Commercial Manager

Commercial Manager

Location: Glasgow (Hybrid Working)
Sector: Nuclear Defence / Major Infrastructure
Type: Permanent

About Westlakes Recruit

Westlakes Recruit is a specialist recruitment partner supporting some of the UK's most significant engineering, infrastructure and defence programmes. We are currently recruiting for an experienced Commercial Manager on behalf of a leading organisation operating within the Nuclear Defence sector.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a major programme delivering critical national infrastructure and defence capability. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in leading commercial strategy, governance and contract management across complex, high-value projects.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an accomplished Commercial Manager with extensive experience delivering commercial excellence across large-scale infrastructure, engineering or defence projects. The role requires a commercially astute professional with significant NEC3/NEC4 contract experience and a proven ability to lead commercial teams, manage risk and drive project performance throughout the full project lifecycle.
Working closely with project delivery, engineering, procurement and operational teams, you will provide strategic commercial leadership while ensuring robust governance, contractual compliance and successful commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership

Lead and oversee all commercial activities across major infrastructure and engineering projects.
Develop and implement commercial strategies aligned with business objectives and programme delivery requirements.
Provide commercial leadership from pre-contract through procurement, contract award and project execution.
Support business growth through effective commercial planning and decision-making.

Contract Management

Manage NEC3 and NEC4 contract administration across multiple projects and workstreams.
Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, governance requirements and client expectations.
Oversee change management processes, compensation events, early warnings and contractual claims.
Support dispute avoidance and resolution activities where required.

Financial and Commercial Performance

Drive effective cost management, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
Monitor project performance and ensure commercial targets and profitability objectives are achieved.
Provide robust commercial analysis and reporting to senior stakeholders.
Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance and operational efficiency.

Risk and Opportunity Management

Identify, assess and manage commercial risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Develop and implement mitigation strategies to minimise commercial exposure.
Maximise commercial opportunities while ensuring contractual and financial controls are maintained.
Support strategic decision-making through effective risk assessment and commercial evaluation.

Procurement and Supply Chain Management

Lead tendering activities, bid evaluations and contract negotiations.
Develop procurement strategies to support project delivery and commercial objectives.
Manage relationships with subcontractors and supply chain partners.
Ensure effective commercial management of subcontract agreements and supplier performance.

Stakeholder Management

Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, project teams and senior business leaders.
Provide commercial guidance and support to multidisciplinary project teams.
Influence decision-making through the provision of commercially sound advice.
Represent the business in commercial discussions, negotiations and governance reviews.

Team Leadership

Lead, mentor and develop commercial professionals within the business.
Foster a collaborative, high-performing commercial team environment.
Support the ongoing development of commercial processes, procedures and best practice.
Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and commercial excellence.

Essential Requirements

Extensive knowledge and practical experience of NEC3 and NEC4 forms of contract.
Proven experience in a senior commercial management role within major infrastructure, engineering, defence, energy or construction environments.
Demonstrable experience leading commercial teams on large and complex projects.
Strong commercial acumen with excellent financial, analytical and negotiation skills.
Experience developing and implementing commercial and procurement strategies.
Thorough understanding of cost management, forecasting, budgeting and financial reporting.
Strong knowledge of change management, compensation events, risk management and contract administration.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
Ability to interpret complex technical and contractual information and provide commercially sound solutions.
Experience managing client, subcontractor and supply chain relationships.

Desirable Requirements

Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Law, Engineering or a related discipline.
Membership of a recognised professional body such as RICS, CICES or similar.
Experience working within highly regulated environments including Nuclear, Defence, Energy or Major Infrastructure sectors.
Knowledge of public sector procurement frameworks and government-funded programmes.

What's on Offer

Opportunity to work on nationally significant defence and infrastructure programmes.
Hybrid working arrangement.
Long-term career development within a growing and strategically important sector.
Exposure to complex, high-value projects with leading industry professionals.
Competitive salary and benefits package.

Apply

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Westlakes Recruit.
Westlakes Recruit is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed