PFI Commercial & Variations Manager NEW

300 North Limited

PFI Commercial & Variations Manager

We are recruiting an experienced commercial professional to join a specialist team supporting a portfolio of operational PFI/PPP projects.

This is a senior, hands on commercial role with a particular focus on contract change and variations. You will work across complex operational projects, taking ownership of commercial matters from initial instruction and assessment through negotiation, approval, implementation and close-out.

Summary:

• PFI Commercial & Variations Manager
• Location: London / South of England hybrid working with regular site attendance
• Sector: PFI / PPP Infrastructure
• Salary: £80,000 Plus bonus Plus competitive pension and holidays, private medical etc.

The position would suit someone who already understands the commercial and contractual environment within operational PFI projects and is comfortable dealing with multiple parties including SPVs, public-sector clients, FM providers, advisers and funders.

This is an opportunity to join an established organisation operating across the UK PFI/PPP market and work on a varied portfolio of complex operational projects.

The role offers considerable exposure to senior stakeholders and the opportunity to become involved in some of the more commercially challenging areas of the portfolio, including major change, contractual risk, dispute resolution and project expiry.

Regular attendance in London and at projects predominantly across the South of England will be required, alongside home working.

Duties/ Responsibilities

You will take the commercial lead on a range of project changes and variations, ensuring each matter is progressed in accordance with the relevant contractual arrangements and appropriate governance requirements.

Responsibilities will include:

• Managing complex variations and contractual change across operational PFI/PPP projects.
• Reviewing project documentation to establish contractual responsibilities, commercial exposure and the appropriate route for implementing change.
• Developing commercial positions and supporting negotiations with clients, service providers and other project stakeholders.
• Coordinating the contractual documentation and approvals required to implement agreed changes.
• Assessing the financial implications of variations, including works costs, lifecycle impacts, FM costs and professional fees.
• Maintaining clear change controls, commercial records, cost schedules and risk information throughout the process.
• Working with finance, operational and technical colleagues to understand the wider impact of proposed changes.
• Coordinating input from legal, technical, financial and other professional advisers where required.
• Managing third party approval requirements associated with project changes.
• Identifying commercial and contractual risks and ensuring these are appropriately managed and escalated.
• Providing clear progress reporting to senior project stakeholders.
• Supporting projects with wider commercial matters including contractual interpretation, disputes, operational issues and preparations for PFI expiry/handback.
• Helping to develop consistent commercial processes and best practice across the wider portfolio.
• Providing guidance and support to less experienced members of the commercial team.

Qualifications/Requirements

For this position, we are particularly interested in candidates who have worked within the operational PFI/PPP market and have direct experience of managing contractual change.

• Must have strong knowledge of PFI/PPP contractual structures and Project Agreements.
• Experience managing significant or complex variations within operational PFI projects.
• A good understanding of SPV/ProjectCo commercial requirements and governance.
• Experience working with stakeholders such as public sector clients, Facilities Management providers, funders, technical advisers and professional consultants.
• The ability to interpret detailed contractual documentation and translate this into a practical commercial position.
• Experience assessing the cost, risk and operational implications of contractual change.
• An understanding of PFI payment mechanisms and the commercial relationship between the Project Agreement and downstream service contracts.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management and written communication skills.
• The confidence to manage several complex commercial matters simultaneously and drive them through to conclusion.
• Experience within PFI/PPP healthcare, education or other social infrastructure PFI projects.