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- Tasks: Lead commercial performance in highways and infrastructure projects, driving revenue and profitability.
- Company: Dynamic civil engineering firm focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, company car, private healthcare, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Shape a growing business unit and influence its direction while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management within civil engineering, especially highways, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with opportunities for career development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is a rare chance to take full commercial ownership of a growing regional civil engineering business unit, delivering highways and infrastructure projects across the South.
A Commercial Manager to oversee a £40m regional highways and infrastructure business working for clients including:
- Local Authorities
- Private Developers
- Tier 1 Main Contractors
- National Highways
This isn’t a back-office oversight role. This is about shaping a business unit, setting standards, and leading from the front.
The regional civil engineering arm delivers a mix of:
- Highways new build schemes
- Public realm and urban infrastructure
- Section works and framework packages
- Maintenance and improvement works
Projects range from reactive works through to major schemes exceeding £10m, with a growing pipeline of longer-term, higher-value contracts. The direction of travel is clear: structured growth, improved margins, stronger commercial control.
As Lead Commercial Manager, you will own commercial performance across the Regional Civil Engineering portfolio. Managing a commercial team of 34 staff, you’ll work closely with delivery teams and clients, ensuring commercial discipline, governance and profitability across frameworks and standalone projects.
Key responsibilities include:
- Full commercial leadership of highways & infrastructure projects
- Driving revenue, margin and financial performance
- Leading monthly CVR reviews and implementing corrective actions
- Managing framework-level commercial consolidation
- Strong NEC contract management, including Highways Term Service Agreements
- Risk and opportunity management
- Supporting bid strategy and pricing input
- Supply chain engagement and performance improvement
- Leading and developing a high-performing commercial team
You will be highly visible within the business — influencing direction, strengthening standards and embedding accountability. Expect to spend 3 days per week in the office or on site, with hybrid flexibility where appropriate.
We’re looking for a commercially astute leader from a civil engineering background, ideally with highways experience. You’ll bring:
- Proven commercial management experience within regional civil engineering
- Experience managing highways & infrastructure frameworks
- Strong NEC contract knowledge
- Experience operating as Principal Contractor and/or self-delivery partner
- Exposure to projects ranging from small reactive works to major infrastructure schemes
- Strong leadership capability – developing teams and raising performance
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or similar
- RICS / CICES desirable but not essential
You’ll be confident, analytical, composed under pressure and comfortable influencing at senior level.
What’s On Offer:
- Excellent Salary (based on experience)
- Bonus up to 20%
- Company car or car allowance
- Private healthcare
- Pension & life assurance
- 25 days annual leave plus birthday off
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced parental benefits
- Genuine opportunity to shape and grow a business unit
If you’re a Commercial Leader who wants more than just managing numbers — if you want to influence direction, shape culture and drive performance across a growing regional highways business — this is a serious opportunity.
Commercial Manager employer: GirlingJones
Contact Detail:
GirlingJones Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the civil engineering sector. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you’re chatting with industry professionals or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with NEC contracts and commercial management. Share specific examples of how you've driven revenue and improved margins in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s recent projects and challenges in the highways and infrastructure space. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their growth and success, especially in managing frameworks and leading teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you a better chance of standing out. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Commercial Manager. Highlight your experience in managing highways and infrastructure projects, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve driven performance and shaped teams in your previous roles!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your commercial management experience and how you’ve influenced direction in past positions. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like revenue growth or successful project completions. We love numbers that tell a story about your success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at GirlingJones
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial performance. Brush up on key metrics related to revenue, margins, and project costs. Be ready to discuss how you've driven financial success in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've developed teams and improved performance. Think about specific situations where you influenced direction or implemented change within a team.
✨Understand NEC Contracts Inside Out
Since strong NEC contract knowledge is essential, make sure you can discuss your experience with these contracts confidently. Be prepared to explain how you've managed risks and opportunities in past projects using NEC frameworks.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in commercial management and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.