Principal Commercial Manager

Location

North of Bristol (3 days onsite)

up to £95k + Package OR Contractor Inside IR35 (Rate Negotiable on experience)

The Principal Commercial Manager is a senior, high-level commercial leadership role responsible for overseeing complex commercial activities across major frameworks and contracts. The role provides strategic commercial governance, builds and maintains strong client relationships and leads, mentors, and develops a team of commercial professionals.

• Provide senior commercial leadership across large, complex frameworks and contracts
• Establish and maintain robust commercial governance, controls, and best practice
• Lead commercial strategy, risk management, and compliance with contractual obligations
• Ensure consistent application of commercial policies and procedures
• Take overall responsibility for large frameworks, ensuring commercial performance and value delivery
• Provide expert commercial advice on NEC3 and NEC4 contracts
• Manage commercial risk, change control, and dispute avoidance and resolution
• Act as a senior commercial interface with key internal and external stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong, trusted client relationships
• Support collaborative working and proactive communication with clients and partners
• Mentor, coach, and support team members, fostering professional development
• Provide guidance, training, and escalation support on complex commercial matters

• Significant, demonstrable commercial management experience (typically 10+ years)
• Proven experience in highways maintenance, structures, or bridges environments
• Strong working knowledge of NEC3 and/or NEC4 contracts
• Experience operating at a senior level with complex frameworks and stakeholders
• Bridge experience combined with strong commercial expertise
• Experience working directly with or alongside National Highways

• Rail-only commercial experience (without highways, structures, or bridges exposure)