About the role

We’re looking for a Commercial Services Manager to provide high-quality commercial, contractual and (where appropriate) legal consultancy across our Rail projects and business units. You’ll strengthen commercial governance from bid through delivery, proactively identify and mitigate risk, and provide authoritative guidance on contract strategy, negotiation and insurance matters—helping us maximise value while minimising exposure.

You’ll partner closely with commercial and wider project teams and collaborate with Group/Head Office functions. Externally, you’ll engage with our supply chain, customers, key stakeholders and relevant professional/industry bodies.

We are open to base location for this role, occasional travel will be required.

What you'll be doing

Key Responsibilities:

Lead commercial governance and compliance, ensuring robust adherence to Group Minimum Commercial Expectations, business lifecycle gates and relevant management system processes.

Provide senior commercial and contractual advice to work-winning, procurement and project delivery teams, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts, subcontracts, frameworks, JV/consortium and alliance arrangements.

Lead commercial reviews of tenders and contract terms, with strong focus on NEC forms (Options A, C, E and secondary options) and effective risk allocation.

Identify, quantify and mitigate commercial, contractual and insurance-related risks at tender, pre-contract and delivery stages.

Support negotiation strategies, tender queries and commercial clarifications; advise on bonds, guarantees and other security instruments.

Provide guidance on early warnings, compensation events and dispute avoidance to help resolve issues efficiently and protect delivery and client relationships.

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners including clients, supply chain and industry/professional bodies.

Develop commercial capability through coaching, mentoring and structured training (e.g., NEC contract management, governance, risk management and dispute avoidance).

Support operational excellence by maintaining strong commercial records, promoting cost management behaviours, and contributing to digital/lean improvement initiatives.

Who we're looking for

Experience, Skills and Qualifications required:

Extensive experience providing senior commercial/contractual advisory support within complex project environments (ideally rail or wider infrastructure).

Strong practical knowledge of NEC contracts, including drafting/negotiation, risk management, compensation event assessment and dispute avoidance.

Proven ability to independently assess and manage commercial and contractual risk across the full project lifecycle—from tender through close-out.

Deep understanding of commercial governance, change control, cost management, cashflow/forecasting and contractual compliance.

Experience advising on insurance requirements, claims handling and security instruments (e.g., bonds/guarantees).

Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, able to interpret complex contractual provisions and communicate pragmatic guidance to senior stakeholders.

Professional qualification (e.g., RICS / CICES / CIOB) and commitment to ongoing CPD.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty works at the heart of the UK’s rail networks – designing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of the railways that connect communities and underpin growth.

From feasibility studies, planning and design through to implementation and asset management, we provide multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure services across the lifecycle of rail assets. Our expertise covers electrification, track, power, civils, specialist rail plant, railway systems and technologies.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com

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