Lead Commercial Manager - Regional Civil Engineering in Winchester

Do you want to put your stamp on a growing self-delivery business unit and lead a high-performing commercial team? We’re looking for a Lead Commercial Manager to shape the commercial performance of our Regional Civil Engineering (RCE) business, the self-delivery arm of Octavius, where we directly deliver our highways and public realm new build, maintenance, and vehicle restraint systems (VRS) work using our own in-house teams. This is a great opportunity to commercially manage your own business unit and set the pace, raise the bar, and drive performance across Regional Civil Engineering (RCE).

Responsibilities

• Shape a business unit: You’ll put your own stamp on a unit that’s grown and has the potential to grow more, shifting towards longer-term, larger projects while still excelling in reactive maintenance.
• Lead and nurture talent: You’ll grow, develop and coach a supportive, high-performing commercial team and strengthen a culture of accountability and improvement.
• Make a visible impact: You’ll set direction, elevate standards and strengthen performance, while building strong, positive relationships with clients and colleagues.

You’ll typically spend 3-4 days a week in our Winchester office or on site, depending on project needs, with the remainder from home.

Who We Are

Octavius is a leading UK civil engineering and transport infrastructure business, with over 700 employees delivering high-quality Rail and Highways projects across the country. We’re proud of our people, our culture and our vision to be the UK's most respected provider of transport infrastructure. Our Regional Civil Engineering business is growing rapidly, and as we expand our pipeline of work, we’re creating exciting opportunities for people who want to make an impact and build their career in a supportive, forward-looking team.

What You’ll Do

You will own commercial performance across frameworks and projects in RCE, working hand-in-hand with delivery teams and clients to enable sound, progressive decision-making. You’ll head the commercial performance of the business, working with several clients, both inside and outside of secured frameworks as their self-delivery partner of choice.

What You’ll Also Do

• Drive revenue and margin: Monitor financial performance metrics, trigger early actions, and engage in monthly CVR reviews to identify variances and pursue remedial actions.
• Steer commercial governance: Ensure robust reporting, strong cash management (minimising WIP, prompt settlement of issues, timely approvals), and compliance with contractual/regulatory standards.
• Own framework-level consolidation: Keep a tight grip on numbers at framework level, providing clear insights that inform decisions across the portfolio.
• Advocate NEC contract management: Guide contractual terms, dispute resolution, and risk/opportunity management across all forms of NEC (including Highways Term Service Agreements).
• Enable pre-delivery success: Support bids and pricing strategies, advising on contractual mechanisms to mitigate risk and enhance profitability.
• Strengthen supply chain performance: Engage proactively to improve service and profitability through strategically aligned supplier relationships.
• Build a successful team: Organise resources to deliver programme requirements, ensure effective 1-to-1s and development plans, and upskill through training and coaching—role-modelling our values and the culture we want to see.
• Pulse-check reality: Maintain a sharp view of what’s going well (and what isn’t), identify and track material issues, and lead targeted interventions that stick.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a positive disruptor, professional, composed, and confident enough to diplomatically get things moving. Someone who thrives in a pressurised environment and uses data to drive clarity and action.

You’ll Also Have

• Proven success in a commercial managerial position in a civil engineering environment; highways experience preferred.
• Experience managing the commercial performance of a portfolio of projects in self-delivery civil engineering.
• NEC expertise across forms, including Highways Term Service Agreements.
• Experience as both Principal Contractor and Tier 2 self-delivery partner.
• Proven track record across project scales, from Major Projects (>£10m) to smaller reactive works projects.
• Framework-level consolidation experience and ability to analyse data, pinpoint material issues, and track them to resolution.
• Commercial acumen & resilience to influence senior partners, negotiate, resolve disputes, and respond to changing priorities with composure.
• A strong track record building effective relationships, leading teams, and coaching to raise performance.
• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Professional membership (RICS/CICES) desirable.

What You’ll Get

We offer a competitive package including company car or car allowance, private healthcare, pension, life assurance, and 25 days' annual leave plus your birthday off. You’ll also have access to Hybrid working where possible, an enhanced Paternity & Maternity package and the opportunity to develop yourself personally and professionally.

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re an experienced Commercial Manager looking for a role where you can lead, influence and help shape the future of our self-delivery highways business, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of our RCE growth story.

Inclusion and diversity are important to us, we are an equal opportunities employer and value difference. We want and will continue to build an inclusive environment where our people thrive. We firmly believe constantly striving to build a truly diverse workforce is what makes us a strong business and will enable us to continue to solve important problems and deliver unrivalled value to both our customers and clients. If you need any specialist support throughout your application, we will work with you where we can to support your journey with us.