Senior Commercial Advisor in Ellesmere Port

Wood is currently recruiting for a Senior Commercial Advisor assigned to the Process & Energy team supporting various clients in the North West England location. Hybrid working arrangements available between working office and site.

The Commercial functions vision is; realising returns, managing risk, maximising opportunities. As Wood continues to grow and diversify to meet the demands of an ever-changing world, the commercial function plays a leading role in ensuring we unlock our full potential, capture the value we create, and are correctly rewarded for this by our clients. To achieve this we challenge the norm and look for new ways of working, we are curious and seek out value add innovation, we embrace change, and we are courageous and confident in managing risk. At the heart of everything we do is the application of good commercial acumen and governance for which we are well-known and respected.

At a high level, the job objectives are; under limited supervision and reporting directly into the Commercial Manager:

• Maximise commercial performance while managing business/project risks (pre and post-contract)
• Commercialisation of a sub-Business Group service offerings to support business growth and strategy
• Ensure compliance with relevant commercial/contracting policies
• Resolution of disputes/claims and cash collection issues
• Embedding effective commercial and project controls governance and assurance across the sub-Business Group / Project/ Portfolio of Projects
• Supporting the tender governance process for the sub-Business Group

What we can offer:

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to high profile clients across the Energy Sector
• Flexible working arrangements that balance client, team and individual needs offering hybrid and remote working where relevant
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business
• Competitive remuneration package with regular reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market
• Flexible benefits package inclusive of 33 days annual leave (including public holidays), plus the potential for one additional ‘flex day’ per month. Further benefits include a generous contributory pension scheme, private medical cover, 4x base salary life insurance; all of these and more that can be adapted to suit your own lifestyle
• Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests
• Global connections; join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession

Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements at all times and that all Wood obligations are understood and fulfilled by the Project teams
• The management and administration of Bonds / LoCs, Collateral warranties and PCGs
• Timely provision of commercial / contract deliverables (e.g. bonds, PCGs, evidence of insurance)
• Contracting Policy approval requests in conjunction with the Contracts function highlighting areas of risk and mitigation strategies (in conjunction with contracts and other functions, as required) and responding to queries raised by approvers
• The development, implementation, and maintenance of project commercial plans including commercial strategy, subcontracting commercial strategy, and profit improvement plans
• Regular cost analysis to: i. maximise recoverable costs, ii. minimise disallowable costs, iii. identify areas for cost saving and iv. ensure adequate cost accruals and provisions are in place
• Development and maintenance of project-specific / sub-business group DOAs (if required) and ensuring that all commercial-related DOA matters are correctly approved and documented
• The preparation of project cashflow forecasts, expenditure, invoice preparation, and expediting of payments, in accordance with client contract requirements and Wood processes and procedures
• Ensure that, where applicable, all remeasures of Work Done To Date are completed in a timely manner and any additional entitlement is applied for through relevant channels
• Working with the project planner/scheduler to ensure that the programme is cost loaded in line with the estimate for accuracy and ease of reporting. Ensure meaningful project data is determined and analysed in order to enable the management teams can make accurate business decisions, including reporting of Actual Cost vs WDTD vs FC, change management, KPIs such as SPI/CPI/PFs, EVM and ELFs. Ensure that any EWNs, VONs are captured and reflected within the programme to protect Wood’s position from any potential delay penalties
• Developing subcontracting commercial strategy in conjunction with Project Management, supply chain, and other functions, as required
• Provide due diligence on Subcontractor Application for Payments, issuing timely payment certs for approved works, and ensuring that any VON’s are verified and ensure subsequent pass through of the VON’s to Wood’s ultimate customer
• The preparation and analysis of inputs to key contract and internal project reporting requirements and participation in both customer and internal project reviews
• Developing robust project forecasts (ELFs), in conjunction with the project team
• Preparation of detailed budgets in conjunction with the Finance function for each calendar year, or as dictated by the business
• Preparation of monthly CVRs including review of accrued & deferred income, accrued and deferred costs
• Ensure that the overall contract DSO is managed and in line with contractual entitlement, ensuring that WIP balances are kept to a minimum level and that contract debt is paid in line with agreed payment terms
• Assists and delivers under supervision:
• Implementation of the Tender Governance Process within the assigned sub-business group
• Governance and implementation of Financial Management Framework within assigned project/sub-business group
• The preparation and negotiation of Terms and Conditions with clients, suppliers, and potential partners
• The administration of risk management processes pre and post contract

Qualifications:

What makes you remarkable? At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Law, or Business Studies, along with appropriate professional qualification (preferred)
• Strong experience in a similar role within the Petrochemical, Process & Energy sectors
• Experience in multidiscipline framework contracts consisting of MEISIP scopes or work
• Experience in various contract forms ie NEC3/4, JCT, client bespoke forms
• Awareness of all relevant corporate and project procedures
• Proven experience in contract administration including change management

Personal attributes:

• Utmost integrity
• Demonstrates commitment to Wood and client core values
• Demonstrate commitment to Wood commercial processes and procedures
• Excellent communication skills, written, oral, and presentation
• Ability to work as part of a team and manage others
• Ability to prioritise key tasks and solve problems for the team
• Advanced user of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint