Commercial Manager

We are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to provide strategic commercial leadership across UK framework and project delivery, operating predominantly under JCT and NEC forms of contract on schemes typically valued between £10m and £50m.

The role is responsible for setting commercial direction, protecting margin, and ensuring robust contractual governance, change control, and risk management across the business. You will support complex contractual decisions, early warning and compensation event strategy (NEC), variation management (JCT), and high‑value negotiations, while maintaining strong client relationships.

A key part of the role is leading and developing Senior Quantity Surveyors and their teams, embedding best practice, commercial discipline, and continuous improvement across framework environments.

• Set and oversee commercial strategy for projects, frameworks, or regions.
• Ensure profitability, margin protection, and commercial governance.
• Lead commercial planning from tender to final account.
• Support business development with commercial input into bids, pricing strategy, and client negotiations.

Contract Management & Governance

• Act as the organisation’s authority on contract conditions (JCT, NEC, FIDIC, bespoke).
• Oversee contract compliance, notices, change control, and dispute avoidance.
• Manage high value or high risk claims, adjudications, or negotiations.
• Establish commercial procedures and ensure consistent application across teams.
• Own the P&L performance for projects, portfolios, or business units.
• Approve and challenge cost forecasts, CVRs, cash flow reports, and risk registers.
• Oversee revenue recognition, accruals, and commercial audit compliance.
• Provide monthly commercial commentary to senior leadership.

Risk, Opportunity & Change Management

• Lead strategic risk workshops and implement risk mitigation plans.
• Drive identification and conversion of opportunities (value engineering, commercial leverage, alternative procurement solutions).
• Ensure robust change management, valuation, and evidence capture processes.
• Make commercial decisions balancing risk, value, and client relationship.
• Oversee procurement strategies, supply chain selection, and performance management.
• Negotiate major contracts, framework agreements, and commercial terms.
• Resolve escalated subcontract disputes and performance issues.
• Develop long‑term supply chain partnerships and cost efficiencies.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as senior commercial interface with clients, consultants, and partners.
• Lead commercial meetings, dispute resolution discussions, and negotiations.
• Influence client expectations around change, cost, contractual obligations, and programme impacts.
• Support key account management strategies.
• Lead and mentor a team of SQS, QS, AQS, and Commercial Administrators.
• Oversee resource planning, staff development, and commercial capability building.
• Support succession planning and recruitment within the commercial function.
• Uphold professional standards and promote a commercially aware culture.

Requirements

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Professional accreditations (e.g., MRICS, MCIOB).
• Extensive knowledge of UK contract frameworks.
• Typically 10+ years in construction commercial roles, with a minimum of 5–7 years in senior or managerial positions.
• Led commercial teams on multi‑million‑pound projects.
• Expertise in financial reporting.
• Proficiency in procurement, sub‑contractor management, and negotiation.

Diversity & Inclusion

We advocate for difference and champion diversity to foster an inclusive environment that allows our people to bring their true selves to their work every day and enable our people to thrive by promoting health and preventing harm. Keltbray welcomes everyone who shares our values, regardless of their age, belief, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, maternity status, marital status, pregnancy, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

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