At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Highways team with commercial administration and reporting.
- Company: Join VolkerHighways, a leader in highways and street lighting maintenance.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values fairness and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on infrastructure projects while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong numerical skills and experience in administrative support are essential.
About Us
VolkerHighways is a market leader in the delivery of highways and street lighting term maintenance contracts. We build strong collaborative relationships with our clients to drive improvements and efficiency in all our activities. We have the capability to deliver major surfacing and public realm infrastructure projects. Our specialist in-house traffic management division provides expert advice and support across the industry, whilst assisting with our own, in-house contracts.
About the role (1-year Fixed-Term Contract)
We are looking to recruit a Commercial Administrator to join our Highways team, supporting our Highways Maintenance work in Wokingham on a one year fixed term contract. Based at our Wokingham depot, you will provide valuable support to the commercial and operational teams, helping to ensure accurate reporting, effective cost control and maximised revenue recovery across the contract. The tasks will be varied to support the commercial team and whilst not exhaustive, will include:
- Coordinating, reviewing and submitting weekly Applications for Payment (AFPs), ensuring submissions are accurate and compliant with contractual requirements
- Validating application data, site records and supporting documentation to identify discrepancies and revenue recovery opportunities
- Monitoring certification, payment status and outstanding applications to support cash collection and revenue realisation
- Monitoring labour, plant, fleet, subcontractor, material and overhead costs across the contract
- Supporting the onboarding and administration of subcontractor accounts
- Maintaining utilisation, fleet and resource planning data, identifying inefficiencies and supporting improved performance
- Gathering, validating and consolidating commercial information for weekly and monthly reporting requirements
- Producing analysis and reports to support operational and commercial decision making
- Building strong working relationships with clients, operational teams, finance functions, supply chain partners and other key stakeholders
- Providing commercial support to operational teams to ensure accurate commercial and operational reporting
About you
- Previous experience working in an administrative or commercial support role
- Strong numerical and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work with a range of stakeholders
- A proactive approach with the ability to work on your own initiative and support the wider team
Desirable:
- Experience within the construction, highways or infrastructure sectors
- Understanding of commercial processes such as valuations, CVRs and subcontractor management
- Familiarity with commercial or finance systems such as Microsoft Business Central
In this role, you will contribute to maximising revenue recovery, improving commercial governance and reporting accuracy, enhancing visibility of fleet and resource performance, and supporting the efficient delivery of our Wokingham Highways Maintenance contract.
If your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.
Why work with us?
VolkerHighways is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerHighways are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.
We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees. We offer a range of benefits, including:
- Competitive salary
- Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
- Option to buy additional annual leave
- Private medical care
- Pension
- Life Assurance
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
- Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefit
- Flexible working opportunities
- Employee Assistance programme
- Mental health, physical health, and financial support
- 24/7 Virtual GP service
Fairness, inclusion and respect
We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.
If you need support with your application, please contact us at.
Additional information
Note for Recruitment Agencies: Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release. We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed.
VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.
Commercial Administrator in Wokingham employer: VolkerWessels UK Ltd
VolkerWessels UK Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises safety and innovation in civil engineering. With competitive benefits such as private medical care and flexible working opportunities, employees are encouraged to grow through comprehensive training while contributing to impactful projects in the vibrant area of Gravesend. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and fosters professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Administrator in Wokingham
✨Get Your Foot in the Door
Temporary roles in construction often rely on quick recruitment, so make sure to visit local recruitment agencies that specialise in the construction sector. They usually have a go-to list of companies that need staff urgently, helping us connect with potential employers faster.
✨Leverage Community Connections
Construction is all about connections! Check out local trade events, networking gatherings, or even social media groups focused on your area. Engaging with the community can lead to insider knowledge about temporary job openings that might not be advertised anywhere else.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Solid Portfolio
Even for temporary gigs, a visual portfolio can really set you apart. Take photos of previous projects you’ve worked on, or if you're fresh in the industry, show examples of your work during training. This can help us demonstrate our hands-on experience to potential employers, like VolkerWessels UK Ltd.
✨Apply Directly at Construction Sites
Don’t overlook the power of walking directly into construction sites. Many temporary positions are filled on the spot, so it’s worth popping by local sites and having a face-to-face chat. Bring your CV and be ready to impress, as companies like VolkerWessels UK Ltd appreciate proactive candidates ready to jump in when needed.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Administrator in Wokingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:In the construction game, having hands-on experience matters! Be sure to showcase any previous temporary roles or projects you've worked on in your CV. Mention specific skills like safety protocols, tools you're familiar with, or types of construction work you've done – this will help you stand out!
Showcase Certifications and Training:If you've got any relevant certifications or training like a CSCS card or health and safety courses, flaunt them! Include them in your CV and mention them in your cover letter. It shows that you're not just ready to get to work but that you've got the essential safety knowledge, which is super important in the construction industry.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:For a temporary role, flexibility is key! In your cover letter, make sure to clearly state your availability – are you ready to start immediately? Can you work various shifts? Letting VolkerWessels UK Ltd know how adaptable you are might just get you the edge over other candidates.
Keep it Concise and Clear:When applying for temporary roles in construction, employers often appreciate brevity. Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. Focus on the skills and experiences that align most with what VolkerWessels UK Ltd is looking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff to make it easier for them to see why you’re the perfect fit!
How to prepare for a job interview at VolkerWessels UK Ltd
✨Show Off Your Safety Knowledge
In construction, health and safety is non-negotiable. Get comfortable with specific safety regulations like COSHH or Working at Height – you might get asked how you’d handle risk assessments or unsafe conditions. We need to show that we prioritise safety above all else.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect practical questions or even a mini test where you’ll need to demonstrate basic skills. They might set up a scenario and ask how you would approach a specific task. Let’s prepare by brushing up on our trade skills and thinking through past projects we’ve worked on.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll want to know if you can adapt quickly to different teams and situations. Let's think about past experiences where we've had to adjust on the fly. This will show we’re ready to hit the ground running!
✨Highlight Your Previous Experience
Temporary roles often require hitting the ground running, so make sure to have a few stories lined up that showcase your relevant experience in construction. We want to emphasise skills that might not be on our CV—like teamwork and problem-solving when things don't go to plan.