At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a dynamic commercial team while managing projects at Heathrow.
- Company: Join WSP, a global leader in engineering and design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and flexible working locations.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape landmark projects and make a real impact in the building services sector.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in commercial management and financial planning in construction.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Description
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life.
You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives.
You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
To find out more about our Property and Buildings business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP:
- Property and Buildings | WSP
- A little more about your role…
You will be central to the highly collaborative Services South team; based across the Heathrow office primarily.
Your role will be at the heart of our high performing team, using your skills and expertise to help us continue driving forward in terms of both technical quality and service efficiency; whilst leading the teams senior engineers in their day to day project management activities.
What you’ll be doing
- Leadership: Leading and mentoring commercial team members, ensuring effective coordination between commercial, project, and technical teams.
Providing clear commercial direction to support delivery outcomes aligned with programme, budget, and contractual requirements.
- Commercial
Management: Developing and managing commercial strategies and controls across projects, including cost planning, forecasting, and reporting.
Supporting the setup of projects within financial systems (including Task 99 structures), ensuring appropriate allocation of budgets, cost tracking, and financial governance across workstreams.
- Financial
Management: Producing and overseeing financial reports, including cost forecasts, revenue tracking, invoicing, cash collection, and contribution to monthly project reviews.
Identifying commercial risks and opportunities and supporting actions to maintain or improve project financial performance.
- Business
Development: Leading or supporting the commercial aspects of tender bids, including pricing strategies, commercial risk assessments, and contractual inputs.
Working with wider WSP teams to support cross-selling opportunities and ensure commercially robust proposals.
- Client
Relations: Building and maintaining relationships with clients, supporting commercial discussions, negotiations, and agreement of changes.
Working collaboratively with project and client teams to achieve commercially sound outcomes while supporting overall project objectives.
- Compliance: Supporting adherence to contractual obligations, governance processes, and financial controls.
Contributing to audit requirements, maintaining clear commercial records, and supporting compliance with internal policies and client-specific commercial frameworks.
- Your Team
- Our team is comprised of approximately 60 engineers working across the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health specialisms
- Our team is split across our Brighton, Southampton, Heathrow, Basingstoke and Guildford offices giving the flexibility or work in either location on any given day.
Many of our team choose to alternate the office they work in to suit personal and client needs.
- As part of our team, you would be working on some of our major projects predominantly at Heathrow Airport.
This will be as part of a multi-disciplinary offering and so experience in building services, structural and civil engineering disciplines will be an advantage.
- You will be reporting to our Director that manages the various Frameworks at London Heathrow.
- You will be able to utilise graduate, assistant, senior and principal engineers in supporting roles around you, as well as dedicated BIM and Sustainability specialists to contribute to the successful delivery of your projects.
- What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…
- Extensive experience in commercial management, cost control, and financial planning within the construction or Building Services sector, within aviation or major infrastructure environments.
- Experience in managing commercial processes, systems, and tools (including cost management systems, forecasting tools, and enterprise resource planning), ensuring robust financial control across projects and programmes.
- In-depth understanding of commercial and contractual management, including administration of NEC/JCT contracts, change control, variations, and claims management.
- Proven ability to lead commercial activities independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing clear commercial direction and influencing project outcomes.
- Experience in managing the commercial aspects of technical projects within property and buildings, with a clear understanding of how design and delivery decisions impact cost, risk, and margin.
- Ability to represent WSP in commercial discussions with clients, contractors, and supply chain partners, supporting negotiations and ensuring commercially sound outcomes aligned with client objectives.
- Have financial acumen, including experience in forecasting, cost reporting, margin management, and identifying commercial risks and opportunities.
- Recent, demonstrable experience in leading commercial management across complex projects, including managing contractual risk, supporting dispute resolution, and driving improved commercial performance.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the commercial management of Building Services and multi-d projects and frameworks at Heathrow, providing strategic direction across the project lifecycle
- Influence business and project decisions to optimise commercial outcomes, balancing risk and opportunity
- Provide early commercial input into bids, pricing strategies, and delivery models
- Act as a trusted advisor to Project Directors and senior leadership on commercial matters
- Contract Management & Administration
- Oversee the administration of contracts (e. g. NEC, bespoke Heathrow forms), ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and risk positions
- Lead contract negotiations, variations, and change control processes, ensuring robust commercial governance
- Provide clear interpretation of contract provisions to project teams, supporting informed decision-making
- Manage and respond to contractual correspondence, notices, and claims
- Financial Management & Reporting
- Lead financial monitoring and reporting across projects, including cost management, revenue forecasting, and margin analysis
- Ensure that financial data is accurate, consistent, and aligned with project and business reporting requirements
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities affecting financial performance and provide actionable insights
- Support the development of robust cost plans and financial controls
- Risk & Opportunity Management
- Identify commercial risks and opportunities at project and portfolio level
- Develop and implement mitigation or enhancement strategies to protect and improve commercial performance
- Maintain clear visibility of risk exposure and ensure alignment with governance processes
- Support resolution of disputes and commercial challenges through structured negotiation
- Supply Chain & Procurement
- Oversee procurement strategies for Building Services packages, ensuring value for money and alignment with project objectives
- Manage relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors, including performance monitoring and issue resolution
- Ensure that supply chain engagements are commercially robust and compliant with contractual requirements
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with internal teams, clients, and supply chain partners to support effective commercial decision-making
- Build strong relationships with Heathrow commercial and programme teams
- Provide clear commercial advice to non-commercial stakeholders, supporting informed and balanced decisions
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop commercial team members, supporting professional development (e. g. MRICS progression)
- Promote consistency and best practice in commercial management across the team
- Support recruitment and capability planning in line with business needs
Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.
Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact.
Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.
With us, you can. Apply today.
#LI-CH1
Senior Commercial Manager (Building Services) in Guildford employer: WSP
WSP is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds that fosters professional growth and development through initiatives like the Land Academy. With a strong emphasis on hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that shape urban and rural landscapes across the UK and Ireland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Manager (Building Services) in Guildford
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like WSP, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Senior Commercial Manager (Building Services) at WSP.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Commercial Manager (Building Services) in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at WSP
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
