Job Description
The Commercial Manager plays a critical role in shaping and delivering UKAEA’s strategic commercial agenda. This position leads the development, negotiation, and management of complex commercial agreements—including collaboration contracts, consortium arrangements, and framework deals—across the organisation. Operating at the heart of high-value, multi-million-pound engagements, the role enables impactful partnerships and supports the delivery of UKAEA’s growing Research & Development (R&D) portfolio.
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Core responsibilities
* Coordinate commercial support for major projects, ensuring timely input to meet milestones and compliance with Public Contracts Regulations.
* Draft, review and negotiate complex strategic agreements, including collaboration, consortium and framework arrangements with external partners and suppliers.
* Lead high-value commercial engagements, identifying and mitigating commercial and legal risks while maximising value.
* Determine contract structure, risk allocation and negotiation strategy, exercising sound judgement and escalating where appropriate.
* Engage senior stakeholders across Legal, Procurement, Finance and Operations to align agreements with organisational objectives.
* Manage the full lifecycle of strategic agreements, including execution, amendments, renewals and close-out.
* Develop and maintain templates, playbooks and guidance to drive consistency, efficiency and best practice.
* Support governance and reporting requirements, maintaining accurate records and providing insight into performance and risk exposure.
* Monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments, particularly within regulated and international environments.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the development and implementation of commercial strategies across UKAEA, providing operational leadership on complex projects.
Qualifications
* Strong experience in Public Sector procurement, with sound knowledge of the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR 2023).
* Broad technical understanding across a range of procurement categories, underpinned by strategic procurement expertise.
* Commercially astute and customer-focused, with the ability to balance value, risk and stakeholder priorities.
* Advanced negotiation skills, including experience negotiating at senior levels and a working knowledge of NEC forms of contract.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
* Collaborative and effective team player, contributing positively within a Commercial Procurement team environment.
Additional Information
A full list of our benefits can be found here but highlights include:
* £57117 base salary inclusive of specialist allowance
* Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
* 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure, 2.5 privilege day and 8 Bank holidays
* Flexible and hybrid working options
UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit. Further information can be found here .