Commercial Manager

Job Description: Commercial Manager (Barrow-Based)

Location: Barrow-in-Furness (3 days on-site, 2 days remote)

Contract Type: Permanent or Contract (Inside IR35, long-term opportunity through to 2027)

Direct Reports: 4–5 (mix of QS, project controls, cost engineering, and cost control)

Clearance Requirement: SC Clearance (existing or ability to obtain)

Overview

We are seeking a Commercial Manager with strong NEC experience to lead and develop a commercial team based in Barrow. This is a hands-on leadership role, responsible for providing direction, motivation, and commercial expertise to a team delivering within a challenging project environment. The successful candidate will bring both technical NEC knowledge and strong people skills to inspire and support the team, while ensuring commercial outcomes are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of 4–5 commercial professionals (QS, cost engineering, project controls).

• Ensure delivery of all commercial obligations including change control, subcontractor management, risk management, forecasting, and reporting.

• Oversee NEC contracts (primarily NEC Option C), including cost audits and payment applications.

• Provide hands-on support and direction, while ensuring the team executes day-to-day deliverables.

• Motivate and develop the team, fostering collaboration, resilience, and accountability.

• Address challenging contracts, identifying solutions to improve performance and compliance.

• Support the ongoing restructuring and strengthening of the commercial function.

Candidate Profile

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong track record as a Commercial Manager, ideally in a complex project environment.

• Proven knowledge of NEC contracts (particularly Option C) and their practical application.

• Experience managing commercial teams and delivering through others.

• Demonstrated success in cost auditing, applications for payment, and change control.

• Strong leadership, with the ability to motivate and support teams to achieve results.

• High emotional intelligence; able to engage with individuals and understand team dynamics.

• Resilient, confident, and capable of managing difficult contract situations.

• Eligible for or already holding SC Clearance (previous clearance strongly preferred).

Desirable

• Experience within defence, nuclear, or other regulated industries.

• Familiarity with large, complex infrastructure or engineering projects.