Senior Commercial Manager – Construction

Overview

Full-time role with a salary of £64,115 plus excellent benefits including a generous pension. Location: West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Division: UKFE – Commercial; Department: UKFE – Commercial and Supply Chain.

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the design and delivery of the STEP prototype fusion plant. UKFE is establishing itself, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype. Fusion energy is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century, with first operations targeted around 2040. UKFE will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain.Join UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey.

As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options, including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

Salary for this role is £64,115. This role includes a non-contractual and non-pensionable specialist allowance of up to £7,000 for candidates who possess CIPS/MCIPS certifications.

This position is based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire with onsite working expected for 3 days each week.

Job Description

The Role

As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will be a key commercial leader within one of our Integrated Project Teams (IPTs), driving procurement, execution and contract management of major construction and infrastructure packages within the STEP programme. You will shape the commercial strategy for complex capital works, enable industry partnerships and ensure successful delivery of this world-first project.

• Lead drafting, negotiation and execution of complex construction, civils, infrastructure and engineering contracts, aligned with programme objectives and milestones.
• Ensure contract terms reflect best practice, meeting regulatory, safety and quality standards typical of major capital projects.
• Drive a collaborative, alliance-based approach to contract management with Whole Plant Partners and major Tier 1 contractors.
• Provide construction-focused risk assessment and mitigation strategies across design, construction and commissioning phases.
• Oversee full contract lifecycle for construction packages—from procurement and mobilisation through delivery, variations, compensation events and final account.
• Establish tracking and reporting systems to monitor contractor performance, site progress, cost forecasting and contract compliance.
• Lead resolution of contractual issues using NEC contract management and multi-disciplinary stakeholder engagement.
• Maintain compliance with commercial, legal, health and safety and regulatory frameworks governing major works.
• Lead and develop a cross-functional commercial team supporting construction delivery with UKFE colleagues and Whole Plant Partner organisations.
• Stay abreast of advancements in construction delivery models, digital construction, modern methods of construction (MMC) and large-scale infrastructure contracting.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture across commercial, engineering and construction management teams.
• Mentor and coach team members on complex construction commercial matters, NEC processes and supplier performance management.
• Drive continuous improvement of commercial processes, supply chain performance and contract governance.
• Maintain strong relationships with contractors and suppliers across the supply chain, ensuring accountability to scope, budget and schedule.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the principal point of contact for all contract-related matters within your IPT, particularly relating to construction and infrastructure delivery.
• Work with engineering, project management, construction management and commercial teams to drive contract performance and resolve issues rapidly.
• Provide training and support to internal teams on NEC procedures and best practices in major project delivery.
• Serve as a cultural ambassador for UKFE, reflecting our values in supplier interactions and negotiations.

The above is not an exhaustive list of activities; you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties.

Qualifications

We are looking for a seasoned commercial professional with significant experience managing contracts on major construction, civil engineering or infrastructure programmes.

• MCIPS or RICS qualification (or equivalent).
• Proven experience in senior contract management roles within construction, engineering, or major infrastructure projects.
• Strong expertise in NEC contracts, construction procurement and commercial frameworks typical of large-scale delivery.
• Experience leading small to medium commercial teams and driving high-impact outcomes.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical and problem-solving abilities within construction supply chains.
• Ability to work in a highly regulated environment with compliance to safety, legal and commercial requirements.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Strategic mindset focused on long-term collaborative partnerships with contractors and delivery partners.
• Adaptability to a fast-paced, evolving programme environment.
• Accredited Government Commercial Practitioner (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience managing Joint Ventures or Consortia contracts in infrastructure or major construction programmes.
• Public sector experience, including working within government procurement regulations.
• Experience leading commercial transformation or process improvement initiatives within construction environments.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors promote EDI and strive to remove barriers to success.

UKFE is committed to accessibility. Please email talent@ukifs.uk for questions or to request adjustments to compete on a fair basis.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks. There is a possibility of SC Clearance in the future. If a candidate already holds SC clearance, it can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants outside the UK or who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, information on criminal records checks can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants. If your country is not listed, we cannot process your application.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive many applications. We may consider your application for future positions within the organisation.

We have a number of opportunities available at the moment; to view them please visit Careers – STEP.

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