Job Description

Commercial Manager

Department: Infrastructure

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: G&T London

Why G&T?

Gardiner & Theobald is an independent construction and property consultancy committed to providing world class service to our clients. Our dedicated team of over 1,300 people delivers Cost Management, Project Management and Specialist Consultancy services from a network of UK and US offices bound by a common purpose - to build a better tomorrow. We define our success by the value we create for our clients, the fulfilling careers we build for our people and our contribution to the communities we work in. Our own long-term business performance aligns profit with purpose, taking social and environmental responsibility for our actions and the legacy we leave behind. People are central to our mission. Rewarding individuals based on their unique abilities, talent and hard work, we believe in the quality of experiences and investing in a collaborative culture where all can thrive.

About the Role

We are currently looking for a Commercial Manager to support with the growth of the business and the continued delivery of world class service to our diverse client base.

Our Cost and Commercial Management teams work across a variety of sectors, offering you the chance to work on a wide variety of interesting and stimulating projects with no sector boundaries while our focus on training and development creates the perfect environment in which to progress your career.

Working within a dedicated and dynamic cost team and reporting directly into senior leadership team, this is an exciting opportunity to work on high profile projects across the infrastructure sector, with a focus on the Energy sector.

The ideal candidate will have experience in leading large scale infrastructure projects with a proven track record in dealing with commercial project requirements, stakeholder interfaces and will be someone who thrives on challenges in a client facing role. They will be both eager to learn and develop whilst also helping to drive forward our position as an industry leader.

Your attention to detail, analytical skills and ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with various levels of stakeholders will be paramount to your success in the role and the overall success of the projects.

As a Commercial Manager, you will support the Leadership Team in the performance of their duties, to oversee and discharge the monthly reporting obligations, and issue contract administration and act independently in the interest of the project. In addition to be responsible for performing the agreed deliverables, to supervise risk, and ensure Change Control Procedures are in place for approval and instruction issued as directed.

The key responsibilities of the Commercial Manager role will include but not be limited to the support and assist the Leadership Team in the following areas:

Contract Management

• Demonstrable experience administering and managing contracts under NEC forms of contract.
• Form a strong working relationship with the client Leadership Team whereby good cost advice is afforded for any project related issue.
• Manage the issuance of contractual correspondence in a timely manner within the agreed governance parameters.
• Preparing and recommending payment notices and / or pay less notices.
• Evaluating (time and / or cost) change control procedures (variations, claims, force majeure events, etc.)
• Leading the participation in dispute avoidance (negotiation) and / or resolution (adjudication, etc.)
• Implementing / maintaining a robust system for the provision of all contractual-based records.

Cost Management

• Advising on cost-related matters in keeping with the client’s reporting procedures.
• Preparing and maintaining the CBS and WBS and supervising / updating any Changes to the Agreed Baseline Programme.
• Adhering to the management and administration of project-related change.
• Advising on the validity of potential Change Order costs and agreeing these as the work proceeds.
• Inputting into the assessment of earned value metrics (CPI and SPI)
• Preparation and issuance of project and contract-based cost forecasts, liabilities and accruals.
• Implementing / maintaining a robust system for the provision of all cost-based records.
• Assessing the validity of any Contractor claims both in terms of entitlement and quantum.

Estimating

• Providing estimating advice and support to the client in keeping with best industry practice.
• Preparing of and / or assuring estimates and / or cost plans.
• Drafting unambiguous assumptions and exclusions associated with individual estimates.
• Supervision of the measuring and quantifying scope from drawings and specifications.
• Undertaking value engineering exercises with the wider project team.
• Advising on benchmarks and qualifying the same as required.

