Established in 1994, OCU Group is one of the fastest growing utility engineering contractors in the UK, with a long successful track record in delivering customer-focused civil engineering solutions.
Working directly with many of the country’s leading blue-chip power, water, telecoms and rail clients, we are looking for the very best talent to join our growing team.
We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and offering opportunities for them to take control of their own personal development and career progression in a supportive environment.
We believe that being successful is a choice.
We choose to be successful.
We are OCU, ‘One Company United’.
Graduate Commercial
Role Overview
The Commercial Graduate supports the commercial and project teams with cost management, procurement, forecasting, and contractual administration. The role provides structured development towards becoming a fully qualified Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager, gaining exposure to the full project lifecycle from tendering through to final account.
Duties and Responsibilities
Cost Management & Reporting
* Assist in preparing cost plans, budgets, and monthly commercial reports.
* Support tracking of project costs, forecasts, cashflow, and value of work done.
* Help assess variations, compensation events, and change control.
* Contribute to identifying cost risks and opportunities.
Contract Administration
* Support administration of NEC, FIDIC, or other contract forms.
* Assist with issuing notices, maintaining registers, and recording early warnings.
* Help ensure compliance with contractual obligations and governance processes.
Procurement & Supply Chain Support
* Assist in preparing tender packages, evaluations, and award recommendations.
* Engage with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain quotations and manage enquiries.
* Support ongoing subcontract management, payment assessments, and performance reviews.
Measurement & Valuation
* Conduct basic measurement and take-offs from drawings.
* Support preparation of bills of quantities and schedules of rates.
* Assist with onsite progress assessments for monthly valuations.
Commercial Controls
* Maintain accurate records, commercial logs, registers, and documentation.
* Support audit readiness by ensuring documentation is complete and traceable.
* Help prepare data for earned value analysis and KPI reporting.
Stakeholder Collaboration
* Work closely with project managers, planners, engineers, and finance teams.
* Attend project meetings to understand programme issues, risks, and commercial drivers.
* Liaise with client commercial representatives under guidance.
Qualifications and Skills
* Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Business, or related discipline.
* Strong numerical and analytical skills.
* Good understanding of basic commercial and contractual principles.
* Proficient with Excel and analytical tools.
* Clear, confident communication skills.
* Organised, detail-focused, and able to prioritise effectively.
What We Value
We value our commitment to each other, summed up in our five values, we all sign up to these… We care about safety. We lead with integrity. We strive to be better every day. We make a positive impact. We deliver to grow. We are one company united.
Our Aim & Vision at OCU
To be the UK's leading energy transition and utilities contractor.
We are committed to leading the way in utilities and energy transition contracting, our mission is to innovate and deliver sustainability. At OCU, our passion for addressing complex challenges brings new standards of growth in our people and capabilities. OCU is an equal opportunities employer.