Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a ‘Gold Investor in People’ award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.
Purpose of the role
Colas Ltd have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Manager to join the team based at our Portsmouth depot, PO6 1TA. You will lead the financial and contractual management of our Portsmouth Highways PFI project. This role focuses on ensuring works are delivered within budget, managing contracts, identifying commercial risks, and supporting strategic decision-making. You’ll work closely with project teams and stakeholders to drive commercial performance, oversee cost control, and ensure compliance with legal and company standards.
Main Responsibilities
As Commercial Manager, you will oversee the financial performance of projects, ensuring works are delivered within budget while achieving maximum value. You will provide clear guidance, coaching, and mentoring to your team, including the Senior Quantity Surveyor, helping them understand how works are priced and linked to programme schedules. You will manage and monitor all spending closely, ensuring effective cost control, forecasting, and cash flow management. Your strong contract awareness will enable you to prepare, review, and negotiate contract documents, ensuring full compliance with legal, regulatory, and company policies. You will identify and assess commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies, proactively supporting the team in managing contract variations, claims, and disputes. Maintaining a direct link to the team, you will support them in interpreting contractual obligations, particularly in relation to the five-year handback period. You will build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and suppliers, facilitating smooth project delivery. By providing regular financial reports and analysis, you will highlight commercial risks and opportunities to senior management, ensuring strategic alignment with business goals. Your leadership will drive process improvements and commercial excellence across the project lifecycle.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a commercially focused professional with strong financial awareness, bringing a minimum of five years’ experience in commercial management ideally within Construction / Highways but open to someone from different sectors. While a highways or infrastructure background is not essential, a solid understanding of financial controls and contract management is paramount. You may hold a degree in Quantity Surveying, Finance, or an equivalent qualification, and membership of a recognised professional body such as RICS would be advantageous. You possess excellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills, along with a strategic mindset and strong attention to detail. Proficiency in financial and project management software enables you to effectively influence at all levels and drive commercial success.
Package Description
Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:
A salary between £75,000 and £80,000 PLUS Company Car / Car allowance
Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays - this is dependent on days worked - this is based on 5 days a week
Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
Ongoing personal / professional development
Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal