Commercial Manager - Groundworks

Job Title: Commercial Manager (Groundworks)
Job Type: Permanent
Job :
Location: Norwich (with sites across East Anglia)
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: c 85k- 90k basic plus competitive package including car allowance, healthcare, pension, market leading holiday and structured performance bonus

Company & Project: A successful Main Contractor with decades of experience in East Anglia is looking to add a new Commercial Manager to lead a specialist groundworks division and lead a growing part of their business.

With a busy pipeline of work across East Anglia, they are looking to expand their team due to new projects secured and a healthy tender pipeline.

The business works across the Higher Education, Mixed-Use, Commercial and Healthcare sectors.

The successful candidate will join the business specifically in the commercial leadership function of their groundworks team, managing projects from early tender stages and pre‑construction through to practical completion.

With a clear structure and programme in place, this role offers a great opportunity for a commercial professional looking to lead and drive divisional growth.

• Oversee the overall commercial performance and financial health of the groundworks division, managing overhead budgets while proactively identifying project risks and opportunities.

• Ensure effective and equitable contract administration across multiple concurrent main contracts and subcontracts.

• Lead subcontract and material procurement strategy to optimise margins against tender allowances, including drafting and finalising contractual terms.

• Produce and submit client valuations and variation accounts, managing external claims to secure all contractual entitlements for the division.

• Administer subcontract accounts by evaluating payment applications and issuing timely payment and pay‑less notices to protect business liability.

• Compile accurate Cost & Value Reconciliations (CVRs) and cashflow projections in line with monthly reporting cycles to support business‑wide forecasting.

• Act as a commercial advisor to the Groundworks Operations Manager, delivering strategic guidance to mitigate exposure and capitalise on profitable avenues.

• Oversee the tendering process for all groundworks bids, ensuring high‑quality submission packages are completed and delivered ahead of deadlines.

• Drive positive cash flow by managing outgoings, timing supplier payments strictly to terms, and expediting incoming client payments.

• Conduct thorough post‑award contract reviews to ensure agreed terms align fully with the original tender parameters.

• Mentor and develop junior commercial staff, including Trainees, Apprentices, and Assistants, providing the guidance needed to support their career progression.

• Uphold and champion company Health & Safety standards across all internal teams and external project partners.

• Proven experience as a Senior QS or Commercial Manager working for a Groundworks Sub‑Contractor or Main Contractor with Groundworks package management.
• Ambitious and confident professional looking to take on more leadership responsibility.
• Repeat experience managing groundworks packages or exclusively leading commercial operations for a groundworks specialist.
• Strong track record in full financial oversight, tendering, CVR management, and team mentorship.
• Previous Roles:
  Commercial Manager, Managing Quantity Surveyor, or Senior Quantity Surveyor.

Degree, MSc or HNC in Quantity Surveying or a comparable qualification.