Commercial Manager; Welsh Water

Lanes Group plc 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.

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.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Commercial Manager to lead commercial performance across a portfolio of projects, contracts or frameworks.

The Commercial Manager will be responsible for ensuring robust commercial governance, maximising profitability, protecting contractual entitlement and managing commercial risk. Working closely with operational teams, clients and senior stakeholders, the role will support the successful delivery of projects while driving commercial best practice, financial performance and continuous improvement.

The Commercial Manager will provide commercial leadership across the Welsh Water portfolio, ensuring strong financial performance and effective contract management. Working collaboratively with clients, operational teams and key stakeholders, the role will drive commercial best practice, maximise contractual entitlement and support the achievement of strategic business objective.

• Commercial Leadership and Governance:
  Lead commercial activities across allocated contracts, projects or frameworks.
• Commercial Performance and Cost Control:
  Drive commercial performance, cost control, margin protection and cash recovery.
• Commercial Governance, Controls and Reporting:
  Ensure robust commercial governance, controls and reporting processes are maintained.
• CVR Reviews:
  Lead CVR reviews and provide accurate reporting on costs, revenue, risks and opportunities.
• Business Planning:
  Support business planning, forecasting and budgeting activities.
• Operational Efficiency:
  Identify opportunities to improve commercial performance and operational efficiency.
• Commercial Awareness:
  Promote commercial awareness and accountability across project teams.

• Contract and
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Manage the administration and interpretation of contracts, ensuring contractual compliance and entitlement protection.
• Change Control:
  Oversee change control, variations, Compensation Events and commercial negotiations.
• Risk & Opportunities:
  Ensure contractual risks and opportunities are identified, managed and reported.
• Record Keeping:
  Maintain accurate contractual records and supporting evidence.
• Dispute Avoidance:
  Support dispute avoidance and resolution through proactive contract management.
• Operational Understanding:
  Ensure commercial processes are understood and followed by operational teams.

• Financial Management & Reporting:
  Manage project cost, value, margin and cash performance.
• Payment & Invoicing:
  Oversee applications for payment, invoicing and revenue recognition activities.
• Work in Progress:
  Manage Work in Progress and support accurate forecasting and reporting.
• Financial Performance Monitoring:
  Monitor financial performance against budget and target margins.
• Commercial Analysis:
  Provide commercial analysis and recommendations to support business decisions.
• Audit & Compliance:
  Support audit readiness and commercial compliance requirements.

• Client and Stakeholder Management:
  Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Commercial Discussions:
  Lead commercial discussions, negotiations and performance reviews.
• Advice & Support:
  Provide commercial advice and support to operational and senior leadership teams.
• Collaboration:
  
  Work collaboratively with Finance, Procurement, Operations and Delivery functions.
• Influence:
  Influence stakeholders to achieve positive commercial outcomes and business objectives.

• Supply Chain & Subcontract Management:
  Manage subcontractor procurement, valuation and final account processes.
• Subcontract Agreements:
  Ensure subcontract agreements are commercially robust and appropriately administered.
• Subcontractor Performance:
  Monitor subcontractor performance and commercial compliance.
• Supply Chain Improvements:
  Support supply chain…