual and commercial decision‑making. Produce accurate and timely commercial reporting, including forecasts, cashflow, cost‑to‑complete, and earned value. Maintain an up‑to‑date contracts database, proactively managing key dates, deliverables, and invoicing timelines. Proactively follow up on any opportunity to maximise revenue out of existing contracts. Liaise with legal counsel to mitigate contractual risks and resolve disputes efficiently. Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Financial & Risk Management: Monitor and report project financial performance and identify and assess commercial risks and opportunities early, proposing any mitigation strategies where appropriate. Lead the assessment, preparation, valuation, and negotiation of variations, claims, and compensation events. Support cost planning, budgeting, and cost verification activities including accurate cost estimations for services, setting margins in line with approved levels and project specifics. Ensure strong commercial governance and adherence to company financial controls and audit requirements.
• Project & Product Group Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor the performance of commercial activities using key metrics, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities. Provide analytical insights to support strategic decision‑making and financial planning. Deliver reports for senior management as required. Contribute to the development of project budgets and cashflow forecasts. Oversee accurate and timely commercial forecasting on revenue, cost, margin, and cash flow. Monitor and drive cash collection activities, ensuring the timely receipt of customer payments and the efficient settlement of vendor obligations.
• Process Improvement & Governance: Promote continuous improvement in commercial processes, especially around NEC and similar contract framework administration. Ensure commercial policies, procedures, and reporting standards are consistently applied across project teams. Contribute to lessons learned exercises, knowledge sharing, and upskilling initiatives within the commercial function. Oversee, delegate, and prioritise the Commercial Assistant’s workload to ensure timely and high‑quality outputs. Provide mentorship, guidance, and technical support to aid the Assistant’s learning and professional development. Conduct regular performance reviews, identify strengths and development areas, and support training plans. Review and approve work produced by the Commercial Assistant, including cost reports, contract documentation, and commercial correspondence.
• Commercial Strategy & Business Development: Develop and implement commercial strategies for the Renewables and Infrastructure market aligned with company goals. Identify and pursue new market opportunities to drive business growth. Conduct comprehensive market research and competitive analysis to inform strategic direction. Prepare detailed business plans for expansion, partnerships, and new product/service offerings.
• Leadership Responsibilities: Teamwork: Provide guidance, coaching, and support to team members, empowering them to take ownership, deliver results, and grow. Performance: Lead by monitoring team performance, facilitating development and feedback conversations, setting clear objectives, and driving improvement initiatives to achieve results. Integrity: Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration to maintain a positive work environment, while ensuring all team members complete required compliance training. Expertise: Drive career progression and develop future leaders, while enhancing both your own and the team’s commercial awareness. Evolving: Champion continuous improvement, lead change initiatives, and support the team in navigating transitions successfully.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Responsibilities: All employees have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions at work. Employees must conduct assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and comply with all Health, Safety & Environmental rules, policy, procedures, regulations and codes of practice. Employees must co‑operate with management and co‑workers to help everyone meet their legal obligations. Employees must follow any instructions or health, safety & environmental training provided by the company and report any hazards, injuries or ill health that present a serious and imminent risk and inform your line manager about any shortcomings you identify within your health and safety arrangements.

Job Specific Education Required: Degree in Finance, Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Law, or related discipline (or equivalent experience) is desirable but not essential.

Work Experience Required: The employee should have a track record in a relevant commercial role. Solid knowledge of performance reporting and financial/budgeting processes. Combine commercial awareness with a strategic and growth mindset. Be forward‑thinking and adaptable to market dynamics. Experience with managing NEC contracts.

Skills & Knowledge Required: Financially strong. Strong experience in commercial or contract management with in‑depth knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 contract suites. Background in construction, infrastructure, civil engineering, utilities, or related sectors. Sound understanding of contract law, cost management, risk management, and commercial governance. Strong negotiation, analytical, and commercial problem‑solving skills. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Competent in commercial and project management systems.

Requirement to Travel: Travel to other CRC Locations and client sites/offices may be required on an adhoc basis. Travel for training, workshops and seminars may be required for personal development and business governance.

Application Details: If interested, please click the 'Apply' button.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Industries: Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing, Services for Renewable Energy, and Defense and Space Manufacturing