Job 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.
About The Role
As a Senior Commercial Manager within WSP’s PMCM Rail Team, you will play a critical part in overseeing and driving the commercial success of complex rail projects of regional and national importance. Operating within our clients’ organisations and delivery teams, you will ensure commercial governance, financial control, and proactive risk management across multidisciplinary rail programmes.
You’ll work hand‑in‑hand with your client’s Project Manager and wider teams to safeguard commercial performance, support programme delivery, and maintain the integrity of commercial processes from project initiation through to close‑out.
This role is ideally suited to a mid‑career commercial professional with strong Rail sector experience who is ready to take greater ownership, lead client relationships, and operate confidently on large, fast‑paced programmes with multiple stakeholders.
At WSP, our Senior Commercial Managers thrive because they are adaptable, collaborative and highly capable of navigating complex delivery environments. You’ll work flexibly across WSP offices, client offices, and project sites to support the successful delivery of strategic Rail programmes.
We are committed to supporting a positive work‑life balance. You’ll be based in one of our modern, central UK offices, with hybrid working (minimum three office days per week) to help you stay connected with colleagues and clients.
With WSP, you’ll have the opportunity to progress your career, deepen your Rail expertise, and shape the commercial outcomes of some of the UK’s most significant transport investments.
Your Team
You’ll join a diverse and motivated team of Project Managers, Commercial Managers and Rail specialists, all focused on delivering high‑quality commercial leadership in the Rail sector. We pride ourselves on delivering tailored solutions that shape the built environment and support the next generation of Rail infrastructure.
Responsibilities
* Lead and manage key client and stakeholder relationships, acting as a trusted commercial advisor.
* Prepare monthly commercial, cost and risk reports to provide clarity on project performance.
* Oversee commercial management activities in alignment with contract requirements and client governance.
* Manage project budgets, cost estimation, forecasting, tracking and reporting.
* Negotiate commercial terms with suppliers and contractors during procurement, working closely with client procurement teams.
* Support effective commercial management of the supply chain, promoting collaboration and trust.
* Ensure full compliance with client commercial procedures and standards.
* Review and approve project expenditures, invoices and commercial submissions.
* Chair commercial meetings with contractors, suppliers and delivery partners.
* Administer contracts through the full lifecycle, including formation, delivery and close‑out.
* Lead on change management, including negotiation of variations, claims and compensation events.
* Monitor contract performance, address commercial issues and draft necessary contractual correspondence.
* Conduct financial forecasting, risk assessment and develop mitigation strategies.
* Optimise resource allocation to support commercial and programme targets.
* Identify, manage and mitigate commercial risks, ensuring early warnings and regular risk reduction meetings with project teams.
Qualifications
* A degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline.
* Professional accreditation or progress towards it (e.g., MRICS, MCIOB).
* Strong experience in commercial management in the Rail or transportation infrastructure sector.
* Experience delivering major projects in a client‑side or consultancy environment.
* Exposure to organisations such as Network Rail, HS2, TfGM, or other rail delivery bodies.
* A proven ability to deliver commercial outcomes on multidisciplinary programmes.
* Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills, with presence and credibility.
* Proficiency in commercial management tools and software.
* In‑depth understanding of NEC3/NEC4 and wider rail industry commercial practices.
Benefits
Work‑life balance: hybrid working policy offers flexibility to work from home two days a week, with opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.
Inclusivity & Belonging: welcoming applicants with varied backgrounds, encouraging authentic selves, fostering a culture of inclusion.
Health & Wellbeing: Thrive programme, Virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex scheme, comprehensive menopause support package.
Flex your time: “WSP My Hour” for one hour per day for personal activities, part‑time and flexible working arrangements, purchase additional leave, use bank holiday entitlement flexibly.
Development: supportive environment with training, mentoring, and Chartership opportunities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.
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