Senior Commercial Manager

STRABAG UK is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Senior Commercial Manager to join our Build Subdivision and play a key role in the successful delivery of complex, high-value construction projects within the Industrial & Logistical space. Reporting to the Commercial Director, you will provide strategic commercial leadership throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring robust contract management, effective risk mitigation, and the achievement of financial and operational objectives.

As a senior member of the project leadership team, you will be responsible for driving commercial performance, maximising value, and supporting the delivery of STRABAG UK's commitment to excellence, innovation, sustainability, and client satisfaction. Working collaboratively with operational, pre-construction, procurement, and project delivery teams, you will lead commercial strategy, manage key stakeholder relationships, and provide guidance and mentorship to commercial teams across multiple projects.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven professional with extensive experience in the construction sector to contribute to the growth and success of one of Europe's leading construction groups while delivering landmark projects that shape communities and create lasting value.

General

• Efficiently manage all commercial aspects of the Portfolio of Projects and maintain regular liaison with all stakeholders.

Team Management & Development

• Set the structure, roles, responsibilities and competencies required to deliver the project commercial management services efficiently and to a consistent high standard.
• Build a high performing team (manage the successful onboarding of new team members, develop personal plans, establishment of objectives/targets for all direct reports and monitor on an ongoing basis).
• Actively coach and mentor as necessary
• Delegation of appropriate work to direct reports whilst maintaining accountability
• Identify necessary and appropriate training needs for direct reports.
• Plan and implement structured development and training of Commercial Practitioners including supervisor / mentor / counsellor role for staff undertaking their APC or equivalent.
• Promote a culture of contractual & commercial awareness within their portfolio of work.
• Instil a Strabag culture.
• Ensure the commercial team adheres to group procedures and governance.
• Contribute to the production of Business Plan strategy.

Commercial Service Delivery

• Develop and implement a clear commercial strategy on their portfolio and actively engage and influence in tender commercial strategy.
• Ensure that a review of all the contractual obligations and commercial risks is carried out.
• Provide assurance that the Commercial Practitioners administer the contracts correctly in a timely and professional manner through regular planned meetings to review contract administration, change control, design management, risk and opportunities and the operation of contract payment mechanisms.
• Maximising of cash position, including WIP control, cash flow production & improvement plans for all projects.
• Engage in work winning duties as required, including proactive release of team members and attendance at Client Presentations and Tender Interviews.
• Identification of all potential recoveries from insurance policies for the business, and liaison with the Insurance department to prosecute entitlement.

Portfolio Management

• Implement and attend the monthly project reviews to interrogate the portfolio performance and take appropriate action.
• Ensure the appropriate engagement of pre-construction and operational delivery team members in relation to the project handover process.
• Manage and influence strategy in relation to Client and Sub-Contractor disputes where appropriate.
• Support and advise in the establishment of required contractual insurances, bonds, warranties and Parent Company Guarantees
• Influence and support in the management of project supply chain including Sub-Contractors, Suppliers and Consultants
• Identify, mitigate and manage risk & opportunities for the portfolio of work.
• Active management of the work winning process, allocation of resource to commercial elements, liaison with the pre-contract commercial resource. Attend the required reviews with the Executive Team to explain the portfolio’s current and planned performance.
• Ensure contract conditions are negotiated within the any key risk parameters set by Group Legal prior to contract execution. Ensure compliance with year-end audit requirements.
• Ensure the portfolio achieves the planned Objectives & Targets.
• Promote the optimum performance of the project and the project teams through continual reviewing of operations and process and promote margin gains through efficiencies and the effective management of risk and opportunity.
• Ensure the out-turn cost and value on the projects are monitored and managed in real time and ensure a detailed forecast is maintained and reported on a monthly basis.
• Support in the management of Main Contract, Sub-Contract and Consultant Final Accounts where necessary.
• Undertake any other work as required by the Commercial Director, including assistance in emergency situations for peers and managers.

Corporate Development

• Maintain a schedule of Client engagement events for equivalent level customer feedback, alignment and future pipeline of work.
• Suggest Group wide business initiatives and implement local improvements.
• Become the “face of Strabag” for external engagement at industry events.
• To share all appropriate information within the Group where different business units are carrying out projects for the same Client to enable the Strabag approach/relationship with Clients.
• Participate in preparation, development and implementation of new group commercial procedures.
• To carry out commercial audits on other areas of the business as and when required.
• Contribute to Functional leadership, bringing best practice into the business, involvement in Business Improvement Initiatives.

Skills & Qualifications

• Significant commercial management experience within the UK construction industry.
• Proven track record managing large-scale building projects for Tier 1 contractors or major developers.
• Extensive knowledge of JCT, NEC, and Design & Build contracts.
• Strong understanding of commercial governance, procurement, and contract administration.
• Experience leading commercial teams across multiple projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex contractual negotiations and commercial risk.
• Excellent financial and commercial acumen.
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) or equivalent professional body (Desirable)