Commercial Manager

As Commercial Manager, you will take responsibility for the commercial management and successful financial delivery of allocated projects from tender stage through to final account and close-out.

Working closely with the Commercial Director, Project Directors & Managers, Buyers and wider project team, you will ensure that projects are commercially controlled, contractual obligations are managed, risks and opportunities are identified and the company's financial position is protected and maximised.

The role requires a commercially focused individual with strong contractual knowledge, excellent negotiation skills and the ability to build effective relationships with clients, subcontractors, suppliers and internal teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Commercial & Financial Management

• Take overall commercial responsibility for allocated projects from tender handover through to final account.
• Support the Commercial Director and Project Directors in the commercial and financial management of projects.
• Prepare, manage and present monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs) including detailed analysis of turnover, costs, margin, cash flow, risks and opportunities.
• Provide clear and concise commercial commentary for senior management and Board reporting, highlighting key moevments, risks, opportunities and actions required along with providing an accurate and forward looking view of project performance, rather than simply reporting historic results.
• Monitor project cash flow against budget and identify areas requiring correct action.
• Manage project cash flow, ensuring applications, payments and cost commitments are accurately forecast and actively managed.
• Monitor project profitability and ensure commercial issues are identified and addressed at the earliest opportunity.
• Review and manage project preliminaries, labour, plant and material budgets against planned outputs and actual performance.
• Provide commercial information and feedback to support estimating, planning, procurement and project delivery.
• Maintain accurate commercial records throughout the life of each project.

Contract Management

• Review, negotiate and administer client and subcontractor contracts.
• Ensure all contractual obligations, notices and deadlines are understood and complied with.
• Prepare and issue contractual correspondence, notices and submissions in accordance with the relevant contract.
• Manage contractual risks associated with delays, variations, extensions of time, loss and expense and other commercial matters.
• Ensure the financial and contractual implications of project decisions are clearly understood by all relevant stakeholders.
• Provide commercial and contractual advice to the project team and directors.
• Develop and maintain strong working knowledge of JCT, NEC and bespoke forms of contract.

Valuations, Variations & Final Accounts

• Lead the preparation and submission of monthly client valuations, vesting agreements and applications for payment.
• Ensure valuations accurately reflect work completed and maximise cash recovery.
• Maintain a comprehensive valuation file for each project, including records of correspondence, instructions, changes, variations and commercial decisions.
• Maintain a detailed variation register from tender through to final account.
• Ensure variations are identified, valued, submitted and agreed in a timely manner.
• Manage and negotiate final accounts with clients and ensure all outstanding commercial matters are closed out.
• Monitor and manage project expenditure to ensure projects remain commercially and financially controlled.

Subcontractor & Supply Chain Management

• Manage subcontractor accounts, including valuations, measured works, variations, contra-charges and final accounts.
• Ensure appropriate contractual notices are issued in relation to defects, payment, payless notices and other contractual matters.
• Work closely with the Purchasing team and Project Directors on the procurement of complex manufactured items and specialist packages.
• Review supplier and subcontractor quotations and negotiate commercial terms where appropriate.
• Monitor procurement against approved budgets and project requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement value, reduce costs and manage commercial risk within the supply chain.

Risk, Opportunities & Programme

• Lead the commercial management of project risks and opportunities.
• Maintain and regularly review project risk and opportunity registers.
• Identify potential commercial exposure and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with Project Directors and Project Managers to understand programme issues and their commercial impact.
• Assist in managing delays, extensions of time, disruption and associated financial claims.
• Ensure potential costs, losses and gains are identified and accurately reflected in project forecasts.
• Challenge project performance and provide commercially focused recommendations to improve outcomes.

Business & Process Improvement

• Assist the Commercial Director in developing and improving commercial procedures, systems and standards.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of COINS, ensuring commercial processes, project controls, reporting requirements and data are accurately configured and consistently applied.
• Identify opportunities to improve the use of COINS to enhance commercial reporting, data accuracy, project visibility and decision-making.
• Support the continued development of company processes in line with business objectives and ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance, reporting and project controls.
• Ensure consistent application of commercial procedures across projects.
• Provide commercial feedback to estimating and pre-construction teams to improve future tendering and project delivery.
• Support the development of best practice across the commercial team.

