At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial management for major infrastructure projects and ensure contract compliance.
- Company: Dynamic engineering and infrastructure group with growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, executive car, bonus scheme, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and influence the next stage of business growth.
- Why this job: Shape commercial processes and drive project performance in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management, preferably in High Voltage or rail sectors.
Salary: £80,000–£110,000 negotiable, depending on experience
Location: North West / Manchester
Type of work: Hybrid, ideally 3 days per week in the Manchester office, negotiable for the right person
Benefits: Executive company car, bonus scheme and wider senior-level package to be discussed
Role Overview
Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Commercial / Contracts Manager to take commercial ownership across a growing portfolio of major infrastructure projects, typically ranging from £500,000 to £5 million in value, with an overall portfolio currently in the region of £20–25 million and expected to grow significantly. This is a senior appointment for someone with strong contractual, financial and project commercial management experience. The priority is to appoint someone from a High Voltage, utilities or rail background, although candidates from civils, large-scale construction or complex infrastructure project environments will also be considered.
The successful candidate will act as the commercial bridge between finance, operations and project delivery teams, ensuring strong contract management, KPI and SLA performance, financial reporting, margin protection, risk management and commercial governance across multiple live and future projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the commercial and contractual management of a portfolio of infrastructure projects from tender and contract award through to delivery, variations and final account.
- Act as the senior commercial interface between project delivery, finance, operations, clients, contractors and subcontractors.
- Oversee contract administration, ensuring obligations, timescales, notices, variations, claims and compensation events are managed effectively.
- Monitor project performance against budgets, forecasts, KPIs, SLAs and contractual deliverables.
- Support pricing, tender reviews, commercial strategy, risk assessment and bid decision-making for new opportunities.
- Drive cost control, margin protection, forecasting accuracy, cashflow visibility and commercial reporting.
- Review and manage applications for payment, subcontractor accounts, client valuations, variations and final accounts.
- Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual and financial risks across live projects and future workstreams.
- Work closely with finance to improve reporting, cost allocation, governance and overall project commercial visibility.
- Support the development of scalable commercial processes as the project portfolio grows.
Person Specification
- Significant experience in commercial management, contracts management, quantity surveying or a senior project commercial role.
- Background in High Voltage, utilities or rail infrastructure is strongly preferred.
- Experience from civils, construction, engineering or major infrastructure projects will also be considered.
- Strong knowledge of contract administration, commercial governance, variations, claims, risk management and final accounts.
- Good understanding of NEC contracts; experience with rail, utility or infrastructure frameworks would be advantageous.
- Strong financial awareness, including forecasting, budget control, margin analysis, cashflow and commercial reporting.
- Ability to interpret contracts and translate contractual obligations into practical project controls.
- Confident managing KPIs, SLAs and contractual performance measures.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence project teams, finance, senior leadership, clients and subcontractors.
- Technically credible, with enough understanding of infrastructure project delivery to challenge, support and guide project teams.
- North West based, with the ability to attend the Manchester office regularly.
- Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction, Engineering or a related discipline would be desirable but is not essential where experience is strong.
Opportunity
This is a senior commercial opportunity within a growing engineering and infrastructure group, offering the chance to shape commercial processes, strengthen project performance and play a key role in the next stage of business growth. The role would suit an experienced Commercial Manager, Contracts Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor, Technical Contracts Manager or commercially focused Project/Operations professional who is ready to take ownership of a substantial and growing portfolio.
The salary is expected to be in the region of £80,000–£110,000, negotiable depending on experience, with an executive car and bonus scheme available. Hybrid working is offered, with an ideal expectation of around 3 days per week in the Manchester office, although flexibility may be considered for the right candidate.
To apply, please submit your CV by clicking on the relevant links. If successful, you will be contacted by one of our consultants within 3 working days. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we expect to receive for this vacancy, if you do not hear from us within this time, you should presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Senior Commercial / Contracts Manager in Manchester employer: Grassroots Recruitment Ltd
Join a dynamic engineering and infrastructure group in the North West, where you will have the opportunity to lead commercial management across significant projects while enjoying a hybrid work model. With competitive salaries, an executive car, and a bonus scheme, we prioritise employee growth and foster a collaborative culture that values innovation and excellence. This role not only offers a chance to shape commercial processes but also to be part of a team driving substantial business growth in a supportive environment.
Contact Details:
Grassroots Recruitment Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial / Contracts Manager in Manchester
✨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 Grassroots Recruitment 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 Senior Commercial / Contracts Manager at Grassroots Recruitment Ltd.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial / Contracts Manager in Manchester
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 Grassroots Recruitment 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!
