Chronos Energy are looking to recruit a Senior Commercial Manager who will provide commercial leadership across District heating/Heat network projects, ensuring robust subcontract negotiation, contract management and cost control. The role safeguards margin, manages risk, and supports predictable project delivery through disciplined commercial governance from procurement through final account. The role will involve travel to sites and office plus working from home.
Responsibilities
- Lead subcontract commercial negotiations and contract appointments
- Manage project CVRs, forecasts and estimate‑at‑completion
- Control variations, compensation events and commercial change
- Support Project Managers with cost, risk and cashflow insight
- Negotiate and agree subcontract final accounts
Sub-Contract & Supply Chain Commercial Management
- Lead the commercial strategy, negotiation and appointment of key subcontract and supply chain packages.
- Draft, negotiate and agree commercial terms within NEC, JCT or bespoke subcontract frameworks, ensuring balanced risk allocation and delivery‑aligned incentives.
- Maintain strong, professional relationships with subcontractors, promoting collaborative behaviours while protecting the companies commercial position.
- Negotiate and agree final accounts in line with contract terms and approved governance.
- Support procurement strategy and early engagement with delivery partners to improve cost certainty and market outcomes.
Project Cost Control & Financial Performance
- Establish and manage project commercial baselines, CVRs, forecasts and estimates at completion.
- Maintain visibility of cost, commitments, change and cashflow throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provide commercial analysis and insight to Project Managers and sponsors, highlighting risk, opportunity and required actions.
- Ensure timely and accurate valuation, application for payment and subcontract payment processes in collaboration with Finance.
Change, Claims & Final Account Management
- Lead commercial change control, including variations, compensation events and claims assessment.
- Ensure contractual entitlements are identified early, substantiated properly and managed proactively.
- Support dispute avoidance through early resolution, while leading formal dispute processes if required.
Commercial Governance & Risk Management
- Apply the companies commercial governance, approval thresholds and controls consistently across projects.
- Identify, manage and escalate commercial risks and opportunities through structured reporting and assurance to various stakeholders groups including Executive and Board-level.
- Ensure contracts and commercial decisions align with wider business risk appetite and strategic objectives.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of commercial templates, standards and ways of working.
Stakeholder Leadership & Mentoring
- Act as a trusted commercial partner to Project Managers and senior stakeholders.
- Provide guidance and mentoring to junior commercial team members and project staff.
- Influence delivery teams to adopt commercially disciplined, outcome‑focused behaviours.
- Represent the commercial function credibly within internal and external forums.
Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)
- Sub‑contracts agreed promptly with balanced, deliverable commercial terms
- Projects delivered within approved cost, margin and change controls
- Commercial risks identified early; minimal disputes and value leakage
Qualifications
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction, Engineering or similar
- Significant experience in senior commercial roles within energy, utilities, infrastructure or construction environments and ideally experience of heat networks
- Strong working knowledge of NEC and/or JCT contract forms and subcontract structures
- Proven experience managing subcontract negotiations, cost control, CVRs and final accounts
- Experience of mechanical & electrical engineering projects and contractors.
- Professional accreditation desirable (MRICS, MCIPS or equivalent)
Required Skills
- Commercially astute with strong judgement and decision‑making capability
- Confident negotiator with the ability to influence at senior levels
- Calm, structured and resilient under delivery pressure
- Clear, pragmatic communicator — able to translate contract detail into delivery reality
- Collaborative, firm but fair leadership style