Leadership & Communication

• Build effective working relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Provide clear and commercially focused advice to Project Directors, Project Managers and the Commercial Director.
• Take clear commercial ownership of allocated projects, actively driving commercial performance and outcomes rather than simply administering commercial processes.
• Challenge Project Directors, Project Managers, Buyers and other stakeholders constructively where project decisions, performance or behaviours may adversely affect margin, cash flow, risk or contractual position.
• Use commercial analysis and judgement to influence project decisions, identify opportunities and drive actions that improve project profitability and overall commercial performance.
• Lead and influence project teams to achieve strong commercial outcomes.
• Communicate complex contractual and financial matters clearly to both commercial and non-commercial stakeholders.
• Support and develop Quantity Surveyors (if applicable) and other members of the commercial team.
• Promote a positive, professional and commercially aware culture across the business.
• Remain calm, organised and decisive when working under pressure and to demanding deadlines.

KPIs & Performance Management

• Take ownership of the commercial performance of allocated projects against agreed budgets, forecasts and targets. 
• Monitor and report gross margin performance against budget and identify corrective actions where projects are underperforming. 
• Maintain a high level of CVR and forecast accuracy, ensuring changes in project performance are identified and reflected promptly. 
• Monitor cash collection, applications, payments and aged debt, working closely with the Finance team to maximise cash recovery. 
• Maximise recovery of variations, claims, loss and expense and other commercial entitlements. 
• Drive timely agreement and close-out of final accounts, with a focus on maximising final project value and protecting margin. 
• Monitor procurement performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and improved commercial value. 
• Monitor and reduce commercial risk exposure through effective management of risks, opportunities, contractual obligations and project decisions. 
• Track performance against agreed commercial KPIs and provide regular reporting to the Commercial Director. 
• Take ownership of corrective actions arising from KPI performance, ensuring issues are actively managed through to resolution.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for ensuring that allocated projects are commercially controlled and financially successful from tender handover through to final account.

The role will involve:

• Protecting and maximising project margin.
• Managing commercial and contractual risk.
• Maximising revenue and cash recovery.
• Managing variations, claims and final accounts.
• Controlling project costs and commercial commitments.
• Managing subcontractor and supply chain accounts.
• Supporting programme and project delivery.
• Providing accurate commercial reporting and forecasting.
• Supporting the Commercial Director and wider leadership team in achieving the company's commercial objectives.

Key Interfaces

All office & site personnel, including front line and management staff and contractors, internal / external interested partied.
 

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management or a related discipline is desirable.
• Relevant professional qualifications or membership of a recognised professional body would be advantageous.

Experience

• Proven experience in a commercial management or senior quantity surveying role within the construction industry.
• Experience managing projects from contract award through to final account.
• Experience in commercial management of construction or façade projects is desirable.
• Previous experience working within the architectural glazing or façade industry would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Strong experience in contract administration, valuations, variations, claims and final accounts.
• Experience managing subcontractors and supply chain packages.
• Ability to understand and interpret technical drawings and specifications.
• Experience preparing and presenting CVRs and commercial reports to the Board.

Specialist Skills & Attributes

• Strong commercial awareness with a clear understanding of project profitability and financial performance.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, including JCT, NEC and bespoke contracts.
• Good understanding of construction costs, labour, plant, materials, rates and outputs.
• Ability to identify and manage commercial risk and opportunities.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Confident in dealing with clients, consultants, subcontractors and suppliers.
• Strong understanding of project financial reporting, forecasting and cash flow.
• Ability to challenge information constructively and make commercially sound decisions.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing positively to a wider project and commercial team.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and project/commercial management systems.
• Experience with Simpro, COINS or similar ERP systems would be advantageous.
• A proactive approach, with the ability to take ownership and drive commercial matters through to resolution.
• Willingness to develop and progress within the commercial team and wider business.

Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will be:

• Commercially driven and financially astute.
• Professional and confident when dealing with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and solutions focused.
• Comfortable making decisions and challenging issues where necessary.
• Calm and resilient under pressure.
• A strong communicator and negotiator.
• Collaborative and willing to support colleagues.
• Focused on achieving strong commercial and project outcomes.
• Committed to maintaining high standards and continually improving the way the business operates.

Other Requirements

• Current full driving licence.
• Access to reliable transport for travel to offices, project sites and meetings.
• Flexibility to work from the office, project sites and home as required.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and client meetings as required.

Location    

Hildersham offices, site and / or working from home

If the above sounds of interest, please send through your application to include; covering letter, CV and salary expectations to careers@visionarch.co.uk