National Highways
Senior Commercial Manager

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About the job
National Highways have an excellent opportunity for multiple Senior Commercial Managers to join our Commercial Delivery team within Major Projects. As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will deliver a consistent and high-quality commercial service within a project portfolio in support of the Major Projects Directorate, the service to cover; investment decisions, budget management, commercial management, contract administration, commercial dispute management and commercial performance management.
Please note these positions can be based from any of our UK offices however travel to regional offices and project site offices to attend team meetings will be required.
- Lead on the commercial and contract management of schemes/contracts and ensure that all works/services are managed in line with the contracts. Ensure all contractual matters are responded within the contractual timescales, managing the services provided by contracted third parties to deliver assurance of the schemes.
- Provide commercial support across a range of activities, aiding decision making on commercial efficiencies, acting as a source of authoritative advice on contract administration, cost capture, analysis, performance, related intelligence and opportunities for performance improvement.
- Drive any new procurements supported by Procurement and undertake contract document review and tender assessments.
- Continuous analysis and review of contract performance and cost performance to identify and implement improvements.
- In conjunction with the Head of Commercial Delivery, operate as an integrated member of the project portfolio teams, attending portfolio / project team meetings / business reviews / project boards as the commercial representative.
- Promote National Highways’ reputation through building visible and effective partnerships with the supply chain.
About you
- Experience of leading and managing commercial teams including matrix management.
- Excellent capacity to absorb complex and diverse information and use strong practical influencing skills, both internally and externally to optimise commercial interests.
- Demonstrable experience of optimising value for money outcomes when using public money.
- Significant knowledge of NEC forms of contract. Experience of procurement and commercial management using NEC forms of contract.
- Professional qualified, RICS, ICE or equivalent.
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About us
Here at National Highways, we manage and improve England’s motorways and major A roads, helping our customers have safer, smoother and more reliable journeys. Our priorities are safety, customers and delivery, and at the core of this, are our values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership.
Major Projects are responsible for major enhancements to our road network. We make roads safer, journeys more reliable and unlock economic growth. At the same time, we seek out ways to create opportunities for sustainable travel, help nature to thrive and support our journey to net zero carbon.
Our team work closely with the supply chain to design and construct road projects, as well as develop a pipeline of possible projects as we look to the future. Our skills span many areas from customer experts, land and property advisers to project management. We understand the potential that our road schemes can bring.
External candidates will be offered a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, while current employees will be appointed in accordance with our established pay policy.
We are committed to creating a diverse environment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Why you should join us
At National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. We’re proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to do better and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers.
So, if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it – then you’ll be a great fit for our organisation.
A connected and sustainable working approach has been adopted across National Highways. For some roles, this means being able to work in a hybrid way spending up to 60% of time working from a remote location such as home.
We offer many different ways to work flexibly and we’re open to discuss part-time working, job shares, and flexible start and finish times.


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Please wait until the interview stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what is possible.
Our benefits package
- Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus
- Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
- Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
- Flexible hours and an approach driven by connected and sustainable working which includes hybrid working
- Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
- Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
- A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
- Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience
And we are
- Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
- Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
- Community friendly – offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year
If you are successful, it is key to know all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of our pre-employment checks which include:
- Right to work check
- 3 year employment history references
- DBS criminal record check
- Social media and adverse journalism check
- Driving licence check (if applicable)
- Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)
- Qualifications and/or professional membership check (if applicable)
And finally
We reserve the right to close before the advertisement expires.
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