PFI Commercial & Compliance Manager

Thomas Search is delighted to be partnering with a leading estate management organisation to recruit for a PFI Commercial & Compliance Manager. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join a client-side team managing a large and diverse portfolio of assets across a wide geographic area.

Key Purpose of Role

As Commercial & Compliance Manager you will enhance commercial efficiency, ensure strong adherence to contractual and assurance processes, assist with risk management, and support the fulfilment of the company commercial obligations. Provide high quality commercial, administrative and governance support to the Senior Leadership Team. Support operational and compliance assurance activities of the SPV. Performance monitoring and commercial oversight of the PFI project against contract deliverables.

Commercial Support

• Assist the Head of Commercial in preparing commercial reports, briefings, and recommendations for the Executive.
• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of commercial policies and procedures.
• Conduct data gathering, analysis and preparation of commercial documentation to support decision making.
• Assist in the administration of insurance renewals, claims processes, and associated documentation.
• Maintain clear document and version control for commercial files and contract documentation.
• Support negotiations with suppliers, advisors, and other external stakeholders by preparing materials, maintaining logs, and tracking actions.
• Support the Head of Commercial on contractual matters or broader commercial aspects of the SPV business.

Contract and Assurance Management

• Monitor FM performance against contractual PIs and service standards.
• Support the FM Assurance Manager in auditing FM systems, processes and quality management arrangements.
• Conduct systematic evaluation of audit evidence to support compliance monitoring and hand back readiness.
• Validate service scoring and identify areas where performance should be challenged.
• Review non-compliance and audit observations; record, track and follow-up corrective actions to resolution.
• Work with Finance colleagues to review the UP process, validating payments, performance deductions and service variations.
• Evidence and maintain clear audit trail in preparation for third party audits.
• Support the Construction Assurance Manager in reviewing specification and quality of construction activities against the Contractor's proposals.

General

• Review and maintain contract documentation, registers, trackers, and commercial databases to ensure accuracy and readiness for assurance activities.
• Prepare presentation materials, dashboards, and reporting packs for SMT and Executive meetings.
• Provide clear, evidence-based reporting to the SMT and Executive.
• Contribute to the development of improved systems for contract management, assurance, reporting, and commercial governance.
• Liaise with internal teams including Construction, FM assurance, Lifecycle, and Finance to gather information and ensure alignment.
• Uphold Company Vision and Values in all activities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or equivalent in Business, Law, Commercial Management, or related field.
• Experience supporting commercial, procurement, legal or contractual functions.
• Understanding of performance monitoring and auditing.
• Knowledge of Quality management systems.
• Experience supporting public-sector clients or regulated industries.
• Strong reporting and stakeholder management skills.
• Exposure to PPP/PFI contracts or long-term structured contractual environments (Desirable).
• Understanding of infrastructure, construction, or FM services (Desirable).
• Strong ICT skills.
• Ability to obtain MoD SC clearance within 3 months.
• Full driving licence.