Cedar
SC Cleared Strategic Commercial Advisor (interim inside IR35)
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Strategic Commercial Lead - Critical National Infrastructure Programme (Construction, Design & Build)
£1000 per day | Inside IR35 | SC Clearance Required
Initial 6-Month Contract | Long-Term Programme with Extension
Candidates can be based anywhere in the UK, with occasional travel required to programme locations
This is not a traditional commercial role. We are seeking an exceptional Strategic Commercial Lead to join a nationally significant Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) programme delivering one of the UK's most complex and high-profile infrastructure transformations. You will operate as a trusted commercial advisor to executive leadership, shaping commercial strategy across a multi-billion-pound programme environment involving complex construction, infrastructure and systems integration.
Ideally you will have a strong background in Public Sector procurement & commercial regulations therefore have the ability to advise the senior leadership team on best practice, risk and governance to ensure successful delivery of this significant programme.
This is a rare opportunity to influence and lead commercial strategy on a programme of genuine national importance, working at the highest levels of governance, procurement, risk management, and supplier engagement.
You will play a pivotal role in shaping and influencing critical commercial decisions presented to:
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- Executive Leadership Teams/Board-Level Stakeholders
- Governance and Steering Committees, Programme Directors and Senior Sponsors
The successful candidate will provide strategic commercial leadership across major investment decisions, procurement strategies, supplier negotiations, contract risk positions, and programme-wide commercial governance.
You will be responsible for translating highly complex commercial and contractual issues into concise, commercially sound recommendations that support executive-level decision making throughout the programme lifecycle.
This role requires the credibility, gravitas, and strategic capability to challenge assumptions, influence senior stakeholders, and provide independent commercial assurance on decisions involving significant financial exposure, operational risk, and long-term programme outcomes.
You will lead discussions around:
- Major contract and procurement strategies
- Enterprise-level commercial risk and mitigation
- Investment approvals and business cases
- Supplier performance and market positioning
- Change control, claims strategy, and dispute avoidance
- Cost assurance, value optimisation, and commercial governance
- Long-term commercial sustainability and delivery confidence
This programme is expected to run for several years, with strong extension potential beyond the initial contract term.
We are specifically looking for individuals who have previously operated within:
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- Major infrastructure programmes - ideally within Public Sector or Critical National Infrastructure environments
- Highly regulated or mission-critical environments
- Large-scale, high-value construction programmes
- Complex stakeholder and supplier ecosystems
You must be able to demonstrate experience acting as a senior commercial lead or trusted advisor on programmes of comparable complexity, scale, and strategic importance.
Essential Experience
- Extensive experience leading commercial strategy across major infrastructure or construction programmes
- Strong NEC4 expertise including procurement, tender evaluation, pricing structures, and risk allocation
- Experience within Critical National Infrastructure, utilities, defence, transport, energy
- Proven capability advising executive leadership, boards, and steering committees
- Demonstrable experience influencing high-value commercial and investment decisions at executive level
- Deep understanding of commercial governance, enterprise risk, supplier strategy, and value optimisation
- Experience managing complex commercial environments involving multiple delivery partners/large supply chains
- Strong understanding of construction cost modelling and commercial assurance
Due to the nature of the programme, candidates must hold active SC Clearance.
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