Commercial Manager in Retford

Salary: £58,320 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

Division: UKFE - Commercial

Site Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire

Department: UKFE - Commercial and Supply Chain

Company Description: The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype. Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground-breaking journey.

As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

The salary for this role is £51,317 (An additional allowance of £5,800 may be paid where MCIPS is held). This position is to be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

The Commercial Manager is a senior commercial professional responsible for either (or both) pre and post contract commercial activity that could include procurement (strategy and delivery), financial management, cost control, and commercial assurance of complex construction, engineering and/or infrastructure contracts within one or more Integrated Project Teams (IPTs). Operating with a degree of autonomy, the role holder provides expert commercial advice across the full project lifecycle—from cost planning and procurement through to final account agreement. The role holder will work closely with internal stakeholders, external partners, and key suppliers to ensure the successful execution of contracts, with a focus on alliancing, collaborative working, and delivering business objectives. This position is pivotal to ensuring that all contractual obligations are met, and value for money is continually delivered while maintaining regulatory and contractual compliance and enabling seamless collaboration across the organisation and its strategic partners. Depending on the IPT or business unit the role holder is deployed in, duties of the role will be delivered in line with RICS or CIPS professional standards, organisational governance, and regulatory requirements (including PA23 where applicable).

The role holder will be accountable for the oversight of one or more contracts or procurements within their area, acting as the STEP commercial representative on contracts or procurements where authority is delegated from the Lead Commercial Manager or Senior Commercial Manager.

Pre-contract and Procurement

Dependent on the specifics of the role and IPT the role holder is deployed in, the role holder will be required to:

• Support the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex contracts, including but not limited to joint venture agreements, supply contracts, construction agreements, and service contracts, specific to the IPT or business unit.
• Collaborate with technical, legal and sourcing teams to ensure that contract terms reflect project objectives, regulatory requirements, and compliance standards.
• Assess and identify potential risks within contracts and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Collaborate with technical stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate performance metrics in contracts.
• Lead in the management and delivery of procurements within a regulated environment.

Cost Management & Commercial Control

Dependent on the specifics of the role and IPT the role holder is deployed in, the role holder will be required to:

• Lead the cost management of major construction, infrastructure or engineering contracts, ensuring accurate forecasting, budgetary control, and cost assurance.
• Manage and be accountable for cost plans and cost breakdown structures, target costs and pain/gain mechanisms, forecasts, cashflows, and earned value metrics.
• Provide authoritative advice on commercial and cost impacts of design development, scope change, and programme movement.
• Be accountable for the management of costs in line with approved budgets, governance thresholds, and delegated authorities.

Measurement, Valuation & Change Control

Ensure change is being managed effectively on contracts within the role holder’s portfolio e.g. properly instructed, valued, negotiated, and recorded in accordance with contractual mechanisms (e.g. NEC). Be accountable for ensuring that contractor submissions deliver value for money, robustness, and contractual compliance. Support direct reports in reaching agreement on final accounts and ensure timely, controlled contract close-out.

Contract Support

Provide expert guidance to direct reports on contract selection, pricing mechanisms, risk allocation, and commercial models. Lead commercial negotiations at tender and post-contract stages. Be accountable for ensuring contracts are administered in line with agreed terms, governance standards, and regulatory requirements. Provide expert guidance and leadership in the management of cost and commercial risks, ensuring mitigation strategies are developed and implemented. Lead dispute avoidance activities through early intervention, commercial negotiation, and robust contract administration. Provide expertise and leadership in formal dispute resolution processes where required. Support the Lead Commercial Manager and Senior Commercial Manager in resolution of complex and/or escalated issues and disputes.

Reporting, Governance & Assurance

Produce and present high-quality cost and commercial reporting to senior stakeholders. Maintain accurate, auditable cost and contract records in line with organisational and regulatory requirements across the role holder’s portfolio. Support internal and external audits and provide professional commercial assurance. Drive continuous improvement in cost management processes, data quality, and reporting discipline.

Stakeholder Management & Leadership

Build and maintain trusted relationships within the wider Commercial team, Project Managers, Engineers, Finance, and senior stakeholders. Represent the organisation as the lead cost and commercial authority in meetings with contractors and delivery partners. Provide mentoring, guidance, and professional oversight to direct reports, and other commercial colleagues. Act as a role model for professional integrity, ethical behaviour, and organisational values.

Embody a Leadership Mindset

Regardless of your formal position, you embody a leadership mindset and a set of leadership behaviours. You embrace and embody our organization's culture, values, and mission in all aspects of your work. Foster a positive and inclusive team environment that aligns with our cultural values. Contribute to maintaining a respectful and collaborative workplace, valuing diversity, and promoting teamwork. Act as a cultural ambassador, representing our organization's values and professionalism in interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and ethical behaviour. Make informed decisions and solve problems effectively, considering diverse perspectives and organisational goals.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested.

Qualifications

We are looking for a strategic and results-driven contract professional with a strong background in engineering, infrastructure, or major project contract management. Significant experience in commercial and/or Procurement on construction, infrastructure engineering projects or similar. Proven ability to manage high-value, high-risk contracts across the project lifecycle. Strong understanding of standard forms of contract (e.g. NEC, bespoke construction contracts). Demonstrable expertise in cost forecasting, valuation, change control, and final accounts. Excellent analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. Experience working in highly regulated or public-sector environments. Experience supporting or managing quantity surveying/procurement staff. Familiarity with assurance, governance, and delegated authority frameworks.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email talent@ukifs.uk if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation. We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.