Lead Commercial Manager

Overview
The Commercial Manager is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of projects through strong commercial leadership. The role manages cost and value, contract negotiation, financial reporting, risk management and dispute resolution. Working closely with the project team, the Commercial Manager ensures commercial governance, develops staff capability and maintains positive relationships with clients and stakeholders.

At John Sisk & Son, we are more than a construction company; we are a family-owned business with a global reach, committed to building excellence in every project. We deliver trust, certainty and value to our clients while embracing innovation and shaping the future of construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead cost and value management for projects, ensuring systems and procedures are in place and followed.
• Oversee financial reporting and cashflow forecasting for projects.
• Identify and negotiate unacceptable contract terms, bonds, warranties and guarantees with clients and stakeholders.
• Manage project change processes by recording, evaluating and recovering entitlements where not the company's liability.
• Lead risk and opportunity management with the operations team, ensuring mitigation measures are identified and implemented.
• Provide commercial support and training to site staff.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and mentor the commercial team to deliver key responsibilities and develop professional capability.
• Support knowledge sharing and mentoring through structured programmes.
• Supervise the preparation of cost plans for complex projects using appropriate techniques and software.
• Lead the analysis of project cost reports to inform decision making.
• Ensure commercial teams act in line with company values, health and safety standards and cultural behaviours.

Program & Reporting

• Prepare and monitor long-term cash forecasts for projects, interpreting variances and recommending corrective action.
• Lead preparation of contractual correspondence and reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Develop innovative systems to control costs and monitor financial performance.
• Support programme and change reporting to management and stakeholders.
• Contribute to business planning and ensure alignment of commercial objectives with business unit strategy.
• Represent the company in industry networks and forums, maintaining professional relationships that support business growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors and third parties on commercial issues.
• Provide guidance on risk allocation, step-down clauses and design liability in subcontractor and designer agreements.
• Ensure commercial practices comply with legislation, company policies and best practice.

Experience

• Essential
  Proven experience in commercial management within construction or infrastructure.
  Strong knowledge of contract law, risk management and dispute resolution.
  Skilled negotiator with the ability to secure acceptable outcomes on complex projects.
  Experience leading commercial teams across multiple projects or large-scale programmes.
  Detailed understanding of project cost management systems and ability to interpret data for decision making.
  Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
  Ability to prepare accurate contractual correspondence and reports under tight timelines.
  Knowledge of design and build processes and delivery planning for multi-disciplinary teams.
• Desirable
  Experience with behavioural-based safety leadership.
  Strong financial management background with proven ability to optimise inflow and reduce outflow.
  Experience developing innovative systems for monitoring direct works cost and project financial performance.
  Active involvement in professional networks or industry associations.

Qualifications

• Essential
  Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, Business Administration or related field.
  Training in bonds, warranties and insurances.
  Training in dispute resolution and contract management.
  Training in financial management and cost control.
  Leadership training in managing and developing teams.
  Training in communication, influencing and negotiation.
  Valid CSCS card.
• Desirable
  Advanced training in change management, persuasion and influencing skills.
  Ongoing CPD in construction law, commercial management and industry best practice.

Additional Information
Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave plus additional company days, pension and benefits, unlimited learning and development opportunities.

Our People and Recruitment Commitment
At Sisk Group our people are at the heart of our success. We offer the chance to work with purpose, build a career with no limits and be part of a great team. All vacancies are managed directly by our Internal Recruitment Team. Unsolicited contact or speculative CVs from unapproved agencies will not be accepted and no introductory fees will apply. We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or any other protected characteristic. Reasonable adjustments are available during the recruitment process. We know the confidence gap and imposter phenomenon can stop talented candidates applying. You do not need to meet every criterion – your skills and potential matter. Don't hold back; we want to hear from you. All recruitment materials comply with legal and regulatory requirements including the EU Pay Transparency Directive and the Equality Acts UK and Ireland.