Role Overview
We are looking for a highly capable and commercially focused Commercial Manager to lead commercial performance across our clean water portfolio.
This is a key role supporting the delivery of major capital schemes for the largest client in our business, so strong client management, internal stakeholder engagement and commercial leadership are essential.
The successful candidate will bring strong NEC contract experience and practical knowledge of cleanwater projects. They will also be confident using CEMAR to manage contractual communications, Early Warnings, Compensation Events and associated records.
This role will also play an important part in supporting and mentoring Apprentice and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, helping them develop their commercial capability and progress through their RICS development pathway.
Key Responsibilities
Commercial Leadership and Governance
* Lead the commercial management of cleanwater capital projects from mobilisation through to final account.
* Drive commercial performance across the project portfolio, with a focus on cost control, cash recovery, marginprotectionand risk management.
* Manage core commercial processes, including:
* Cash forecasting
* Applications for Payment
* Compensation Events
* Target Cost Estimates/TCEs
* Work in Progress management
* Cost control and value management
* Risk and opportunity management
* Ensure commercial reporting isaccurate,timelyand aligned with both internal and client expectations.
* SupportweeklyCVR reviews, providing clear commentary on performance, risks, opportunities and required actions.
* Ensure strong commercial governance, audit trails and evidence aremaintainedacross all projects.
Contract and Change Management
* Manage and interpret NEC3/NEC4 contract requirements, ensuring contractual compliance and protection of commercial entitlement.
* Build,validateand submit TCEs, ensuring they areaccurate, wellevidenced and aligned to the scope,programmeand contract.
* Prepare,submitand manage Compensation Events, including robust cost build-ups, supporting evidence and programme impact whererequired.
* Raise and manage Early Warnings in line with contractual timescales.
* Use CEMAR to manage Early Warnings, Compensation Events, formalcommunicationsand contract administration.
* Oversee change management, ensuring variations, scope changes and programme impacts are captured,evidencedand progressed.
* Support procurement, subcontract management, tendering and final account processes whererequired.
* Ensure project teams understand key contractual obligations, early warning requirements and change control processes.
Financial Management and Reporting
* Manage project cost, value,riskand margin performance acrossallocatedschemes.
* Own and supportaccuratecash forecasting, revenuerecognitionand cost reporting.
* Prepare and manage Applications for Payment in line with contract requirements.
* Monitor and manage WIP, ensuring aged balances are reviewed,challengedand progressed.
* Track,validateand manage cost allocations, variations, change controls and project movements.
* Ensureaccuratebilling, costrecoveryand commercial audit readiness.
* Provide clear commercial analysis to support operational, client and senior leadership reviews.
Cleanwater Project Support
* Apply practical understanding of Clean water networks, capital delivery processes and operational constraints.
* Understand the commercial and operational drivers within Cleanwater capital delivery, including labour, plant, materials, subcontractors, access constraints, scope changes and programme movement.
* Work closely with Operations, Delivery, Planning and Finance teams to ensure project costs, risks and changes are captured accurately.
* Ensure commercial decisions reflect the technical, regulatory and clientspecific requirements of wastewater projects.
* Support the review of project performance,identifyingtrends,risksand opportunities across the capital programme.
Client and Stakeholder Management
* Act as a key commercial interface for our largest client, building strong,professionaland collaborative relationships.
* Work closely with internal stakeholders across Operations, Delivery, Finance, Planning, Procurement and Senior Leadership.
* Support commercial discussions, project reviews,negotiationsand performance meetings with the client.
* Provide confident, solutionfocused communication on commercial risks,opportunitiesand performance.
* Challenge and influence internal teams whererequiredto ensure commercial requirements are understood and delivered.
* Balance a collaborative client relationship with the need to protect the business’s commercial position.
Team Development and RICS Mentorship
* Mentor Apprentice and Assistant Quantity Surveyors, supporting their technical,commercialand contractual development.
* Provide guidance aligned to RICS best practice and professional development requirements.
* Review and support junior team members with AFPs, CEs, TCEs, WIP reviews,reportingand contract administration.
* Promote a culture of continuous improvement, commercialawarenessand professional growth within the team.
* Help develop the next generation of commercial talent within the business.
Skills and Experience Required
Essential
* Proven experience as a Commercial Manager or Senior Quantity Surveyor within utilities, civil engineering, infrastructure, water industry.
* Strong working knowledge of NECcontracts.
* Practical understanding of cleanwater projects, wastewater networks or capital delivery environments.
* Demonstrable experience building,validatingand managing TCEs.
* Experience managing Compensation Events, Early Warnings, Applications for Payment, cashforecastingand WIP.
* CEMAR system experience for contract administration and formal communications.
* Strong financial and commercial acumen, including cost control, forecasting, marginanalysisand risk management.
* Ability to interpret contract requirements and apply thempractically withina project delivery environment.
* Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with internal teams, seniorleadersand major clients.
* Strong communicationskills, with the confidence to challenge,influenceand support at all levels.
* High attention to detail, with the ability to produceaccurate, wellevidenced commercial submissions.
Desirable
* Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, CommercialManagementor a related construction discipline.
* Experience mentoring Apprentice or Assistant Quantity Surveyors through their RICS development pathway.
* Experience working with major regulated utility clients orlongtermframework agreements.
* Strong Excel, reporting and commercial data analysis skills.
* Experience supporting commercial process improvement or digital reporting improvements.
Personal Attributes
* Commercially astute and confident.
* Proactive, organised and solutionsfocused.
* Strong communicator who can build trust and influence at all levels.
* Collaborative and approachable, while able to hold the commercial position whenrequired.
* Detail-focused, with strong governance and contract discipline.
* Resilient under pressure and comfortable working in aft pacedenvironment.
* Able to turn complex commercial and contractual issues into clear actions.
* Passionate about developing others and supporting a strong commercial team.
The Lanes Group plc comprises of a range of established service providers subsidiaries, which complement the specialist service of Lanes, by both work type and geography. Increasing our overall capability, assets and offering to our customers.
At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.
Lanes Group are a signatory of the 'Charter for Employer Positive About Mental Health' run by Mindful Employer.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from under-represented members of the community.
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