Commercial Manager/Commercial Lead

RESPONSIBILITIES

About the Opportunity

Westlakes Recruit is currently supporting a leading organisation with the appointment of an experienced Commercial Manager to support the delivery of major Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) engineering and infrastructure projects Reading.

This is an opportunity for a commercially focused professional with experience across M&E, engineering, construction or highly regulated infrastructure environments, taking responsibility for the commercial management of complex projects and work packages.

You will work closely with project, engineering, procurement and delivery teams, providing commercial leadership throughout the project lifecycle while ensuring contractual, financial and governance requirements are maintained.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of major M&E and engineering projects from tender and procurement through to completion.
• Manage NEC3/NEC4 contracts, including contractual compliance, change management and commercial reporting.
• Manage mechanical and electrical subcontract packages and supplier relationships.
• Review and administer compensation events, early warnings, variations and change control.
• Monitor project costs, budgets, forecasts and cash flow.
• Lead tendering activities, commercial evaluations and contract negotiations.
• Review subcontractor applications, valuations, payments and final accounts.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Provide commercial advice to Project Managers, Engineers and senior stakeholders.
• Work closely with engineering teams to understand technical scope, programme requirements and commercial implications.
• Monitor project performance against budget, programme and contractual requirements.
• Support the preparation of commercial reports and forecasts for senior management.
• Ensure strong commercial governance and accurate project records throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support the resolution of commercial and contractual issues.
• Mentor and support junior members of the commercial team where required.

M&E / Engineering Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience across:

• Mechanical and electrical installation
• Industrial M&E
• Process engineering
• Mechanical and electrical infrastructure
• Pipework and mechanical systems
• Electrical systems
• Plant and equipment installation
• Engineering construction
• Energy and utilities
• Defence, nuclear or other highly regulated environments

Experience managing complex M&E interfaces, subcontractors and engineering work packages would be particularly valuable.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced commercial professional who can operate confidently within a complex engineering environment.

You will ideally have:

• Strong practical experience with NEC3 and/or NEC4 contracts.
• A background in commercial management across M&E, engineering, construction or infrastructure.
• Experience managing high-value projects and subcontract packages.
• Strong understanding of change control, compensation events, forecasting and cost management.
• Experience with procurement, tendering and commercial negotiations.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively with engineering, project management and procurement teams.
• Excellent commercial awareness and attention to detail.
• A structured and proactive approach to commercial risk management.

Qualifications & Security

A degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction, Engineering or a related discipline is desirable.

Membership of RICS, CICES or an equivalent professional body would be advantageous.

Due to the nature of the projects, candidates may be required to undergo security vetting and clearance and must meet the relevant eligibility requirements.