Commercial Manager - Rail

This permanent Commercial Manager – Rail role is based in Leeds with Zinc Consult, a UK project management and commercial services firm working across rail, highways, energy and wider infrastructure. You will lead the commercial management of a package of work on one of the largest rail investment programmes in the UK, protecting value, managing change and keeping contractual positions robust as the programme moves through delivery. Responsibilities include cost forecasting, cash flow, cost value reconciliation (CVR) and reporting to senior stakeholders, alongside administering contracts under NEC3/NEC4, including compensation events, early warnings, programme and payment mechanisms.

ABOUT ZINC CONSULT
Zinc Consult is a UK project management and commercial services firm working across rail, highways, energy and wider infrastructure. We support contractors, clients, consultancies and operating companies from pre-contract through to post-contract, with services including estimating, procurement, risk management, quantity surveying, commercial and contract management, change and claims. With offices in Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow and Tees Valley, we are a trusted partner to major UK rail businesses and put bespoke, experienced people on every project.

THE OPPORTUNITY
We are recruiting a permanent Commercial Manager to on one of the largest rail investment programmes in the UK. You will lead the commercial management of a package of work, protecting value, managing change and keeping contractual positions robust as the programme moves through delivery.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead commercial management of your package, including cost forecasting, cash flow, cost value reconciliation (CVR) and reporting to senior stakeholders
- Administer contracts under NEC3/NEC4, including compensation events, early warnings, programme and payment mechanisms
- Prepare, negotiate and agree variations, claims and final accounts
- Manage subcontract and supply chain procurement, tender evaluation and commercial settlements
- Identify and manage commercial risks and opportunities
- Provide commercial advice to the delivery team at key decision points
- Build strong working relationships with Network Rail, designers, delivery partners and the wider TRU team
- Lead, coach and develop Quantity Surveyors and Assistant Commercial Managers where required
- Work in line with Network Rail standards, governance and assurance requirements

ABOUT YOU
Essential:
- Proven experience as a Commercial Manager (or Senior QS / Commercial Lead) on rail or major infrastructure projects
- Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts, ideally NEC4 (ECC)
- Experience of managing change, compensation events and claims through to agreement
- Confident forecasting, budget and CVR skills
- Right to work in the UK and able to travel across the TRU route

Desirable:
- Direct experience on Network Rail projects or alliances
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management or similar, or MRICS / working towards chartership
- Experience of the PDRM / GRIP process
- Experience of leading a commercial team

WHAT WE OFFER
- A permanent role on a nationally significant rail programme
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Career development with a growing rail consultancy
- Leeds-based with hybrid flexibility

Zinc Consult is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Network Rail pre-employment checks may apply.