Unify
Commercial Manager
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Managing Quantity Surveyor
Location: Brighton / Hybrid
Salary: £80,000–£95,000 per annum
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 42.5 hours per week
Role Overview
A Managing Quantity Surveyor is a senior commercial leader within project delivery teams, responsible for driving commercial performance across civil engineering and infrastructure projects. The role ensures robust cost control, accurate reporting, effective subcontract procurement, and strong contractual governance across multiple schemes, typically valued at £10m+.
Role Purpose
To lead the commercial management of projects, ensuring accurate cost and value reporting, strong cash management, effective risk mitigation, and compliance with internal commercial processes. The role identifies commercial opportunities, protects the business from risk, and supports project teams with high-quality commercial insight.
Key Accountabilities
Commercial Management & Governance
- Produce accurate and timely cost and value reports at project and business unit level.
- Draft, update, and manage monthly CVRs, cost plans, and commercial strategies.
- Maintain accurate cash flow reporting and forecasting.
- Ensure compliance with internal commercial procedures and governance requirements.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of commercial processes.
Financial Performance
- Lead cost management and project forecasting activities.
- Prepare and submit upstream applications for payment.
- Manage project cash flow and final account settlements.
- Work with project teams to forecast expenditure and cash recovery.
- Identify and realise commercial opportunities to enhance project performance.
- Drive value through effective subcontract procurement.
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Contract & Risk Management
- Manage main contract and subcontract agreements, typically IChemE and NEC forms.
- Ensure contract terms align with corporate governance requirements.
- Identify, manage, and mitigate commercial risks.
- Lead contractual change, claims, and additional payment discussions.
- Protect the business from commercial and contractual risk throughout the project lifecycle.
- Conduct monthly on-site commercial inspections.
Leadership & Capability
- Provide commercial leadership and guidance to project and site teams.
- Share best practice and advise on cost management and efficiencies.
- Support development of commercial capability within project teams.
- Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and problem-solving skills.
Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with clients, representatives, and third parties on commercial matters.
- Lead supply chain engagement and ensure appropriate contractual arrangements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Collaborate effectively with project delivery, finance, and senior management teams.
Inter-company Trading
- Optimise inter-company trading where applicable.
- Work collaboratively across group entities.
Success Measures (KPIs)
- Accuracy and timeliness of cost, value, and cash reporting.
- Margin and cash performance versus forecast.
- Quality and robustness of CVRs and commercial plans.
- Effective management of commercial risk and contractual change.
- Successful procurement and management of subcontractors.
- Contribution to process improvement and best practice.
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About You
Essential
- Previous experience in the construction or civil engineering industry.
- Strong understanding of IChemE/NEC contracts and construction law.
- Experience in commercial management and subcontract procurement, including meetings, measurement cycles, certificates, and accruals.
- Demonstrable experience in monthly forecasting and cost analysis.
- Excellent communication, numerical, and IT skills (Microsoft Office).
- Strong organisation and time management skills, able to work to tight deadlines.
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, typically over £10m.
- Experience managing and developing quantity surveyors.
Desirable
- MRICS or MCIOB (or working towards).
- CSCS card.
- HND/Degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent.
- Experience in estimation.
- Experience working for a main works contractor.
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Benefits
- Competitive salary.
- Company pension.
- Life assurance.
- Private medical cover.
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and loyalty days.
- Volunteering allowance.
- Employee Assistance Programme (mental, physical, and financial wellbeing).
- Flexible benefits via salary sacrifice.
- Company car / green car scheme / car allowance / van (role dependent).
- Leadership and management training.
- Regular performance reviews and career development support.
- Internal and external training opportunities.
- Continuous service awards.
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