Commercial Manager

Morson Talent are working with a major player within the Energy Sector who have a current requirement for a Commercial Manager to join their established Project team in Bristol. All work is associated with Europe’s largest energy infrastructure Project under construction in Somerset.

Broad Scope:

• The Commercial Manager is an important role within the business Commercial Group with accountability to the Senior Commercial Manager for the successful commercial administration of one or more contracts. As such the Commercial Manager is empowered to make decisions around the Principal Accountability areas, under the overall guidance of the Senior Commercial Manager.
• The Commercial Manager will be the primary point of commercial contact on the contract/s assigned to them and will be required to work closely and pro-actively with the other stakeholders at all levels and across all the teams within the business to ensure that the requirements of the individual contracts and their impact upon the overall Project are successfully delivered.

Principal Accountabilities:

Procurement Phase:

• Providing support to the procurement process and Senior Commercial Manager during the contract creation phase (pre-award) including assessing the scope, duration and expected value of each of the Contracts against the Contract Authorised Sum (CAS) and defining the commercial requirements of a contract. Part of this will include participating in the Commercial Review of the technical and commercial requirements, ensuring that the specifications and commercial terms of the contract including Scope of Works, Required Services, Planning, Safety and Quality Standards etc. are aligned across the Project and ensuring that the commercial terms will allow effective contract administration.
• Interacting with other key stakeholders where applicable, such as the Procurement Officer, the Sub-Project Delivery Manager, the Originator, the Specifier, the Finance Officer, the Legal Officer, the Heads of Function, etc.
• Participating in ITT preparation, evaluation and negotiation, ensuring that selected tenders are compliant with the scope and commercial requirements.
• Providing support to the Senior Commercial Manager/Lead to ensure all internal governance approval is in place to enable timely Contract Award.

Execution Phase (post-award) Commercial Administration:

• The Commercial Manager is responsible for knowing the contract including fundamental matters such as: Scope of Work / Services and Associated Programme Prices and Rates Schedules Key Personnel and Arrangements for Contract Administration, incentive arrangement along with administration of commercial management tools including but not limited to CEMAR and SAP.
• Ensuring that all commercial activities are conducted throughout execution of the contract in accordance with business Commercial Procedures including:

• Participating in the contract kick-off meeting and organising the commercial section of the meeting.
• Managing Supplier / Contractor commercial relationships.
• Commercially Administering the contract including Notices and Instructions, Applications, Invoicing and Payment, Variations and Changes, Disputes and Claims, Delays, Extensions of Time, Force Majeure and Liquidated Damages, Bonds and Guarantees, Intellectual Property Rights, Termination, Progress Monitoring and Financial Reviews, Liabilities, Confidentiality Agreements, etc.
• Implementing progress and cost management, preparation of contract specific progress reports and reporting and participating in periodic contract reviews.
• Manage all commercial correspondence and contractual notices issued in accordance with the contract conditions and business Commercial Procedures.
• Ensuring the timely production and administration of payment applications and invoices.
• Leading contract commercial reviews and attending progress reviews where necessary.
• Recommend mitigating actions on all commercial risk / claim events at the earliest possible time.
• Maintaining contract commercial files and cost records.
• Implementing contract commercial / financial reporting and participating in periodic contract reviews.
• Participating in contractor performance management.
• Management of Insurance Claims.
• Leading commercial reviews of Contractors delivery and attending valuation, progress and risk reviews where necessary.

Closeout Phase:

• Managing contract commercial completion and closure and identification and recording of commercial lessons learnt.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Educated to relevant degree level is preferable.
• Progressing to full membership of the RICS / CICES / IOB / CIPS or equivalent professional body is essential.
• Able to demonstrate a noteworthy track record of administering successful contracts.
• Effective commercial / contract management skills are essential, with clear knowledge of best practice contract methodologies.
• Good commercial skills and ability to make sound decisions on matters of financial value.
• Understanding of contract performance measurement, risk management and change and claim management.
• Good negotiating, influencing and communication skills to command professional respect at all levels.
• Familiarity with most common Forms of Contract (NEC & FIDIC) within the power construction industry and major projects and programme environment with particular knowledge of UK Law and its impact upon the contract and commercial function is essential.
• Good understanding of the UK regulatory framework.