Commercial Manager – Rail

City, Leeds
Zinc Consult

ABOUT ZINC CONSULT
Zinc Consult is a UK project management and commercial services firm working across rail, highways, energy and wider infrastructure. We support contractors, clients, consultancies and operating companies from pre-contract through to post-contract, with services including estimating, procurement, risk management, quantity surveying, commercial and contract management, change and claims. With offices in Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow and Tees Valley, we are a trusted partner to major UK rail businesses and put bespoke, experienced people on every project.

THE OPPORTUNITY
We are recruiting a permanent Commercial Manager to on one of the largest rail investment programmes in the UK. You will lead the commercial management of a package of work, protecting value, managing change and keeping contractual positions robust as the programme moves through delivery.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
– Lead commercial management of your package, including cost forecasting, cash flow, cost value reconciliation (CVR) and reporting to senior stakeholders
– Administer contracts under NEC3/NEC4, including compensation events, early warnings, programme and payment mechanisms
– Prepare, negotiate and agree variations, claims and final accounts
– Manage subcontract and supply chain procurement, tender evaluation and commercial settlements
– Identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities
– Provide commercial advice to the delivery team at key decision points
– Build strong working relationships with Network Rail, designers, delivery partners and the wider TRU team
– Lead, coach and develop Quantity Surveyors and Assistant Commercial Managers where required
– Work in line with Network Rail standards, governance and assurance requirements

ABOUT YOU
Essential:
– Proven experience as a Commercial Manager (or Senior QS / Commercial Lead) on rail or major infrastructure projects
– Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts, ideally NEC4 (ECC)
– Experience of managing change, compensation events and claims through to agreement
– Confident forecasting, budget and CVR skills
– Right to work in the UK and able to travel across the TRU route

Desirable:
– Direct experience on Network Rail projects or alliances
– Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or similar, or MRICS / working towards chartership
– Experience of the PDRM / GRIP process
– Experience of leading a commercial team

WHAT WE OFFER
– A permanent role on a nationally significant rail programme
– Competitive salary and benefits package
– Career development with a growing rail consultancy
– Leeds-based with hybrid flexibility

Zinc Consult is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Network Rail pre-employment checks may apply.