Senior Commercial Manager

UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) | STEP Programme | West Burton, Nottinghamshire

Help shape the commercial strategy behind one of the most ambitious engineering programmes in the world.

Fusion energy has the potential to transform how the world is powered. The STEP Programme has been established to deliver that ambition, bringing together leading scientific, engineering and commercial expertise to solve one of the most complex challenges of our time.

As UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) continues to grow, Senior Commercial Managers will play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial strategy, governance and delivery model that underpins the programme's success.

This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage, lead major commercial activity across complex programmes, and help build the commercial foundations that will support the delivery of the world's first prototype fusion power plant.
The RoleSenior Commercial Managers act as commercial leaders within the STEP Programme, providing strategic direction across major engineering, infrastructure and construction work streams.

Operating as the senior commercial interface to Integrated Project Teams and programme leadership, you'll lead commercial teams, influence key decision-making and provide expert commercial leadership across the full project life cycle.

Working alongside senior programme, finance, legal, procurement and technical specialists, you'll be responsible for ensuring commercial strategy, procurement activity, contract management and cost control support the successful delivery of programme objectives.

You'll operate across both pre- and post-contract activities, overseeing high-value and strategically important contracts while providing leadership, assurance and governance across a portfolio of complex commercial arrangements.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leading commercial strategy across major programme delivery portfolios
• Managing high-value engineering, construction and infrastructure contracts
• Providing commercial leadership within Integrated Project Teams
• Contract negotiation, commercial governance and assurance
• Cost management, forecasting and commercial control
• Risk, change, claims and dispute management
• Supplier performance, contract compliance and strategic relationship management
• Leading commercial teams and developing commercial capability
• Supporting senior leadership with commercial decision-making and strategic advice
• Representing UKFE with key delivery partners, suppliers and government stakeholders

About You

We're interested in commercially astute leaders who thrive in complex environments, can influence at senior level and enjoy solving challenging commercial problems.

You'll be comfortable operating autonomously, managing competing priorities and providing clear commercial leadership across large-scale programmes.

You'll ideally bring:

• Significant senior commercial, procurement or quantity surveying experience within major engineering, infrastructure, construction or regulated environments
• Experience managing high-value, high-risk contracts throughout the project life cycle
• Strong knowledge of NEC contracts and complex commercial arrangements
• Expertise in cost management, commercial assurance and governance
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Experience leading commercial teams and developing others
• The ability to operate confidently within complex, multidisciplinary programme environments
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience
• MCIPS, MRICS or progress towards professional qualification

Experience from sectors such as energy, nuclear, defence, transport, major infrastructure, utilities, engineering or other large capital delivery programmes would be particularly relevant.

Why Join UKFE?

There are very few opportunities where your work can genuinely influence the success of a programme designed to change the future of global energy.

At UKFE, you'll join a growing organisation at a critical stage of its development. Your contribution will be visible, your decisions will have significant impact, and you'll work alongside some of the country's leading technical, scientific and commercial professionals.

You'll help shape how commercial delivery is approached across the programme whilst contributing to a project with the potential to redefine energy generation for future generations.

Package

• £73,190 basic salary
• Additional £7,000 allowance for MCIPS or MRICS qualified professionals
• Corporate bonus scheme
• Outstanding defined benefit pension
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Minimum three days per week on-site during the first three months, with greater flexibility available thereafter
• Excellent long-term career development opportunities

Apply

If you're looking for a senior commercial leadership role where you can influence major decisions, lead complex programmes and contribute to one of the UK's most significant long-term projects, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Will Taylor at Hays in Lincoln for a confidential discussion.

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