Network Rail
Commercial Manager
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Who We Are
Join Network Rail! Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.
Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision.
About The Role
In the Commercial Manager role, you will provide post-contract commercial management of medium value/medium risk activity and support pre-contract activity within the project delivery team's scope of work, providing specialist commercial advice, guidance and recommendations to mitigate commercial risks.
Please note there are 2 roles available.
Key Accountabilities
- Support the programme and project teams in monitoring for breaches of compliance with Network Rail Corporate governance and rules in a timely manner.
- Manage cost reporting of all allocated projects within the Network Rail reporting framework including Cost Forecasting, Anticipated Final Cost, Cost of Work Done, Gross Billing and Current Contract Value.
- Monitor, manage and report on all commercial aspects of allocated projects, flagging issues and proposing mitigation actions at the earliest opportunity to Project Manager and/or Programme Manager (functional reporting line) and/or Senior Commercial Manager.
- Monitor awareness of all activities on allocated projects in order to influence decision making from a commercial perspective. Review contractor delivery; including leading valuation of medium value/medium risk contracts and attending all progress meetings to actively influence contractor's commercial behaviours, delivery and activity.
- Manage assessment and valuation of contractor's applications and processing of payment certification in accordance with Network Rail processes, contractual terms and conditions and commensurate with contractual entitlement. Challenge cost elements, audit where appropriate and check valuations are consistent with agreed site progress.
- Provide pro-active advice and guidance to Project Managers on all change including proposed scope changes, recommending appropriate action in accordance with Network Rail change control systems and produce all required documentation for approval in accordance with levels of delegated authority, including comparative estimates where required, in a timely manner.
- Produce applications for payment/invoices to outside clients in accordance with relevant funding agreements, including supporting documentation as appropriate.
- Identify and advise on all commercial risk/claim events.
- Provide ad-hoc management information and analysis to promote informed decision-making.
- Produce appropriate commercial correspondence and contractual notices for issue in accordance with contractual conditions. Check commercial records are retained and archived properly upon close out.
- Undertake final account settlements and internal reconciliation to project close-out as per the project authority, project plan and within agreed timescales.
- Support demonstration of efficiencies and continual improvement of estimating by undertaking cost analysis of completed projects and feedback as per Cost Allocation Feedback process.
- Support pre and post contract procurement activities as appropriate.
- Provide support to estimating resources, offering guidance and advice on project scale/scope as required.
- Support the negotiation of all prices under existing contracts/framework agreements (including the negotiation of target costs) and fully participate in the associated quantitative risk assessment and value management workshops, as required.
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Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects
- Demonstrable relevant experience
- Good understanding of railway and construction industry forms of contract
- Good understanding of the construction/railway industry
- Good negotiation skills
Desirable Criteria
- Educated to degree standard in related subject
- Membership of a relevant professional institute, chartered status
- Significant experience of working within a generalist commercial environment
- Awareness of industry issues
Please note: Applicants must provide proof of essential qualifications and/or competencies where required, or demonstrate active progress toward obtaining them, or evidence their applicable experience as a condition of employment.
External How To Apply
Network Rail welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, marital status (including civil partnerships), pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender status, sex (or gender), employment status, trade union affiliation, or other irrelevant factor.
We are a Disability Confident Leader employer! We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
We are here to support you through every step of the recruitment process and to enable you to perform to the best of your ability. If you require any adjustments or modifications please contact Mark Holt (Resourcing Business Partner) at mark.holt@networkrail.co.uk. You can also visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available.
We positively embrace flexible working, recognising that employees may wish to balance work with their family and home life.
Network Rail Benefits - To find out about what benefits we offer, click here
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Network Rail is required to comply with UK Government standards when carrying out pre-employment checks for all new starters; this includes a basic criminal record check. In addition to the basic criminal record check, in accordance with the UK Government we are also required to verify your identity, right to work in the UK and previous three years employment history.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information. Please ensure you have the appropriate Right to Work status when applying for this role.
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness of our safety vision.
Network Rail can offer you a rewarding career with competitive pay and excellent benefits including a choice of contributory pension schemes, a generous annual leave package, a bonus scheme and an annual 75% subsidy on season tickets costing up to £3,333 (to a maximum amount of £2,500). You will also be entitled to 28 days annual leave
Salary: £43,588 to £53,167 per annum (plus an inner London allowance of £3,270 per annum).
Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel, this includes off peak and super off peak tickets*
Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.
Closing date: 21st August 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
Here are a few of the benefits we offer
- 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days
- Choice of pension schemes
- 75% discount of leisure travel for you and your family
- Private Healthcare
- 5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
- Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
- Gym Pass - access to gyms across UK
- My Benefits platform - giving national and local retail discount
Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we'll do our best to assist you.
Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. We will share further details with you as part of your formal offer.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information.
Your Experience And Skills
An ideal candidate will have strong organisational and stakeholder management skills, be able to manage high volumes of workload and prioritise tasks effectively. An ideal candidate will be able to initially work on their own but with a view to build a team of capable and reliable commercial professionals who will support the business from route to market selection & contract formulation through to final accounts and project close out.
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