Commercial Manager - Client Side

Are you a commercial manager of experience working client or consultancy side on infrastructure projects?

Do you have experience of procurement of new construction contracts?

Location: Bristol Working Arrangement: 2 days per week in the office Day Rate: £400-£450 per day IR35 Status: Outside IR35 Contract Type: Contract - initial duration to be confirmed Sector: Public Sector / Local Authority / Infrastructure

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to support a council-based organisation in the procurement, onboarding and commercial management of new construction contracts across rail and highways infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background working within a client-side organisation, local authority or consultancy environment, with demonstrable experience managing the procurement and mobilisation of construction contracts from initial commercial strategy through to contract award and implementation. Experience working with NEC contracts is essential, alongside a strong understanding of public sector procurement processes, commercial governance and infrastructure project delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused professional to support a public sector organisation in delivering infrastructure projects through robust procurement, contract management and commercial assurance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the procurement and onboarding of new construction contracts across rail and highways infrastructure projects.
• Manage the commercial process from procurement strategy and tender preparation through to evaluation, negotiation, contract award and mobilisation.
• Provide commercial advice and guidance to project teams, procurement colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of tender documentation, pricing schedules, contractual requirements and procurement strategies.
• Manage and review NEC contracts, ensuring appropriate contractual mechanisms, commercial controls and governance arrangements are in place.
• Oversee tender evaluations, commercial assessments and contractor negotiations to achieve value for money and manage commercial risk.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with relevant public sector procurement legislation, council policies and internal governance procedures.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, project management, legal, procurement and finance teams to ensure contracts are commercially robust and aligned with project objectives.
• Support contract mobilisation and onboarding, ensuring appropriate documentation, approvals, commercial processes and reporting arrangements are established.
• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial, contractual and procurement risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide commercial reporting, advice and recommendations to senior management and project stakeholders.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of commercial procedures, procurement processes and contract management practices.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience working as a Commercial Manager or in a similar senior commercial role within a client-side organisation, consultancy or public sector environment.
• Demonstrable experience managing the procurement, award and onboarding of new construction contracts.
• Experience across rail, highways or wider infrastructure projects.
• Strong working knowledge and experience of NEC forms of contract, including relevant commercial and contractual procedures.
• Experience of public sector procurement, tendering, contractor evaluation and contract award processes.
• Strong understanding of commercial governance, risk management, contractual compliance and value-for-money principles.
• Experience engaging with contractors, consultants, local authorities and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to provide clear commercial advice and manage multiple procurement and contract-related activities.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience supporting a local authority, council or other public sector infrastructure organisation.
• Knowledge of current public procurement legislation and public sector governance requirements.
• Experience supporting contract mobilisation and establishing commercial controls for newly awarded contracts.
• Experience working across multiple infrastructure projects or frameworks.
• Relevant commercial, procurement or project management qualifications.

Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be a commercially astute professional with a strong client-side or consultancy background, capable of taking ownership of construction procurement and contract onboarding activities. They will combine practical NEC contract knowledge with experience of public sector governance and infrastructure delivery, helping the council establish robust commercial arrangements and successfully bring new rail and highways construction contracts into operation