Job Title: Senior Commercial Manager – Nuclear
Location: Lancashire
Employment Type: Permanent
Reports To: Head of Commercial
Overview
Our client is a leading engineering and project delivery organisation operating across highly regulated sectors, including nuclear, defence, and infrastructure. They have a proven track record of successfully delivering complex, high-value projects through strong technical capability, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.
With a culture built on integrity, safety and innovation, they offer their teams the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most challenging and rewarding programmes — supporting national infrastructure and contributing to long-term energy and environmental goals.
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Commercial Manager to lead the commercial activities within the Civil Nuclear business unit. This role is responsible for providing strategic commercial leadership, managing contracts, mitigating risk, and supporting project delivery from tender stage through to completion.
The Role
The Senior Commercial Manager will take ownership of all commercial functions within the Civil Nuclear business unit, providing direction and support to both project and senior leadership teams. This individual will play a key role in maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring commercial excellence across all aspects of project delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading and managing commercial activity across the Civil Nuclear business unit.
* Building strong working relationships with project teams, clients and directors to ensure alignment and performance.
* Overseeing contract management, including the review, drafting and negotiation of NEC and other contract forms.
* Preparing and managing framework agreements, subcontracts, NDAs and task orders.
* Providing expert commercial advice and contract interpretation to project teams.
* Supporting Project Managers in client-facing commercial discussions, including compensation events and early warnings.
* Developing and negotiating subcontract strategies and agreements with appropriate risk allocation.
* Managing tender and contract reviews and providing input into bid documentation and risk registers.
* Identifying and implementing commercial improvements, efficiencies and standardisation opportunities.
* Managing commercial correspondence and ensuring accurate reporting through systems such as CEMAR.
* Mentoring and developing the wider commercial team, promoting a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Company Culture & Benefits
The organisation prides itself on fostering a collaborative and progressive working environment, where employee development and wellbeing are key priorities.
Package includes:
* 37.5-hour working week
* Life Assurance – 3x salary
* Private healthcare package
* Pension – 5% company contribution / 4% employee contribution
* Discretionary annual bonus
* 187.5 hours annual holiday allowance
* Professional memberships covered
* Large training and development budget available
Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications:
* Relevant degree or equivalent professional accreditation.
* Membership of a recognised professional body (e.g. RICS, CICES, ICES).
* NEC Certified Practitioner (minimum 3 years’ experience).
* GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above) in Maths and English or equivalent.
* Health & Safety Level 2 certification – desirable.
Experience & Knowledge:
* Minimum 10 years’ experience in commercial and contract management roles.
* Strong working knowledge of NEC3 and/or NEC4 contracts.
* Proven experience managing commercial risk and confidential information.
* Familiarity with project management processes and governance frameworks.
* Experience within the nuclear or other highly regulated sectors – desirable.
* Understanding of QSHEW requirements and ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001 standards – desirable.