Commercial Manager

London, Leeds or Stowmarket - (Hybrid, Office, Site)
Permanent - Full time
Competitive Salary + Car/Car Allowance + Flexible Benefits

Summary

Freedom is looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to join our team based in either London or Stowmarket. You'll play a pivotal role in managing commercial performance across multiple frameworks, from tender through to project completion. As a senior leader, you'll provide strategic commercial support to the wider business, guiding work winning activities and ensuring all contractual and financial aspects are robust and in line with best practice. This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially astute professional with experience in the Energy, Transmission or Distribution sectors to take ownership of key business outcomes and shape the commercial strategy of our projects.

As Commercial Manager, you will:

• Lead, manage and support the commercial team, ensuring alignment with company values and objectives.
• Take ownership of commercial performance across several contracts and frameworks.
• Provide expert advice on commercial risk, opportunity, and contract compliance from bid stage through to completion.
• Ensure robust contract management both upstream (clients) and downstream (supply chain).
• Deliver accurate monthly cost value reconciliations (CVRs) and support financial reporting.
• Oversee the preparation of cash flow forecasts and monthly commercial forecasts.
• Value completed works, identify and manage compensation events, and ensure timely applications and invoicing.
• Attend project and client progress meetings, providing commercial updates and supporting documentation.
• Chair monthly project reviews, manage contract reviews and contribute to the preparation of regional management accounts.
• Work with internal teams to ensure financial targets and forecasting are met across business units.
• Support legal review of terms and conditions during bids and ensure rates are competitive and built from first principles.
• Assist in resolving commercial disputes and supporting audit processes.
• Promote a proactive safety culture and comply with all company SHEQ requirements.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive experience managing commercial performance on large-scale civil, structural or HV electrical projects.
• Strong knowledge of the transmission and distribution marketplace or similar energy sectors.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing high-performing commercial teams.
• Excellent understanding of NEC contract forms and commercial risk management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial performance and deliver results on major, complex projects (£50m+).
• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Experience in volume-based project environments.
• Background in successfully scaling and developing commercial teams.

Qualifications:

• Relevant degree or professional qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or similar.
• Chartered status (or working towards) is advantageous.

Benefits:

• Salary Sacrifice car scheme (Hybrid/Electric Vehicle)
• Pension with a leading provider and up to 8% employer contribution
• Up to 25 days holidays (Buy & Sell option) plus 8 Bank Holidays
• Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days
• Private Medical Insurance
• Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)
• Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes.

Next Steps

As a business, we're on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation.

We'll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

About Us

Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training.

Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward-thinking approach allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies.

Progression is something we value, and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.