Commercial Manager

Lanes Group is a leading nationwide utility services provider with c.5000 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £650 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders. Join us to be part of a dynamic and growing team that values diversity and fosters professional growth.

Department:

Sapphire Utility Solutions, a Lanes Group Company specialise in multiple divisions.

Commercial works closely with operational, delivery, and support teams across the business, providing commercial oversight, contract management, financial control, and strategic guidance to ensure projects are delivered efficiently, profitably, and in line with contractual obligations.

The team is responsible for protecting and enhancing business value through effective cost management, risk mitigation, procurement support, and stakeholder engagement. By driving commercial best practice and informed decision-making, they help maximise project performance, support sustainable growth, and ensure the business delivers outstanding outcomes for customers and partners.

Purpose of the role:

The Commercial Manager will lead the day-to-day commercial management of the United Utilities frameworks, taking ownership of commercial performance, contract administration and the development of the commercial team.

Reporting to the Head of Commercial, the role will ensure accurate and timely reporting, effective cost control, protection of contractual entitlement and proactive management of commercial risks and opportunities.

The role will be the principal commercial contact for routine matters, resolving issues within delegated authority and escalating significant matters with clear recommendations. By providing effective day-to-day leadership, the Commercial Manager will support the Head of Commercial in delivering wider business strategy, growth and preparation for the next AMP tender.

Key Responsibilities:

Commercial Performance and Financial Control

• Take ownership of Core revenue, costs, margin, work in progress and cash performance.
• Lead regular Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) reviews, ensuring reported positions are accurate, supported and understood by commercial and operational teams.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts, explaining variances and agreeing actions to address underperformance.
• Oversee applications for payment, valuations, invoicing and final accounts, ensuring income is accurately assessed and recovered promptly.
• Identify revenue leakage, unrecovered costs and opportunities to improve productivity and profitability.

Reporting and Governance

• Deliver accurate, timely monthly reporting and respond to additional senior leadership and executive information requests.
• Provide clear commentary on performance, emerging trends, risks, opportunities and corrective actions.
• Maintain effective commercial controls, approval processes and audit trails in line with company requirements.
• Work with Finance to reconcile commercial and financial reporting, resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Improve reporting processes and data quality to support consistent, reliable business information.

Contract and Risk Management

• Manage the administration of the United Utilities framework and associated contractual arrangements.
• Ensure contractual notices, changes, claims and other submissions are issued accurately and within required timescales.
• Lead commercial negotiations within delegated authority, maintaining evidence to support entitlement and agreed positions.
• Maintain an up-to-date assessment of commercial risks and opportunities, with clear ownership and mitigation actions.
• Resolve commercial issues proactively and escalate significant exposures or disputes to the Head of Commercial with recommended actions.

Client and Operational Relationships

• Act as the principal day-to-day commercial contact for United Utilities, leading routine commercial meetings, negotiations and account reviews.
• Build constructive client relationships while protecting the company’s commercial position.
• Work with operational leaders to understand delivery pressures, challenge performance and agree practical improvements.
• Ensure operational teams understand the commercial implications of delivery decisions and their contractual responsibilities.
• Coordinate input from Finance, Procurement and other functions to resolve issues and meet contractual commitments.

Supply Chain and Subcontract Management

• Oversee subcontract procurement, ensuring appropriate scope, pricing, terms and approvals are in place before work begins.
• Manage subcontract valuations, changes, payments and final accounts in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Review supply chain costs and performance with Operations and Procurement, addressing commercial risks and opportunities.
• Ensure subcontract commitments and liabilities are accurately reflected in forecasts and CVRs.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and manage the commercial team, setting clear responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations.
• Allocate resources to meet operational demands, reporting deadlines and client requirements.
• Coach and develop team members, strengthening commercial judgement, contractual knowledge and client-facing capability.
• Address performance issues promptly and support development and succession planning.
• Promote accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement across the team.

Key Requirements:

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Commercial Manager, with responsibility for commercial performance and team leadership.
• Experience mnaging substantial contracts or frameworks within utilities, infrastructure, civil engineering or a comparable environment.
• Strong contract administration skills, including experience interpreting and managing bespoke contractual arrangements.
• Working knowledge of NEC contracts and their commercial principles.
• Demonstrable experience managing CVRs, budgets, forecasts, work in progress and cash recovery.
• Experience preparing clear management reports and responding to senior stakeholder information requests.
• Strong negotiation skills, including the management of contractual change, claims and commercial disputes.
• Ability to lead client discussions, constructively challenge stakeholders and make sound commercial decisions.
• Strong people management skills, with experience developing and holding teams accountable.
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and deliver accurate work within deadlines.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.

Desirable

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Experience within the water industry and long-term utility frameworks.
• Experience of target cost, cost-reimbursable and schedule-of-rates pricing arrangements.
• Knowledge of contract management systems.
• Experience supporting tender preparation, pricing reviews or framework renewals.
• Evidence of delivering commercial process improvements.

Living the Company Values

By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with our purpose of ‘improving today for a better tomorrow’.

Each role and value has an alignment to set proficiency levels and expectations; this role holder is expected to:

• Leading: Acts as a role model, shaping the learning agenda and influencing change.
• Agile: Anticipates learning needs, adjusts quickly to changing operational contexts.
• Nurturing: Supports the development of others through coaching and structured development plans.
• Engaging: Inspires and motivates learners, builds trust and credibility
• Safe & Secure: Ensures all learning is aligned to safety and compliance standards.

Your Contribution to the company:

• Strive to be always positive and constructive
• Adhere to all company policies
• Straight talking about the facts of the situation – open discussions are the best way to find solutions
• Help others through communicating clearly
• Deliver on commitments
• Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues
• Deliver our Company Values understanding that by working together in unity we are ‘Stronger Together’

Equality, Diversion & Inclusion

At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.