Commercial Manager

The Commercial Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the Estimating and Quantity Surveying functions within SCL, while providing hands-on Quantity Surveying support where required. The role ensures that tender activity is focused on high-quality, commercially viable opportunities and that live projects achieve improved margins through robust forecasting, accurate CVRs and effective contract cost control. The Commercial Manager provides clear, reliable commercial insight to the Commercial Director and Finance team, supporting margin optimisation, cash flow management and informed business decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Estimating team, controlling tender workload, priorities and resources.
• Ensure tender activity is focused on the most commercially attractive and strategically aligned opportunities.
• Ensure all enquiries are returned on time and tender adjudications are completed to the required standard.
• Review tenders to ensure appropriate margin, risk assessment and scope clarity.
• Lead and manage the Quantity Surveying team against agreed KPIs and performance targets.
• Drive continuous improvement in project margins and commercial performance.
• Ensure accurate contract costings and robust commercial forecasts are in place.
• Ensure timely, accurate and well-controlled monthly CVRs across the business.
• Provide direct Quantity Surveying support on selected projects where risk, workload or business need dictates.
• Prepare, review or approve valuations, variations and final accounts as required.
• Support project teams during critical commercial periods or where resourcing gaps arise.
• Work closely with the Finance team to ensure alignment between commercial forecasts and financial reporting.
• Provide accurate, timely cost, margin and forecast information to support management accounts.
• Support cash flow forecasting through reliable and well-informed commercial data.
• Assist Finance with explanations of commercial variances and cost movements.
• Review CVRs and forecasts prior to submission to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Report margin, forecast and commercial performance data to the Commercial Director.
• Ensure commercial information provided to Finance is clear, consistent and reliable.

Measures of Success

• Improved quality of tender submissions and increased tender success rate.
• Improved project margins against Quantity Surveying KPIs.
• Accurate, timely and robust CVRs and forecasts.
• Strong alignment between commercial and financial reporting.
• Effective and timely Quantity Surveying support where required.
• Clear, reliable and high-quality commercial reporting.

Qualifications/Knowledge (essential)

• Degree (or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or Construction.
• Minimum 8-10 years’ experience in a Quantity Surveying / Commercial role within construction.
• Proven experience as a Commercial Manager, Managing QS, or Senior QS.
• Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR).
• Commercial forecasting and final accounts.
• Contract cost control and reporting.
• Experience managing and coordinating QS and Estimating functions.
• Solid understanding of tendering and adjudication processes.
• Commercial risk and margin management.
• Experience working closely with Finance teams, including forecast and variance alignment.
• Good working knowledge of JCT and/or NEC contracts.
• Strong Excel and commercial reporting capability.
• Ability and willingness to undertake hands-on QS duties when required.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that diversity makes us stronger and that everyone deserves to feel respected, valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process in line with the Equality Act 2010. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to support applicants with disabilities at any stage.