Coventry University
Commercial Manager
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Our Mission
Coventry University Group is a global education group with a mission of Creating Better Futures. Driven by our passion and belief that through education, equity and innovation, our students, people and communities are empowered to transform their lives and the world around them.
This role sits within CU Services Limited, which serves as the home for Enterprise and Innovation within the Coventry University Group. The Enterprise & Innovation Organisation (EIO) acts as a strategic platform designed to provide a pathway through which business and society can leverage the teaching, research and wider expertise of Coventry University Group to transform lives, support lifelong learning, stimulate industrial research and commercialise new ideas.
The Role
As the Commercial Manager, you will be responsible for maximising commercial benefits while minimising operational, financial, reputational and legal risks across the enterprise business-to-business portfolio. You will lead the pricing, risk and compliance agenda for all commercial opportunities, with a particular focus on large, strategic commercial bids.
Key responsibilities include:
- Commercial Pricing: Analyse competitor financials, market rates and internal cost models to develop robust, competitive and profitable financial submissions.
- Risk & Compliance Frameworks: Establish and embed a culture of commercial compliance, safeguard institutional IP and develop financial risk models.
- Contract Negotiation & Third-Party Management: Mitigate contract risks during award stages and manage commercial relationships with third-party resource providers, including rates, SLAs, liabilities and risk exposure.
- Contract Change Control: Lead post-award change-control processes to cost and price scope variations, protecting project surplus targets.
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Our Successful Candidate
Our ideal candidate brings exceptional commercial acumen, strong leadership and demonstrated experience of managing multi-million-pound commercial projects from initial bid to contract delivery.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Degree-level education, an equivalent professional financial/business qualification, or extensive equivalent experience (a business or finance-related degree is desirable).
- Demonstrated experience managing high-value commercial bids/projects and driving organisational change through commercial reporting.
- Knowledge of the public sector, higher education sector, research, or contract law is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies:
- Commercial Acumen & Financial Skills: Highly developed numeracy and strategic thinking to analyse operating models, weigh commercial risks against rewards and optimise surplus.
- Stakeholder Management & Influencing: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with a history of influencing senior stakeholders with conflicting priorities.
- Analytical & Critical Thinking: Skilled in scenario planning, data analysis, competitor intelligence and independent problem-solving.
- Leadership & Attention to Detail: Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate direct reports while maintaining high levels of accuracy in pricing, governance and contractual details.
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The Benefits
As a staff member of CU Services Limited, you will have access to a wide range of industry-leading rewards and benefits which includes:
- Excellent Employers Pension Contribution
- 30 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- New Holiday Purchase Scheme up to 5 additional days
- Life Assurance 4 x Salary
- BUPA Cash Plan
- 50% off Tuition Fees for staff dependants
- CU Reward Scheme – Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers
- Cycle To work scheme
Our Culture
As a global Education Group, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded within the fabric of our organisation and are a key focus of our core values. We harness the power and potential of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of our students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities for all.
Full Job Description & Person Specification
Click here to view the full job description and person specification.
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