Principal Commercial Manager
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Location:
Reading, with free onsite parking.
Package: £63,270 to £95,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Ready to play your part?
At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Our work underpins national safety and security.
Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?
The role
As a Principal Commercial Manager, you will operate as the client side commercial authority for large, complex infrastructure contracts, playing a critical role in enabling safe, assured and value for money delivery. Providing commercial and contract performance leadership to the project team to enable effective management of project and commercial risk.
This is a senior commercial management role, requiring sound judgement, confidence operating in ambiguity, and the ability to lead others through complex commercial challenges. You will be trusted to take decisions, manage risk proportionately, and provide clear direction in high stakes environments.
You will lead strategic planning and governance. Manage, develop and mentor a team that administer the contracts, and get involved in contract disputes. You will support the procurement team, advising on contract options management, working with tier 1 Suppliers and managing KPI reviews / planning. Integration and cross functional relationship management is key.
What you will do
Act as Client Commercial Manager for large, complex infrastructure contracts across their full lifecycle ensuring they deliver value for money and achieve the objectives
Provide commercial management leadership, ensuring risk, change and performance are managed effectively and proportionately
Lead a team that manages supplier payments and analysis of contract and subcontract agreements
Set and maintain contract governance, reporting, assurance and standards, aligned to organisational objectives
Lead engagement with Tier 1 suppliers, including the management of complex issues and disputes
Influence and advise senior internal stakeholders, bringing clarity to complex commercial decisions
Lead, develop and mentor commercial management professionals, building capability and confidence across teams
Draft, review and negotiate complex contractual arrangements
Support the wider business through shared learning for continuous improvement
Support the organisation with future business planning of capital spend
This role is focused on commercial management and client side leadership, working alongside procurement colleagues where required.
What success looks like in this role
We are looking for people who can consistently demonstrate the following:
Making effective decisions
Exercises strong commercial judgement in complex, uncertain and high‑risk situations
Balances assurance, risk and pace to support delivery rather than defaulting to process
Takes ownership of decisions and is comfortable being accountable for outcomes
Seeing the big picture
Understands how individual contracts contribute to wider programme and organisational objectives
Anticipates future risks and issues rather than reacting when they crystallise
Thinks strategically about contract structure, incentives and behaviours, not just compliance
Communicating and influencing
Influences senior stakeholders and suppliers with credibility and confidence
Explains complex contractual issues clearly, pragmatically and without unnecessary jargon
Handles challenge, disagreement and dispute constructively and professionally
Leadership
Sets clear expectations and standards for commercial management practice
Develops others through coaching, mentoring and role modelling good judgement
Creates a culture of trust, accountability and continuous improvement
Experience we are looking for
We are interested in what you have done and how you operate, not just your formal…
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