Commercial Manager

Chorley, Lancashire
Highfield Professional Solutions Ltd

Commercial Manager
Chorley
37.5 per week
60-70k+ Car/Allowance + generous package

About the Opportunity
Are you an experienced Commercial Manager looking for a challenging and high-profile role in the civil nuclear sector? This is your chance to lead and shape the commercial strategy across key projects, working alongside multidisciplinary teams to ensure contracts, bids, and commercial processes are managed efficiently and effectively.
We are looking for a confident and strategic commercial professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, with a proven track record in contract management, bid support, and risk mitigation. You will play a pivotal role in guiding project teams, driving improvements, and ensuring the delivery of projects on time and within budget.

The Role
As Commercial Manager, you will lead the commercial function for civil nuclear projects, overseeing all aspects of contract and project commercial management. You will provide direction and guidance to the wider commercial team, act as a trusted advisor to project managers, and support the delivery of both upstream and downstream contract strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership:

• Lead the commercial aspects of civil nuclear business units, providing direction, guidance, and decision-making for the team.
• Engage and motivate stakeholders across project teams, clients, directors, and support functions.
• Identify areas for improvement within the commercial function and implement efficiencies.
• Manage resourcing and recruitment for commercial support as required.

Commercial & Contract Management:

• Provide contract support and guidance to project managers and stakeholders.
• Review, draft, and negotiate NEC and other contract agreements.
• Ensure contracts are adhered to and project CEMAR health is maintained.
• Prepare task/package orders, NDAs, teaming agreements, and flow-down contracts.
• Manage subcontract strategies and support procurement teams in contract preparation and negotiation.

Bid & Risk Support:

• Support bid teams in producing commercial responses, tender risk registers, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Review tender contracts and provide commercial guidance to project and bid teams.
• Develop and improve risk management processes across projects.

Commercial Oversight:

• Act as point of contact for commercial matters within civil nuclear projects.
• Provide contract interpretation and advice to project managers.
• Monitor and audit subcontract costs, CE assessments, and early warning processes.

Person Specification:
Qualifications:

• Relevant university degree or professional accreditation.
• Membership of an appropriate technical or professional body.
• GCSEs (Grade C or above) in Maths and English or equivalent.
• Level 2 Health & Safety or equivalent (desirable).

Experience & Knowledge:

• Minimum 10 years’ commercial/contract management experience.
• NEC Certified Practitioner with at least 3 years’ experience.
• Strong experience handling confidential and commercially sensitive information.
• Familiarity with NEC3/NEC4 contract writing and project commercial processes.
• Experience with QSHEW procedures, ISO standards, and bid management (desirable).

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong organisation, planning, and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to work independently and lead a team.
• Excellent communication skills with internal teams, clients, and contractors.
• Proficient in MS Office; capable of producing reports, presentations, and commercial documentation.
• Experience in estimating, planning, and writing bids (desirable).

Benefits:

• Life Assurance – 3x Salary
• Private Healthcare package
• Pension – Company 5%, Individual 4%
• Discretionary bonus
• 187.5 hours annual holiday allowance
• Professional membership subscriptions covered
• Extensive training and development budget

This role is perfect for an ambitious commercial leader ready to take ownership of the commercial strategy across complex projects in a challenging and rewarding environment.