Senior Commercial Manager

Location

Manchester, Liverpool, Warrington, UK

Contract Type

Permanent

Work Pattern

Full Time

Market and Discipline

Environment and society; Project programme and commercial management

Job Ref

15549

Recruiter Contact

Danielle Judd

Overview of the Role

This role leads the Mott MacDonald United Utilities Lot 1 Commercial Assurance Service, delivering independent commercial assurance across UU’s capital programme. The Quantity Surveyor will verify contractor/consultant costs, assess NEC compliance, and ensure that commercial processes are robust, transparent, and aligned with UU governance. The role is essential in protecting value for money and supporting our client’s regulatory and audit obligations.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead the delivery of projects under the Lot 1 Commercial Assurance Service, ensuring time and budget targets.
• Manage resources to match service requirements.
• Accountable for commercial performance of projects delivered under the Lot.
• Implement all internal BMS/governance activities.
• Provide timely performance data to the Account Lead and contribute to account reviews.
• Lead Lot 1 business development activities to win profitable work inline with portfolio expectations.

Cost Assurance & Audit (Lot 1 Core Function)

• Lead detailed cost assurance reviews of contractor/consultant accounts and AFPs across AMP7/AMP8 projects.
• Validate Defined Cost, People Rates, Fee Percentages, and Disallowed Costs per NEC3/NEC4 and UU’s Commercial Assurance Framework.
• Conduct forensic analysis of labour, plant, materials, subcontractor/consultant costs, and overheads.
• Review and challenge Compensation Event quotations against the Schedule of Cost Components (SCC).
• Produce structured assurance reports with findings, recommendations, and required corrective actions.

Commercial Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all commercial activity aligns with United Utilities’ governance processes and audit requirements.
• Support maintenance of a robust audit trail for internal and external audits and regulatory scrutiny (e.g., Ofwat).
• Monitor contractor adherence to NEC processes, including early warnings, compensation events, communications, and programme submissions.
• Provide independent commercial insight to UU project managers, quantity surveyors, contract managers, and senior stakeholders.

NEC Contract Management

• Apply advanced knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 ECC/PSC (Options A, C, E) to assess contractor/consultant submissions and entitlement.
• Support assessment and negotiation of Compensation Events.
• Review Project Manager Instructions, Defined Cost records, and subcontractor flows for NEC compliance.

Financial Controls & Reporting

• Support UU’s cost forecasting, budget validation, and financial governance processes.
• Identify cost risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for value improvement.
• Contribute to monthly commercial assurance dashboards and governance packs.
• Track trends across projects to inform UU’s commercial strategy and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with UU’s Commercial, Engineering, Project Delivery, and Finance teams.
• Engage constructively with delivery partners and tier‑1 contractors and sub‑consultants while maintaining independence.
• Present assurance findings to senior leadership, governance boards, and audit forums.
• Own relationships with key client stakeholders and convert opportunities into fee‑earning commissions in line with internal governance.

Candidate Specification

Essential

• Strong experience as a Quantity Surveyor within utilities, water sector, infrastructure, or major capital programmes.
• Proven experience delivering commercial assurance, cost audit, or NEC cost verification services.
• Deep working knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 ECC, especially Options A, C, and E.
• Strong analytical capability with ability to interrogate complex cost data.
• Excellent understanding of Defined Cost, SCC, Disallowed Costs, and NEC compensation event mechanisms.
• Ability to produce high quality assurance reports and communicate findings clearly.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with cost management systems.

Desirable

• Experience working on United Utilities or other UK water company frameworks.
• Understanding of Ofwat expectations, regulatory reporting, and capital efficiency drivers.
• Professional membership or progression toward RICS, ICES, or equivalent.
• NEC ECC Project Manager Accreditation.
• Experience supporting internal/external audit processes.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. is not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. We welcome candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes that do not require sponsorship.

Agile Working

Hybrid working policy that embraces well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We commit to promoting fair employment practices and an inclusive environment for everyone.

Accessibility

We provide reasonable adjustments and support for disabled applicants. Contact reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com for assistance.

Benefits

• Financial wellbeing: 4.5–7 % employer pension contribution match; life assurance up to 4× basic salary, optional increase to 6×; income protection; flexible benefits.
• Employee Ownership: direct stake and voice in the business, with performance bonuses.
• Health and wellbeing: private medical insurance, health cash plan, access to Peppy menopause support, and comprehensive wellbeing program.
• Lifestyle: minimum 33–35 days holiday, ability to buy/sell leave, 10 days additional paid leave for armed forces reservists, increased entitlement after five years.
• Enhanced family and carers leave: paid maternity, adoption, paternity/partner leave; up to five additional days for caring responsibilities; support for military families.
• Learning and development: annual professional institution subscription; mentoring and formal training.
• Networks, communities, and social outcomes: support for LGBTQ+, gender, race, disability, and parent/carer communities; Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holder; social outcomes projects.

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