AWE is currently recruiting for a Principal Commercial Manager for the Commercial team.
Location: Reading, with free onsite parking.
We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Our work underpins national safety and security.
As a Principal Commercial Manager, you will operate as the client side commercial authority for large, complex infrastructure contracts, playing a critical role in enabling safe, assured and value for money delivery. Providing commercial and contract performance leadership to the project team to enable effective management of project and commercial risk.
This is a senior commercial management role, requiring sound judgement, confidence operating in ambiguity, and the ability to lead others through complex commercial challenges. You will be trusted to take decisions, manage risk proportionately, and provide clear direction in high stakes environments.
You will lead strategic planning and governance. Manage, develop and mentor a team that administer the contracts, and get involved in contract disputes. You will support the procurement team, advising on contract options management, working with tier 1 Suppliers and managing KPI reviews / planning. Integration and cross functional relationship management is key.
Act as Client Commercial Manager for large, complex infrastructure contracts across their full lifecycle ensuring they deliver value for money and achieve the objectives
Provide commercial management leadership, ensuring risk, change and performance are managed effectively and proportionately
Lead a team that manages supplier payments and analysis of contract and subcontract agreements
Set and maintain contract governance, reporting, assurance and standards, aligned to organisational objectives
Lead engagement with Tier 1 suppliers, including the management of complex issues and disputes
Influence and advise senior internal stakeholders, bringing clarity to complex commercial decisions
Lead, develop and mentor commercial management professionals, building capability and confidence across teams
Support the organisation with future business planning of capital spend
This role is focused on commercial management and client side leadership, working alongside procurement colleagues where required.
Exercises strong commercial judgement in complex, uncertain and high‑risk situations
Balances assurance, risk and pace to support delivery rather than defaulting to process
Anticipates future risks and issues rather than reacting when they crystallise
Thinks strategically about contract structure, incentives and behaviours, not just compliance
Sets clear expectations and standards for commercial management practice
Develops others through coaching, mentoring and role modelling good judgement
Acting as the client‑side commercial lead in regulated or safety‑critical environments
Managing contractual change, performance, risk and disputes
Pricing arrangements and commercial models e.g. target cost incentive fee
Earned value management
If you have the experience, judgement and behaviours needed to operate at this level, Principal Commercial Manager, we want to hear from you - regardless of your formal qualifications.
10 years relevant commercial management experience
A bachelor's degree in commercial management, quantity surveying, economics, business, law, or a similar discipline or equivalent experience.
9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
Hybrid working is available on a non‑contractual basis (typically 3 days onsite or in the office per week).
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