Commercial Manager - Cleanwater in Derby

We are looking for a highly capable and commercially focused Commercial Manager to lead commercial performance across our clean water portfolio. This is a key role supporting the delivery of major capital schemes for the largest client in our business, so strong client management, internal stakeholder engagement and commercial leadership are essential.

The successful candidate will bring strong NEC contract experience and practical knowledge of cleanwater projects. They will also be confident using CEMAR to manage contractual communications, Early Warnings, Compensation Events and associated records. This role will also play an important part in supporting and mentoring Apprentice and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, helping them develop their commercial capability and progress through their RICS development pathway.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Leadership and Governance
  • Lead the commercial management of cleanwater capital projects from mobilisation through to final account.
  • Drive commercial performance across the project portfolio, with a focus on cost control, cash recovery, margin protection and risk management.
  • Manage core commercial processes, including: Cash forecasting, Applications for Payment, Compensation Events, Target Cost Estimates/TCEs, Work in Progress management, Cost control and value management, Risk and opportunity management.
  • Ensure commercial reporting is accurate, timely and aligned with both internal and client expectations.
  • Support weekly CVR reviews, providing clear commentary on performance, risks, opportunities and required actions.
  • Ensure strong commercial governance, audit trails and evidence are maintained across all projects.
• Contract and Change Management
  • Manage and interpret NEC3/NEC4 contract requirements, ensuring contractual compliance and protection of commercial entitlement.
  • Build, validate and submit TCEs, ensuring they are accurate, well evidenced and aligned to the scope, programme and contract.
  • Prepare, submit and manage Compensation Events, including robust cost build-ups, supporting evidence and programme impact where required.
  • Raise and manage Early Warnings in line with contractual timescales.
  • Use CEMAR to manage Early Warnings, Compensation Events, formal communications and contract administration.
  • Oversee change management, ensuring variations, scope changes and programme impacts are captured, evidenced and progressed.
  • Support procurement, subcontract management, tendering and final account processes where required.
  • Ensure project teams understand key contractual obligations, early warning requirements and change control processes.
• Financial Management and Reporting
  • Manage project cost, value, risk and margin performance across allocated schemes.
  • Own and support accurate cash forecasting, revenue recognition and cost reporting.
  • Prepare and manage Applications for Payment in line with contract requirements.
  • Monitor and manage WIP, ensuring aged balances are reviewed, challenged and progressed.
  • Track, validate and manage cost allocations, variations, change controls and project movements.
  • Ensure accurate billing, cost recovery and commercial audit readiness.
  • Provide clear commercial analysis to support operational, client and senior leadership reviews.
• Cleanwater Project Support
  • Apply practical understanding of Clean water networks, capital delivery processes and operational constraints.
  • Understand the commercial and operational drivers within Clean water capital delivery, including labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, access constraints, scope changes and programme movement.
  • Work closely with Operations, Delivery, Planning and Finance teams to ensure project costs, risks and changes are captured accurately.
  • Ensure commercial decisions reflect the technical, regulatory and client specific requirements of wastewater projects.
  • Support the review of project performance, identifying trends, risks and opportunities across the capital programme.
• Client and Stakeholder Management
  • Act as a key commercial interface for our largest client, building strong, professional and collaborative relationships.
  • Work closely with internal stakeholders across Operations, Delivery, Finance, Planning, Procurement and Senior Leadership.
  • Support commercial discussions, project reviews, negotiations and performance meetings with the client.
  • Provide confident, solution focused communication on commercial risks, opportunities and performance.
  • Challenge and influence internal teams where required to ensure commercial requirements are understood and delivered.
  • Balance a collaborative client relationship with the need to protect the business’s commercial position.
• Team Development and RICS Mentorship
  • Mentor Apprentice and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, supporting their technical, commercial and contractual development.
  • Provide guidance aligned to RICS best practice and professional development requirements.
  • Review and support junior team members with AFPs, CEs, TCEs, WIP reviews, reporting and contract administration.
  • Promote a culture of continuous improvement, commercial awareness and professional growth within the team.
  • Help develop the next generation of commercial talent within the business.

Skills and Experience Required

Essential

• Proven experience as a Commercial Manager or Senior Quantity Surveyor within utilities, civil engineering, infrastructure, water industry.
• Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts.
• Practical understanding of cleanwater projects, wastewater networks or capital delivery environments.
• Demonstrable experience building, validating and managing TCEs.
• Experience managing Compensation Events, Early Warnings, Applications for Payment, cash forecasting and WIP.
• CEMAR system experience for contract administration and formal communications.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including cost control, forecasting, margin analysis and risk management.
• Ability to interpret contract requirements and apply them practically within a project delivery environment.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with internal teams, senior leaders and major clients.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to challenge, influence and support at all levels.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to produce accurate, well evidenced commercial submissions.

Desirable

• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related construction discipline.
• Experience mentoring Apprentice or Assistant Quantity Surveyors through their RICS development pathway.
• Experience working with major regulated utility clients or long term framework agreements.
• Strong Excel, reporting and commercial data analysis skills.
• Experience supporting commercial process improvement or digital reporting improvements.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute and confident.
• Proactive, organised and solutions focused.
• Strong communicator who can build trust and influence at all levels.
• Collaborative and approachable, while able to hold the commercial position when required.
• Detail-focused, with strong governance and contract discipline.
• Resilient under pressure and comfortable working in a fast paced environment.
• Able to turn complex commercial and contractual issues into clear actions.
• Passionate about developing others and supporting a strong commercial team.