Senior Commercial Manager

Cost Assurance & Audit (Lot 1 Core Function)

• Lead detailed cost assurance reviews of contractor/consultants accounts and AFP’s across AMP7/AMP8 projects
• Validate Defined Cost, People Rates, Fee Percentages, and Disallowed Costs in line with NEC3/NEC4 and UU’s Commercial Assurance Framework
• Conduct forensic analysis of labour, plant, materials, subcontractor/consultant costs, and overheads
• Review and challenge Compensation Event quotations against the Schedule of Cost Components (SCC)
• Produce structured assurance reports with findings, recommendations, and required corrective actions

Commercial Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all commercial activity aligns with United Utilities’ governance processes and audit requirements
• Support the maintenance of a robust audit trail for internal audit, external audit, and regulatory scrutiny (e.g., Ofwat)
• Monitor contractor adherence to NEC processes, including Early Warnings, Compensation Events, communications, and programme submissions
• Provide independent commercial insight to UU project managers, quantity surveyors, contract managers, and senior stakeholders

NEC Contract Management

• Apply deep knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 ECC/ PSC (Options A, C, E) to assess contractor/consultant submissions and entitlement
• Support the assessment and negotiation of Compensation Events
• Review Project Manager Instructions, Defined Cost records, and subcontractor flows for NEC compliance

Financial Controls & Reporting

• Support UU’s cost forecasting, budget validation, and financial governance processes
• Identify cost risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for value improvement
• Contribute to monthly commercial assurance dashboards and governance packs
• Track trends across projects to inform UU’s commercial strategy and continuous improvement

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work collaboratively with UU’s Commercial, Engineering, Project Delivery, and Finance teams
• Engage constructively with Delivery Partners and Tier 1 contractors and Subconsultants while maintaining independence
• Present assurance findings to senior leadership, governance boards, and audit forums
• Own relationships with key Client stakeholders and convert opportunities into fee earning commissions in line with internal governance

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Strong experience as a Quantity Surveyor within utilities, water sector, infrastructure, or major capital programmes
• Proven experience delivering commercial assurance, cost audit, or NEC cost verification services
• Deep working knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 ECC, especially Options A, C, and E
• Strong analytical capability with the ability to interrogate complex cost data
• Excellent understanding of Defined Cost, SCC, Disallowed Costs, and NEC compensation event mechanisms
• Ability to produce high quality assurance reports and communicate findings clearly
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with cost management systems

Desirable:

• Experience working on United Utilities or other UK water company frameworks
• Understanding of Ofwat expectations, regulatory reporting, and capital efficiency drivers
• Professional membership or progression toward RICS, ICES, or equivalent
• NEC ECC Project Manager Accreditation
• Experience supporting internal/external audit processes

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced