Commercial Manager

Unite Foundation

Unite Students’ high performing Property team are looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to provide commercial input into all projects undertaken by the Development Team, including PBSA new builds, refurbishments, Asset Management and BTR initiatives. Duties will include estimating, benchmarking, inflation forecasting, budgetary control and reporting, and managing all financial aspects from inception through to practical completion. The role will also involve procurement of contractors and supply chain management, as well as defects management and claims resolution.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing initial cost advice to aid in the assessment of potential PBSA/AM/BTR initiatives
• Preparing accurate construction cost appraisals and cost plans and establishing the project budgets
• Managing the project cost plan from inception, through contract award, to practical completion
• Being commercially responsible for on-site schemes, including cost reporting, value engineering, valuations, cash flows, dispute resolution, cost control and account management
• Producing tender documentation and managing contractor and supply chain relationships
• Negotiating and administering construction contracts, retentions, bonds, warranties and other contractual documents.
• Overseeing capital allowances reporting
• Assisting in cost benchmarking analysis on all projects delivered by the Development team
• Supporting the resolution of legacy issues, defects and claims
• Role modelling Unite values and helping to deliver business initiatives such as carbon reduction, ESG, diversity and inclusion, and Homes for Success

What We’re Looking for in You

• Experience in a Quantity Surveying / Commercial Management role, from a contractor, client or consultant background
• RICS or CIOB qualified
• Demonstrable strong negotiation, influencing and communication skills, with a willingness to participate and present in meetings at various levels
• Strong numeracy and computer literacy
• Ability to work at pace and prioritise multiple tasks whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• A positive and collegiate attitude, with the ability to adapt swiftly and a willingness to undertake challenging tasks to ensure customer/ stakeholder satisfaction
• Ability to build relationships and influence internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to travel throughout the UK

What You’ll Get in Return

• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company’s success
• 25 days’ paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
• A generous pension scheme – employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK’s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn’t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone

We’re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we’re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what’s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.