Commercial Manager – (PR/007220)

Location: Northampton

Role Type: Hybrid, 3 days per week onsite

Salary: £60,000 – £75,000

Job Details

We are seeking a high-calibre Commercial Manager to take a leading role in the commercial delivery of major infrastructure and construction projects. This is a senior position at Commercial Manager level, offering significant ownership across projects, with a strong focus on NEC and JCT contract management.

You will be responsible for driving commercial performance, managing contractual risk, and acting as a key interface between project delivery teams, clients, and senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership & Project Ownership

• Take full commercial responsibility for projects or key work packages (£20m–£100m+)
• Act as the commercial lead within the project team, supporting strategic decision-making
• Provide robust commercial guidance to Project Managers and operational leads
• Ensure commercial governance and best practice is embedded across delivery

Contract Management (NEC & JCT Specialist)

• Lead the administration and management of NEC3/NEC4 and JCT contracts
• Take ownership of early warnings, compensation events, variations, and change control processes
• Provide expert contractual advice to internal stakeholders and project teams
• Support dispute avoidance and, where required, contribute to claims strategy and resolution

Cost & Value Management

• Own project cost reporting, forecasting, and financial performance
• Drive margin improvement, cost efficiencies, and value engineering opportunities
• Lead on valuations, applications for payment, and agreement of final accounts

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Proactively identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities
• Maintain and drive commercial input into risk registers and mitigation strategies
• Support and lead on the preparation and negotiation of claims and variations

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and key stakeholders
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with confidence
• Act as a key point of contact for commercial matters on assigned projects

Team Support & Development

• Provide guidance and mentoring to Quantity Surveyors and junior commercial staff
• Support the development of commercial capability within the team
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and commercial awareness

Key Requirements

• Strong experience in a Commercial Manager or Senior Quantity Surveyor role within construction or infrastructure
• Extensive working knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 and JCT contracts (essential)
• Proven experience managing complex, high-value projects (£20m+)
• Demonstrated ability to lead commercial activities with a degree of autonomy
• Strong understanding of cost control, change management, and contract administration
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to operate confidently in a fast-paced, project environment

Desirable

• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or similar
• Chartered status (RICS or working towards)
• Experience within regulated sectors (e.g. infrastructure, utilities, energy, rail)

Key Competencies

• Strategic commercial thinking
• Contractual expertise (NEC & JCT)
• Influencing and negotiation
• Leadership and mentoring
• Risk management and problem-solving

If this role aligns with your experience, please get in touch with Rebecca Bennett at Rebecca.Bennett@arguilesearch.com