Senior Commercial Manager

The Role As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will be a key leader ensuring the effective procurement, execution, and management of high-value contracts. You will work at the heart of a world-class engineering programme, shaping contract strategy and enabling industry partnerships that will drive the realisation of fusion energy. Contract Strategy & Delivery - Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex contracts, including supply, engineering, and service agreements. - Ensure contract terms align with programme goals, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. - Drive a collaborative approach to contract management, ensuring fair and productive relationships with Whole Plant Partners. - Provide expert risk assessment and mitigation strategies for contractual obligations. - Manage the full contract lifecycle, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are achieved on time and within budget. - Develop and maintain robust tracking and reporting systems to monitor contract performance. - Lead the resolution of contract disputes, working closely with legal, technical, and sourcing teams. - Maintain compliance with all commercial, legal, and regulatory frameworks. Team Leadership & Development - Oversee and develop a cross-functional commercial team, including UKFE employees and Whole Plant Partner representatives. - Stay ahead of industry advancements in fusion energy and apply insights to optimise contract strategies. - Promote a collaborative and high-performance culture, ensuring seamless integration across teams. - Mentor and coach team members, providing guidance on complex contract management issues. - Lead on continuous improvement initiatives to enhance commercial processes and supplier performance. - Maintain strong supplier relationships and ensure contract compliance across all stakeholders. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement - Serve as the primary contact for all contract-related matters within your IPT. - Work closely with technical and commercial teams to drive contract performance. - Provide training and support to internal teams on best practices in contract management. - Act as a cultural ambassador, ensuring UKFE values are reflected in all partnerships and negotiations. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested. We are looking for a seasoned contract management professional with a track record of success in complex, high-value engineering projects. Essential Skills & Experience: - MCIPS or RICS Qualification (or equivalent). - Proven experience in senior contract management, ideally in engineering, or major infrastructure projects. - Strong expertise in NEC contracts, procurement strategies, and commercial frameworks. - Experience leading small to medium-sized commercial teams and delivering strategic outcomes. - Excellent negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to work in a highly regulated environment, ensuring strict compliance. - Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience working cross-functionally. - Strategic mindset with a focus on long-term collaborative partnerships. - Adaptability to work in a fast-paced, evolving programme. Desirable Experience: - Accredited Government Commercial Practitioner (or willingness to obtain). - Experience managing Joint Ventures or Consortia Contracts. - Public sector knowledge, including experience working with government regulations and policies. - Track record of implementing commercial transformation initiatives.