About us

VolkerRail is an established and experienced railway infrastructure contractor. We have a successful track record of delivering projects across the whole of the UK; working with Network Rail, London Underground as well as light rail and tram operating companies to enhance the national infrastructure.

As one of the UKs oldest railway contractors, with a history dating back over 80 years, we are passionate about the preservation and development of the railways. Our years of experience and continued company growth have earned us a reputation within the industry for high performance and innovation, and as a company focussed on timely and efficient delivery.

The Role

An opportunity has arisen for a Commercial Manager (Tranche 24) to join the Rail Electrification Alliance (REAL Alliance).

REAL is a formal contractual alliance between six collaborative and integrated organisations: Jacobs, J Murphy, Network Rail, Siemens, SYSTRA, and VolkerRail. We work in partnership, with shared goals and incentives, and aim to have an open culture based on trust.

REAL has been created to deliver two key projects - power supply upgrade of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from London Kings Cross to Bawtry under PSU1 and the power supply upgrade from Bawtry to Portobello under PSU2.

At REAL, we aim to create a high performing collaborative culture engaging our skills, experience, expertise and energy to provide first class solutions to our customers.

The Commercial Manager role is responsible for the overall management of the commercial requirements for Tranche 24, communicating and ensuring compliance with the REAL governance plan and associated programme requirements.

The role is appointed by the Alliance Commercial Leads with agreement of the Alliance Partners. Within the Alliance, you'll have ownership of a range of ongoing key responsibilities and may have a number of flexible and evolving project responsibilities as the Alliance develops.

The Alliance Commercial organisation and its interface with the Engineering Management, Design Management and Construction teams will be fully illustrated in the Alliance organisation chart.

Key accountabilities

• Ensure that appropriate alliancing behaviours and 'best for project' approaches are adopted at all times, leading by example in the pursuit of successful delivery of the Programme to the benefit of all Alliance Members.
• Deploy robust Commercial support for Tranche 24 of the PSU Programme.
• Ensure all the associated commercial administration and the contract's agreements are adhered to by all Alliance Members, including but not limited to management of change, administration of payment and risk management.
• Confirm that appropriate contractual and financial authority/instructions are in place for all aspects of Tranche 24.
• Responsible for the management of the Commercial Team supporting Tranche 24 and ensure a consistent approach.
• Continuously monitor, review, and improve the commercial control strategies and procedures in the interests of Tranche 24.
• Establish appropriate control and audit regimes to achieve adherence to the REAL Governance Plan within own area of expertise.
• Review and update PSU Governance Plan as may be required from time to time to align with changes in contractual arrangements, redefined requirements and lessons learned recommendations.
• Ensure all periodic Alliance reporting requirements are fulfilled and provide assurance to the as to the accuracy of the reporting outputs.
• Contribute to the Alliance safety leadership in achieving zero harm, in conjunction with the Network Rail Everyone Home Safe Everyday safety vision, within a fair culture environment of learning and continuous improvement.
• Promote and support the wellbeing of both self and staff through maintenance of healthy work/life balance, taking care to manage energy levels of self and staff and taking recovery after peak periods of workload activity.
• Supporting charitable away days, volunteering and (where relevant) flexible working.
• Alliance line management responsibility.

Skill & Experience

You will ideally have the following experience and qualities:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Professional qualification and membership of appropriate institution (Desirable).
• Knowledge and experience of differing forms of railway and construction industry procurement and contract terms and conditions.
• Demonstrate experience of resolution of construction contract disputes and robust post contract management.
• Confidence and ability to assert influence.
• Computer literate and working knowledge in Microsoft office applications.
• Experience of working with multiple major stakeholders.
• Proactive management style.

VolkerRail Group offers a competitive salary and attractive benefits.