Commercial Manager - Civils & Infrastructure

Head of Commercial - Civil Engineering & Infrastructure

Salary: £70,000 - £90,000 + Package and Benefits Location: Manchester area Position: Full-time, Permanent

Up Front Recruitment is working with an established civil engineering and infrastructure contractor that forms part of a wider group. The business has been operating for more than 50 years and has developed a strong reputation across highways, civil engineering, surfacing and infrastructure.

This is a senior commercial appointment with genuine influence. As Head of Commercial, you will become the number one commercial lead within the civils arm of the business, reporting directly to the Managing Director and Finance Director and helping shape commercial strategy as the operation continues to develop.

Salary and Package

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£70,000 - £90,000 depending on experience

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Company car or car allowance

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Permanent, full-time position

About the Company

The business is a second-generation family-owned infrastructure services company, formed in 1973 and now established as an experienced contractor across the North of England. Its work spans highway maintenance, civil engineering, surfacing and recycling, with projects delivered across public and private sector environments.

The company's civil engineering capability covers a broad range of infrastructure works, including highways, drainage, utilities, Section 278 works, public realm, hard landscaping, excavation and earthworks, concrete and structural works, kerbing and reinstatement. The business also works on airfields, private developments and other infrastructure projects, from maintenance schemes through to major frameworks and larger, complex works.

A key feature of the operation is its self-delivery model. The business has experienced in-house teams, specialist plant and equipment and established capabilities around asphalt manufacturing, recycling and recycled aggregates. This allows it to retain greater control over delivery, materials and resources while working in challenging environments such as live public highways, urban areas and multi-contractor sites.

The company also places a strong emphasis on responsible and sustainable construction, using recycled materials, reducing waste and continually looking at ways to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.

Why Join Them

The attraction of this Head of Commercial role is the level of ownership. You will not simply be responsible for the commercial management of individual projects; you will provide the senior commercial direction for the civils operation and work directly with the MD and FD on business performance, risk and future planning.

The breadth of the company's operations also means the role offers exposure to different forms of civil engineering and infrastructure work, rather than being restricted to one project type or client environment.

For a Commercial Manager, Senior Commercial Manager, Commercial Lead or Senior Quantity Surveyor ready to take greater ownership, this provides the opportunity to step into a position where commercial decisions have a direct bearing on the wider business.

About the Role

As Head of Commercial, you will lead the commercial function across multiple live civil engineering and infrastructure projects, providing robust financial and contractual control while supporting the senior leadership team with commercial strategy and decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

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Lead the commercial function across civils and infrastructure projects

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Oversee CVRs, forecasting, cash flow and financial reporting

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Advise the MD and FD on commercial risk, opportunity and performance

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Support bid strategy, pricing and contract negotiations

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Ensure effective contract management across NEC and JCT forms

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Develop and improve commercial processes, controls and reporting

Candidate Background

The business is looking for an experienced civil engineering commercial professional who combines strong technical and financial understanding with the confidence to operate at senior management level.

You could currently be a Commercial Manager, Senior Commercial Manager, Commercial Lead or Senior Quantity Surveyor who has the experience and commercial judgement to take overall responsibility for a civils commercial function.

The key requirements are:

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Proven senior commercial experience within civil engineering or infrastructure

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Strong understanding of project financial strategy and commercial risk

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Experience managing CVRs, forecasting, cash flow and commercial reporting

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Confidence advising at Managing Director and Finance Director level

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Strong knowledge of NEC and JCT contracts

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Commercially sharp, pragmatic and solutions-focused

Summary

This Head of Commercial position offers genuine ownership of the commercial function within an established infrastructure business with more than five decades of operating history.

The successful Head of Commercial will have direct senior-level exposure, broad commercial responsibility and the opportunity to influence how the civils operation manages performance, risk and future growth.

Contact Mark at Up Front Recruitment for more information