Commercial Assurance Specialist in Birmingham

We're looking for a highly motivated and commercially minded Commercial Assurance Specialist to join our Commercial Projects team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in ensuring strong financial governance, commercial assurance and performance oversight across a diverse portfolio of projects. Working closely with Commercial Managers, Area Leads and Delivery Partners, you'll help ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets, regulatory allowances and commercial targets. You'll provide valuable insight, challenge and assurance throughout the project lifecycle, supporting informed decision-making and driving continuous improvement in commercial performance. Because we know flexibility matters, this role offers a hybrid approach to working, combining home and office working. While we'd ideally like you to be based in the South West, but we're open to candidates located near any of our offices across the East Midlands, West Midlands, South West or Wales. Travel across our licence areas will be needed as part of this role.

About Us

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light and power for homes and businesses. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain effective financial governance processes across the Commercial Projects portfolio.
• Ensure all projects comply with NGED financial governance, delegated authority and internal control requirements.
• Provide independent assurance that project expenditure remains within approved budgets and governance thresholds.
• Introduce and maintain commercial controls and assurance processes ('guard rails') to minimise financial risk and prevent overspend.
• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets, regulatory allowances and commercial targets.
• Produce accurate spend forecasts in collaboration with Area Leads, Commercial Managers and Delivery Partners.
• Identify emerging financial risks and recommend corrective actions to maintain delivery within budget.
• Develop reporting and insight to support management decision-making.
• Monitor contractor financial and commercial performance against agreed contractual arrangements.
• Support commercial reviews and audits to ensure compliance with NGED governance requirements.
• Work closely with Area Leads to balance operational delivery with commercial performance.
• Challenge project assumptions where expenditure, programme or delivery outcomes may adversely affect commercial objectives.
• Develop new commercial assurance processes to support the team's evolving portfolio.
• Improve forecasting methodologies, reporting tools and management information.
• Build productive relationships with Commercial Projects, Finance, Procurement, Operations and Delivery Partners.

The Ideal Candidate

You'll have experience in commercial or project financial management, with a strong understanding of budget management, forecasting, governance and financial controls.

• Experience monitoring project budgets, expenditure and forecasting performance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide meaningful insights.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience using ERP or financial systems.
• Knowledge of financial governance, assurance processes and internal controls.
• Experience working with contractors, suppliers or delivery partners.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and organisational skills.
• The ability to work flexibly, challenge constructively and support continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of NGED financial systems, or the ability to quickly become proficient.
• An understanding of RIIO price controls and the Ofgem regulatory framework.
• Experience working within utilities, infrastructure or capital project environments.
• Experience developing commercial reporting, dashboards and management information.
• A track record of improving processes and driving efficiencies through continuous improvement initiatives.

About The Company

Joining the UK’s leading electricity distribution business means plenty of career opportunities and well-deserved recognition. We reward hard work and encourage ambition. As well as a competitive salary, you will also benefit from:

• 26 days paid leave plus 8 bank holidays, up to 28 days with continuous service
• Competitive contributory pension scheme (we double match your contributions up to a maximum of 12%)
• Annual Share Save plan
• Life assurance x 4 annual salary
• Contributory private healthcare scheme for you and your family
• Support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services
• Free on-site parking at all our main sites

Things you need to know

As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. If you require additional support to complete your online application, please email nged.recruitment@nationalgrid.co.uk. In most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin. National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to safeguarding the interests of the Company, colleagues and customers. This role is subject to a satisfactory Barring Service, (DBS) check, depending on the role different levels of screening and vetting are required. Some roles require a triannual check. Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, please check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.

Contact Details: National Grid
Tel: 000 000 0000
Contact: Stacey Carrington (WP)
Email: