Senior Commercial Manager

Overview

In this role you lead the commercial function for Costain Engineering Services, shaping governance, contract setup and profitability across in-house engineering and design delivery. You will manage risks, opportunities, WIP, CVR and cross-charging between engineering services and Costain sectors. You will oversee procurement, change control and contract strategy, while continuously improving commercial processes to support growth in an engineering-led business.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial function for Engineering Services with rigorous contract negotiation processes and governance
• Oversee setup and execution of Internal Trading Agreements and Sub-contract Professional Services Agreements
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities early to prevent scope creep and align with contract terms
• Manage WIP, CVR, profit & margin, and cross-charging between Engineering Services and Costain Sectors
• Oversee procurement of external designers/sub-contractors ensuring terms back-to-back with primary obligations
• Rigorously manage change control; capture, cost and approve variations
• Demonstrate sector knowledge of engineering design phases across infrastructure projects
• Drive continuous improvement of commercial procedures aligned with Costain’s growth objectives

Key requirements

• Significant experience in commercial management in construction or engineering sectors
• Experience in both consultancy (fee-based) and contracting (delivery-based) environments
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with ability to interpret reports and drive profitability
• Strategic, analytical, and problem-solving approach under dynamic commercial conditions
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management with engineers and site-based managers
• Proficiency in contractual reporting and meeting minutes, and preparing financial reports and payment applications
• Understanding of fee/rate based engineering consultancy commercial priorities and risks
• Experience in procurement strategy development and drafting contractual correspondence
• Proven team leadership and ability to motivate and deliver performance
• Knowledge of NEC3/4 contracting frameworks
• Experience delivering change programmes aligned with strategic objectives

• Strong communication and negotiation
• Customer-facing with ability to speak technical language to engineers and project managers
• Leadership and people management
• WIP management
• Cost-Value Reconciliation (CVR)
• Profit & Loss reporting

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