Commercial Manager

Job Description

Overview

We are seeking to recruit a Commercial Manager to be based in our Aylesbury office, co-located with the Client team, supporting the ongoing development and expansion of the Buckinghamshire Highways Alliance Partnership. This role combines strategic commercial leadership and contract management with hands on commercial responsibilities.

Working within a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, supervisors, technicians, project managers, and commercial professionals, you will be responsible for the full commercial lifecycle of projects and programmes, from cost planning and procurement through to contract administration, financial management, and final account settlement.

The Commercial Manager will provide leadership across all commercial activities, ensuring robust commercial governance, effective risk management, NEC contract compliance, and the successful delivery of business objectives while maintaining strong client and supply chain relationships.

Your role

Commercial Leadership

• Lead the commercial function across the contract, ensuring effective forecasting, cost control, and financial reporting.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies aligned with contract objectives and business targets.
• Provide commercial guidance and support to project teams, senior management, and operational leaders.
• Manage commercial performance, ensuring financial and contractual risks are identified, mitigated, and reported appropriately.
• Act as the primary commercial interface between the client, delivery teams, and supply chain partners.
• Lead a team and oversee NEC contract processes, including:
  • Early Warnings.
  • Compensation Events.
  • Payment Applications.
  • Programme submissions.
  • Risk Reduction Meetings.
• Ensure compliance with NEC contractual obligations, procedures, timescales, and communication requirements.
• Administer contracts on behalf of the client where required, including instructing works, assessing quotations, and managing change.
• Maintain accurate and auditable contract records.
• Support procurement activities from tender preparation through evaluation and award.
• Manage commercial relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Assess and negotiate subcontract agreements and variations.
• Ensure supply chain performance aligns with contractual and commercial objectives.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Operate in accordance with the NEC principle of mutual trust and cooperation.
• Provide commercial input to client meetings, progress reviews, and contractual discussions.
• Deliver high levels of customer service and support business growth opportunities.

Governance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with internal commercial governance procedures and delegated authorities.
• Support audits, commercial reviews, and business assurance activities.
• Prepare and present commercial and financial reports to senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and best practice development.

About you

Desirable Qualification

• Experience in commercial management, quantity surveying, or contract administration.
• Professional membership of RICS, CIOB, ICES, or equivalent.
• Experience working with local authorities, National Highways, or major public-sector clients an advantage but not a requirement.
• Experience within a consultancy or alliance delivery environment.
• Familiarity with digital cost management and project control systems.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute and results focused.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Proactive and solution-oriented approach.
• Excellent relationship builder with clients and colleagues.
• Effective decision-maker with strong attention to detail.
• Committed to collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits - Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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Worker Type

Job Type

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.