Key Personnel Role: The Commercial Manager is responsible for the overall commercial management and contractual administration of the project, ensuring the Contractor's commercial interests are protected and maximised throughout the project lifecycle.
The role includes contract administration, cost control, claims management, change management, procurement support, forecasting, risk management, and management of commercial staff.
The Commercial Manager shall ensure compliance with contractual obligations while driving commercial performance, maintaining accurate reporting, and supporting the successful delivery of the works.
Key Responsibilities
- Contract Administration
- Administer the contract in accordance with the applicable conditions of contract (e.g. FIDIC Pink Book)
- Commercial / contractual advice to project management and operational teams.
- Ensure contractual notices, submissions, and correspondence are issued within required time limits.
- Monitor compliance with contractual obligations by all parties.
- Interpret contract provisions and advise on entitlements, risks, and obligations.
- Maintain comprehensive commercial and contractual records.
- Claims and Change Management
- Lead the preparation, submission, negotiation, and resolution of:
- Extension of Time claims
- Prolongation and disruption claims
- Variations and change orders
- Additional cost claims
- Final account submissions
- Assess contractual entitlement arising from delays, disruptions, design changes, access issues, and Employer/Engineer actions.
- Manage contemporary records and supporting documentation for claims.
- Coordinate with planning, engineering, procurement, and construction teams in claim preparation.
- Support dispute avoidance and dispute resolution processes.
- Cost Management and Forecasting
- Manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting systems.
- Monitor project costs against budget and identify commercial risks and opportunities.
- Prepare monthly commercial reports and cash flow forecasts.
- Oversee valuation of work done and payment applications.
- Ensure accurate cost capture and financial reporting.
- Monitor productivity and cost performance indicators.
- Procurement and Subcontract Management
- Support procurement strategy and subcontract package administration.
- Commercial negotiations with subcontractors and suppliers.
- Prepare, review, and administer subcontract agreements.
- Manage subcontractor claims, variations, and payments.
- Evaluate subcontractor commercial performance and risks.
- Risk Management
- Identify and assess commercial and contractual risks.
- Develop mitigation strategies to protect the Contractor's position.
- Maintain commercial risk registers and reporting mechanisms.
- Provide strategic commercial advice on high-risk matters.
- Stakeholder Management
- Liaise with the Employer, Engineer, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers on commercial matters.
- Participate in commercial meetings and negotiations.
- Maintain professional and effective working relationships with project stakeholders.
- Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor quantity surveyors, contract administrators, and commercial staff.
- Allocate workload and ensure commercial deliverables are achieved.
- Promote commercial awareness across the project team.
- Assist in recruitment, training, and development of commercial personnel.
Qualifications
- Essential – Tertiary level of education in relevant and related discipline or proven track record at a commercial management role.
- Minimum 10–15 years experience in construction/commercial management roles on major infrastructure or construction projects (5-years of which is in rail projects)
- Strong knowledge of FIDIC or equivalent forms of contract.
- Proven experience in claims and variation management.
- Strong understanding of construction methodologies and project delivery.
