Project Commercial Manager

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At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organisation makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it's about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR's Building Engineering Services Group, you'll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centres driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

About You

We are looking for a commercially astute, proactive and confident professional with strong interpersonal and leadership skills. You will be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment, able to influence at senior levels, and capable of managing commercial risk and opportunity across complex, multi-disciplinary projects. You will bring a collaborative mindset, sound judgement, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining focus on value, profitability and governance.

About the Role

To lead and manage the commercial performance of projects from bid through to close-out, ensuring robust commercial governance, effective risk and opportunity management, strong financial control, and delivery of agreed profit targets. The role is responsible for protecting the company's commercial position while supporting project teams and clients to achieve successful outcomes.

Responsibilities

Project Commercial Management

• Take overall responsibility for the commercial management of projects, from pre-contract through delivery to final account and close-out.
• Establish, manage and maintain project budgets, forecasts, cash flow and financial reporting in line with internal and client requirements.
• Monitor project performance against agreed commercial targets, identifying risks and opportunities and implementing mitigation or enhancement actions as required.
• Lead cost control, change control and commercial governance processes across assigned projects.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of commercial performance to Project Directors, Programme Directors and senior management.

Contract & Risk Management

• Support contract strategy development and provide commercial input during bid, tender and negotiation stages.
• Interpret and administer contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and protection of the company's commercial interests.
• Identify, assess and manage commercial and contractual risks, escalating issues at the earliest opportunity.
• Lead the management of variations, compensation events, claims and dispute avoidance or resolution strategies.
• Maintain clear and auditable commercial records in accordance with company procedures.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key commercial point of contact for clients, building strong, professional relationships based on transparency and trust.
• Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with clients, partners and supply chain members.
• Support Project Directors in client meetings by providing clear commercial advice and insight.
• Contribute to client satisfaction by ensuring fair, timely and professional commercial administration.

Financial & Cost Management

• Oversee fee management, invoicing, payment applications and debt management in coordination with finance teams.
• Ensure accurate forecasting of revenue, cost and margin throughout the project lifecycle.
• Review and approve project financial data, ensuring alignment with scope, programme and contractual arrangements.
• Support audits and reviews, ensuring compliance with internal financial controls and governance requirements.

Business Development & Work Winning

• Provide commercial input into bids, proposals and tenders, including pricing strategy, risk allowances and commercial qualifications.
• Support negotiations for new commissions, framework agreements and contract renewals.
• Contribute to post-project commercial reviews and lessons learned to inform future bids and improve profitability.
• Assist senior leadership in developing commercial strategies to support sustainable business growth.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Project Directors, Programme Managers and wider project teams to support successful project outcomes.
• Provide mentoring, guidance and support to junior commercial staff, contributing to capability development and succession planning.
• Promote a culture of accountability, ethical behaviour and continuous improvement within commercial management.
• Support the implementation and improvement of commercial processes, tools and best practice across the business.

General Dutie

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Support quality management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties aligned with the role, as agreed with senior management.

Requirement

• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Extensive experience, especially in commercial management of projects, ideally 10 years' industry experience.
• Experience of monitoring contract staff or third-party appointments would be desirable.
• Experience in the same or similar position is desired.
• Competency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• The ability to project a positive and professional attitude at all times.
• Educational qualifications to a degree level or equivalent are desired.
• Incorporated Status in chosen discipline preferred and ongoing pursuit of Chartered status and business qualifications if not already achieved.
• Personable and a 'can do' attitude with resource management experience.
• Able to establish rapport and good working relationships within the project team and Clients.
• Strong leadership and people management skills and experience.
• To be able to work as part as a team and collaboratively and co-operatively

Qualifications

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.