Commercial and Contract lead
This is a senior opportunity to lead cost and contract management within a Major Projects environment, playing a key role in the delivery of complex, high-value infrastructure and energy programmes. Sitting within the Cost & Contract Management function, the role takes end-to-end responsibility for commercial, cost, and contractual performance across projects ranging from £20m to £1bn, from early cost planning and risk management through to contract administration and final account. Working closely with multidisciplinary internal teams and external partners, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy, providing trusted commercial leadership and ensuring value, risk control, and robust governance throughout the project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
• Lead all cost and contract management activity across major capital programmes, operating independently day-to-day
• Own full project cost control, forecasting, reporting, and financial performance
• Develop and implement commercial and contracting strategies using the NEC4 suite
• Negotiate, administer, and manage supplier contracts and commercial risk
• Play an integral role in procurement activity alongside procurement specialists
• Prepare, review, and enhance tender and contract documentation to ensure appropriate risk allocation
• Lead and manage external cost consultants, assuring quality, accuracy, and value of outputs
• Provide senior-level commercial, contractual, and financial advice to project leadership and executives
• Support project managers with claims management, commercial negotiations, and dispute avoidance
• Advise on the commercial implications of customer and third-party agreements
• Ensure statutory, regulatory, and governance requirements are consistently reflected in contracts
• Escalate and align on commercial risks and disputes in line with group best practice
Essential Skills & Experience
• Extensive senior-level experience in cost, commercial, and contract management within major infrastructure programmes
• Strong technical exposure across marine, civil infrastructure, and mechanical & electrical works
• Proven ability to design and deliver commercial and contractual strategies on complex projects
• Demonstrated expertise across the full project lifecycle in multidisciplinary environments
• Advanced experience in commercial programme management, risk allocation, and contract negotiation
• In-depth knowledge and hands-on administration of NEC4 contracts
• Strong analytical capability with a structured, solutions-oriented mindset
• Confident communicator and negotiator, able to influence at senior stakeholder level
• Degree (or equivalent experience) in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related discipline
• Chartered or professionally qualified (e.g. MRICS, MCIOB, MCIPS or equivalent)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and industry-standard cost management systems
Desirable Experience
• Knowledge of statutory and regulatory frameworks relevant to construction and infrastructure delivery
• Experience operating within regulated or public-sector procurement environments
• Understanding of both client-side and contractor-side commercial management
• Exposure to publicly funded bodies and/or private sector delivery models
• Ability to shape and influence commercial outcomes at a strategic level