Network Rail
Senior Commercial Manager
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Who We Are
Join Our Team at Network Rail!
Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us!
At Eastern Region Commercial Directorate, we are looking for talented individuals to join our growing team and work alongside a range of business units and across a varied and large portfolio. There are opportunities to support and lead Commercial activities on major projects and programmes, which deliver some of the most exciting and innovative projects in UK infrastructure, to smaller-scale, higher volume reactive works which keep the railway moving and support business-critical activities.
The Eastern Region Commercial Team prides itself on continuous improvement and a learning culture, with opportunities for career development for everyone, where individuals with the right skills, enthusiasm and behaviours can make a real impact to the commercial, supply chain and governance approaches we take in Eastern Region. Furthermore, we are part of the solution to addressing wider industry targets in our business, such as sustainable supply chains or carbon net zero targets, therefore no one day need be the same.
You Can Learn More About Our Region Here
- Eastern region - Network Rail
We're proud to be building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We know that inclusive teams make better decisions, drive innovation, and help us create a safer, more accessible railway for everyone. Even if you don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. If you're passionate about making a difference and believe you have the skills or potential to thrive in this role, we'd love to hear from you. We're committed to creating an open, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong. Your unique perspective and experience could be exactly what we need to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Discover more about our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail Equity, diversity and inclusion - Network Rail.
We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
About The Role
As Senior Commercial Manager you will be responsible for providing strategic commercial leadership across major programmes, portfolios or business functions, ensuring the successful delivery of organisational objectives through effective commercial management, governance and risk control. The role leads the development and implementation of commercial strategies, procurement approaches and contract management plans to maximise value, support business priorities and protect the organisation's commercial interests.
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You will provide expert advice to stakeholders, oversee complex contractual and commercial matters, drive performance and continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policy and governance requirements.
As we continue investing in Britain's railway and prepare for the transition to Great British Railways, you'll play a key role in shaping commercial strategy, driving value for money, managing risk and developing high-performing commercial teams.
- Locations: Derby, London (Stratford), Manchester and York. As part of your application, you will be asked to specify which location you are applying for.
- Salary: £55,596 - £67,813 depending on experience.
About
Read the attached information pack to learn more about the Commercial function at Network Rail. You can also hear from our people about what it's like to work at Network Rail:
- Assessments: Assessments are expected to take place in-person in October 2026, across various dates and locations. More details of these will be released to candidates who pass the sifting criteria.
- Candidates should be comfortable with occasional travel to client sites, regional offices, or other business locations as needed.
We may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
What's in it for you?
We offer a strong reward package designed to support your career, wellbeing and life outside work, including:
- 28 days annual leave - with the opportunity to buy and/or sell up to 5 days
- Financial support towards relevant educational and professional qualifications, where these align with your development plan and business needs, subject to funding availability.
- Access to a range of contributory pension schemes
- The potential to top up your competitive salary with a bonus
- A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train
- Privileged staff travel - Discretionary leisure travel discount of 75%
- We can offer you a season ticket loan, annual season tickets are discounted.
- A 35-hour-per-week contract with flexible working options available to help support your work-life balance
- Hybrid working where possible and enhanced family-friendly support
- Take advantage of healthcare offers (including discounted healthcare club membership), discounted cycle hire, and online shopping sites
- 5 days of paid volunteering leave
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community
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Your Experience And Skills
What you'll be doing:
While there may be specific role-related duties not listed here, in general you'll lead the commercial management of high-profile rail infrastructure projects from inception through to final account settlement.
Working closely with project teams, contractors and senior stakeholders, you'll develop commercial strategies, oversee contract and framework management, manage risk and change control, and ensure robust financial governance across your portfolio.
You'll lead complex negotiations, resolve commercial challenges, support procurement activities and drive continuous improvement, while providing leadership, coaching and development to commercial professionals within your team.
What You'll Have
- Knowledge of railway and construction industry conditions of contract
- Educated to degree level or equivalent and professional qualification
- Experienced negotiator
- Experience of resolution of construction contract disputes
- 5 years' relevant railway and/or construction experience
- Knowledge of railway commercial contract management
As part of your application, you'll be asked to explain how your skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications meet the essential criteria. Please also upload your latest CV when prompted.
We would also like but it isn't crucial to have/to be:
- Experience of managing and developing a team of staff
- Good communication skills both written and oral
- Experience of contractors accounts
Ideal For
The ideal Senior Commercial Manager will be an accomplished commercial leader with experience of managing complex contract commercial portfolios. They will demonstrate exceptional commercial acumen, strategic thinking and sound judgement, with a proven ability to develop and implement commercial strategies that deliver value for money while effectively managing risk and protecting organisational interests. The successful candidate will be a confident and influential leader, capable of building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, leading high-performing teams and driving a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement. They will possess expert knowledge of procurement, contract management, commercial governance and dispute resolution, combined with strong negotiation skills and the ability to resolve complex commercial challenges. Above all, they will be a credible, resilient and results-driven professional who can provide strategic direction, inspire others and deliver successful outcomes across a dynamic and challenging business environment.
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