Capital Delivery Commercial Manager
Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we're moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you'll be based there in the future - Hybrid Working (2 days in the office a week). Other days will involve a combination of site visits, time spent in consultant and contractor offices, and working from home.
Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
Overview
We have two exciting opportunities for a Capital Delivery Commercial Manager, each playing a key role in driving commercial success across our Infrastructure and Coastal & Partnerships programmes. These roles offer the chance to work at the forefront of major capital delivery, shaping strategy, influencing outcomes, and delivering real impact across critical projects.
Step into a pivotal leadership role where you'll shape the commercial success of major capital programmes worth up to £1bn. You'll operate at the heart of programme delivery, driving strategy, influencing senior stakeholders, and ensuring strong financial and contractual outcomes.
What we do
We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, ensuring customers have clean and safe drinking water and their wastewater is treated. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan for Yorkshire's water needs 24/7, 365 days a year. New environmental legislation, investment levels, and changing customer expectations create opportunities within the water industry. The Capital Delivery Commercial team helps us plan to meet these needs and regulators' expectations.
Where you fit in
As our Capital Delivery Commercial Manager, you will:
- Take ownership of all commercial activity across a high-value capital programme, ensuring strong performance while protecting and enhancing the organisation's commercial position.
- Act as the senior commercial leader and trusted escalation point, providing clear direction and expert guidance to project teams and delivery partners.
- Shape and deliver forward-thinking commercial strategies, ensuring programmes are executed in line with contractual, financial, and governance expectations.
- Champion the consistent application of commercial policies, contract standards, and NEC best practice, driving excellence across every project.
- Lead commercial resource planning, bringing together the right blend of internal talent, external expertise, and specialist knowledge to support delivery.
- Own and continuously refine the programme cost baseline, forecasts, and risk profile, driving accuracy, transparency, and control.
- Provide constructive challenge on project forecasts, cost trends, and contingency use, ensuring robust financial discipline.
- Deliver clear, insightful reporting on commercial performance, enabling informed decision-making at senior levels.
- Oversee contract and change management activities across the programme, ensuring proactive and effective control of compensation events and early warnings.
- Support Commercial Managers in developing strong negotiation strategies and commercial positions on high-value, complex matters.
- Review and provide oversight on significant commercial decisions, ensuring risk is understood and managed before escalation.
- Work in close partnership with senior stakeholders to deliver best-in-class contract and commercial management.
- Define and lead strategic procurement approaches aligned to programme frameworks and delivery needs.
- Drive the commercial performance of key contractors and consultants, fostering high-performing, collaborative relationships.
- Lead structured performance reviews and play a key role in the resolution of disputes and claims, ensuring positive outcomes.
- Champion value for money and continuous improvement, embedding a culture of innovation and efficiency across the supply chain.
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to align cost, schedule, and scope, ensuring seamless programme delivery.
- Partner with engineering and delivery teams to ensure technical decisions are commercially informed and effectively managed.
- Provide strong commercial leadership at programme boards, governance forums, and key decision gateways.
- Ensure full compliance with contractual requirements, procurement regulations, and internal governance frameworks. Support audit, assurance, and regulatory engagement, maintaining high standards of transparency and accountability.
- Identify and proactively manage and escalate key commercial risks and opportunities.
- Lead, inspire, and develop a team of Commercial Managers and Quantity Surveyors, building capability and driving high performance.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical leadership, supporting career development and knowledge sharing.
- Oversee resource planning and capability growth, ensuring the programme is equipped for long-term success.
What skills & qualifications you will need
- Significant experience in the commercial management of large-scale infrastructure programmes (£500m-£1bn).
- Strong knowledge and practical application of NEC contracts (NEC3/NEC4 ECC, PSC).
- Proven expertise in cost control, forecasting, change management, and commercial negotiation.
- Ability to operate effectively across multiple capital delivery disciplines.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Chartered status (RICS, CICES or equivalent) is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to manage commercial risk, ensure cost certainty, and drive value for money.
- A track record of supporting the successful delivery of complex capital programmes through effective commercial leadership.
Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we support flexible working patterns and job share options to help you balance work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or achieving work/life balance isn't always easy.
Ready to apply
The closing date for this role is 1 July 2026. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, which may include a Basic Disclosure Check. Depending on the role, you may also undergo security vetting for a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All roles are subject to a medical questionnaire and other medicals when required. We are committed to accessible recruitment and offer adjustments as needed.
Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date. No agencies please.
