Commercial Manager

About the Company

At Fora, we’re reimagining what the workplace can be.

We create inspiring, design-led spaces that blend hospitality, community, and wellbeing, so people can work productively, creatively, and happily.

From our first London workspace over 20 years ago, we’ve grown to 60+ locations across the UK, supporting 30,000+ members and partnering with trailblazing brands.

Backed by The Office Group, Blackstone, and Brockton Capital, we’re growing fast and pioneering conscious design, sustainable construction, and workspaces that empower people to work in their own unique way.

At Fora, we’re not just shaping workplaces, we’re shaping the future of work.

The Role

This is more than a project cost management role.

You’ll take ownership of the commercial governance and reporting that underpin capital investment across Fora’s portfolio, helping ensure projects are delivered with financial clarity, effective control and a clear understanding of risk.

Working across new buildings, major refurbishments and alterations to existing spaces, you’ll provide a single source of insight for project budgets, forecasts and commercial performance.

You’ll partner closely with Design & Development, Commercial Finance, Expansion and Operations, as well as external consultants, contractors and advisers.

Your work will help turn capital plans into reliable cash flow forecasts, strengthen decision-making and create a more consistent approach to cost management across the business.

Working Pattern

Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.

Why This Role Matters

Fora continues to invest in creating and evolving exceptional workspaces.

Strong commercial governance is essential to ensuring that investment is deployed effectively and that projects are delivered on time and within agreed budgets.

Success in this role will mean accurate and accessible cost information, earlier visibility of commercial risks and more confident decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

You’ll also help improve how capital expenditure is managed and reported across the wider portfolio.

• What You’ll Be Doing
• Commercial Governance & Reporting
• Take ownership of capital expenditure data across Design & Development, ensuring information is accurate, accessible and presented in a way that supports effective decision-making.
• Maintain clear oversight of project budgets, forecasts and cash flow, giving stakeholders reliable visibility of current and future capital requirements.
• Work with Commercial Finance to agree reporting formats and timelines, ensuring adjustments are reconciled and clearly explained.
• Review existing cost management processes, strengthen compliance and recommend improvements that make governance more effective and scalable.
• Project Inception & Cost Planning
• Develop and present high-level capital budgets for new buildings, refurbishments and alterations, covering construction costs, professional fees, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
• Lead the commercial review of technical due diligence and analyse cost information provided by external consultants and other third parties.
• Provide clear commercial briefs to design teams and ensure project partners understand the required cost templates, controls and reporting processes.
• Identify key financial risks early and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Procurement & Tender Management
• Shape procurement strategies that balance quality, value, programme requirements and commercial risk.
• Oversee the preparation and review of tender documentation, contractor lists, tender analysis and recommendation reports.
• Participate in tender meetings and challenge proposals to ensure commercial assumptions, exclusions and risks are fully understood.
• Work with procurement specialists, solicitors and insurance advisers to support contractor appointments and appropriate contractual arrangements.
• Project Delivery & Financial Control
• Provide clear reporting on the financial health of live projects, with particular focus on risk-adjusted forecast costs and final account exposure.
• Maintain effective change control, ensuring project variations follow agreed approval processes and are reflected accurately in forecasts.
• Review external cost reports, challenge assumptions and ensure benchmarking information is captured consistently.
• Work closely with Commercial Finance to support investor reporting and translate project-level information into wider portfolio insight.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Partnership
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, internal teams, consultants and contractors, creating alignment around commercial priorities and project outcomes.
• Manage multiple projects at different stages while retaining clear accountability for commercial performance and risk.
• Delegate effectively while maintaining sufficient oversight of key decisions, commitments and emerging issues.
• Support colleagues in developing their commercial capability and provide clear, well-structured presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

Why Fora?

This role offers broad exposure across a growing, design-led workspace portfolio.

You’ll influence investment decisions from initial feasibility through to final account, working on projects that directly shape the experience of Fora’s members and teams.

You’ll also have the opportunity to improve the systems and commercial processes behind our capital programme, creating a more consistent and insight-led approach that can scale with the business.

Essential Experience

• Extensive professional experience in quantity surveying, commercial management or property development.
• Experience managing project costs across the development lifecycle, from early feasibility and budgeting through procurement, delivery and final account.
• A track record of delivering high-quality, design-led projects.
• Strong knowledge of capital expenditure management, cash flow forecasting, cost reporting and commercial risk.
• Experience overseeing tender processes, contractor procurement, change control and final account negotiations.
• Experience partnering with senior stakeholders, internal project teams and external consultants.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to present complex commercial information clearly.
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities while maintaining accountability for quality, cost and deadlines.

Desirable Experience

• Chartered membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
• A BSc or MSc in quantity surveying, commercial management, construction, property or another relevant discipline.
• Experience in the workplace or flexible workspace sector.
• Experience delivering projects in hospitality, retail or entertainment.
• Knowledge of international procurement trends or experience working outside the UK.

At Fora we energise and empower people to create their best work.

We understand that in order to do that we need to support you every day, which is why we offer a range of benefits.

Please note this position is 4 days in the office and 1 day working from anywhere.

• Work Your Way
• Core working hours with flexibility– because life doesn’t run 9–5
• Two weeks ‘Work from Anywhere’ – swap your desk for a beach, a mountain… anywhere that inspires you
• Time to Rest & Recharge
• 28 days’ annual leave + bank holidays
• Your birthday off – celebrate you
• Buy additional annual leave to create even more time for what matters
• Well-being & Security
• 5% matched pension scheme – supporting your future
• Life assurance for peace of mind
• Discounted gym membership to keep you feeling your best
• Access to our gyms and selected wellness classes with Restore at Fora
• Health cash plan - supporting day to day medical expenses
• Mental Well-being support - confidential in-person or online therapy sessions
• Smarter, Greener Commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan to make your journey easier and more affordable

Perks That Make You Smile

• 25% off at Fora cafés – your morning coffee just got better
• 2 x volunteer days / year
• Generous Employee Referral Scheme
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