Planning & Reporting

• Supervising and issuance of all programme-related correspondence to protect the project interests.
• Reporting periodically on all commercial-based KPI’s or SLA’s in an accurate and robust manner.
• Ensuring commercial matters are managed within agreed governance parameters.
• Inputting into the assessment of earned value metrics (CPI and SPI) and input into monthly dashboards.
• Advising on the commercial implications of potential time-based mitigation measures.
• Implementing / maintaining a robust system for the provision of all planning-based records.
• An understanding of project governance frameworks, assurance processes and reporting requirements, including the ability to operate effectively within structured client governance arrangements.

Procurement & Tendering

• Advising on regulated and unregulated tender events in keeping with best industry practice.
• Ensure Non-Disclosure Agreements are concluded and any amendments are agreed with client and G&T legal team.
• Agreeing the Tender Evaluation technical /commercial weighting and scoring matrix with the client prior issuance of ITT.
• Preparing procurement and contract strategies to satisfy the client’s requirements.
• Issuing robust but concise commercial-related elements of tender documentation.
• Leading the Management of tender clarifications and queries in tandem with the wider project team.
• Leading the evaluation of tender returns in compliance with the predetermined evaluation criteria.
• Issuance of periodic tender reports, from ITT, Tender Returns and qualifications and Final Recommendation Report.
• Preparing Contract Award Documentation whilst minimising the risk of challenge by unsuccessful tenderers.

Risk Management

• Identifying the top 10 risks on the project and their potential cost and time impact (periodic updates)
• Providing risk-related advice and support to the client in keeping with best industry practice
• Liaising with the wider project team to support the risk management process.
• Reviewing of commercial elements of risk registers at regular intervals.
• Measuring and quantifying risks in keeping with project-related requirements.
• Leading the managing and administering contractual risk workshops recording acceptance / mitigation measures and implementing Change Control procedures as applicable after client approval.
• Implementing / maintaining a robust system for the provision of all risk-based records.

Location: Please note that this role will be centered in the London office but travel to client offices will be required with an anticipated 3 days a week at either client offices or site, subject to client requirements. Client sites may be located across the UK.

About You

• Degree qualified, ideally within a construction related discipline.
• MRICS accreditation is preferred, but not essential. We will support the training programme required to gain your further professional qualification.
• Experience in leading large scale infrastructure projects, ideally within the energy and utility sector.
• Possess both pre and post contract experience.
• Experience of working under construction contract terms and conditions, preferably NEC or similar. Practical experience on infrastructure projects, Enabling Works for large scale projects would be an advantage.
• Have previous experience within a consultancy environment
• A proven ability to work on own initiative to meet project deliverables
• A strategic thinker with an ability of broad problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in a client focused environment with a personal commitment to the delivery of excellent client service.
• Possess a positive attitude with a willingness to get involved in business wide initiatives.
• Be proficient in Microsoft platforms, especially Excel, Word, Powerproject and EDMS systems etc
• Ability to perform as a team player working closely with internal teams, the client, and other project team players to ensure effective communication and coordination.
• Possess a driven mindset to manage facilitate timely issuance of reports and other deliverables.
• Experience with CostX or similar quantification platforms.

About Us

Collaboration, innovation, and support are at the core of everything we do. As an Associate, you will be joining a diverse team led by one of G&T’s equity partners and a board member. Our partner-led model allows us to adopt bespoke approaches both in the service we offer to clients and in the development opportunities we offer our people. Within your team you will be given clear direction and positive encouragement at every turn, whilst our commitment to your career development and lifelong learning programmes ensures you have the support, as well as the tools to thrive. Forward thinking and future focused, we champion social mobility, ethical governance, equality and diversity, creating an inclusive environment where everyone’s unique talents and experiences are valued. Our ESG goals are at the forefront of our business plan, and we are proud to have created social value worth over £19m+ since 2021. Our initiatives include the G&T ESG Committee, dedicated to increasing opportunities and removing barriers for social mobility and equality within the firm, as well as our Next Gen programme which focuses on nurturing the next generation in the industry. Our commitment to realising a more sustainable future is witnessed not only through helping our clients meet their own next zero carbon aspirations but also by reaching our own, with an aim for our firm to be net zero by 2030.