Job Description
Job Title:  Senior Commercial Manager
Job Location:  Golborne (WA3 3UB)
Country/Region:  United Kingdom

Murphy is recruiting for a Senior Commercial Manager  to work across Transportation. The role can be based from Golborne, Birmingham or London and will operate as a mobile role across the portfolio, reporting directly to the Business Unit Commercial Director.

 

With a proud history dating back to the 1960s, we provide practical, innovative results, working around the individual needs of our customers. Rail renewals to enhancements, bridge building, highways, ports and emergency earthworks – our award-winning team has extensive experience and has been involved in projects that have changed the face of transport networks in three countries.

We dedicate ourselves to being ‘better engineered’ to ensure our transportation infrastructure solutions meet and exceed customer requirements, delivering value for money through innovation.

 

A senior commercial leadership opportunity with delegated accountability across our circa £100m Frameworks & Diversification portfolio, working directly with the Commercial Director across major frameworks, projects and emerging opportunities.You’ll shape the portfolio’s commercial performance, leading P&L, cash, margin, risk and opportunity while developing high-performing commercial teams and helping drive future growth


A day in the life of a Murphy Senior Commercial Manager

  • Lead the commercial performance of a circa £100m portfolio, spanning major frameworks, projects and new opportunities, with genuine accountability for delivering results.
  • Operate as a trusted senior partner to the Commercial Director, taking delegated ownership, making key commercial decisions and helping shape the direction and growth of the portfolio.
  • Own the commercial health of the portfolio, driving P&L, cash, margin, forecasting, risk and opportunity while turning insight into action.
  • Lead and develop a high performing commercial team, empowering Commercial Managers and senior commercial professionals to take ownership, perform at their best and build capability for the future.
  • Build influential relationships with senior clients and stakeholders, leading key negotiations, strengthening strategic partnerships and helping convert opportunities into sustainable growth
  • Manage all commercial aspects of the Operational Unit and maintain regular liaison with all stakeholders.Build a high performing team, while continually improving
  • Monthly project reviews to analyse the business unit performance and take appropriate action.
  • Attend the required reviews with the Executive Team to explain the business current and planned performance.
  • Ensure the implementation of a commercial strategy for the operating unit including tenders.
  • Maintain a schedule of Client engagement events for equivalent level customer feedback, alignment and future pipeline of work.
  • In conjunction with the Operations Director, set the annual business plan, and create the strategy to achieve the elements therein.
  • Active management of the work winning process, allocation of resource to commercial elements, liaison with the Regional pre-contract commercial resource.
  • To lead on the development and training of Commercial Practitioners including supervisor / mentor / counsellor role for staff undertaking their APC or equivalent.
  • Maximising of cash position, including WIP control, cash flow production & improvement plans for all projects..
  • To be responsible in conjunction with the Operational Director and Estimating Manager to ensure that a review of all of the contractual obligations and commercial risks is carried out prior to the submission of all tenders within the BU and attend tender settlement meetings as required.
  • Manage project controls including value, cost, production and supply chai 
  • To ensure effective negotiations with prospective clients are carried out prior to signing contracts to minimise risk
  • Carry out commercial audits on other BU’s as and when required.
  • Functional leadership, bringing best practice into the business, involvement in Business Improvement Initiative

 

Still interested does this sound like you?

  • A proven senior commercial leader with experience of successfully managing multi project, framework or portfolio level commercial performance within the construction or infrastructure sector.
  • Demonstrable experience of leading Commercial Managers and senior commercial professionals, creating accountability through others rather than directly managing every commercial detail.
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience overseeing P&L, cash, WIP, margin, forecasting, risk and opportunity across a substantial portfolio.
  • The gravitas and judgement to operate with delegated authority, working directly with senior business leaders and confidently making commercial decisions across multiple contracts and projects.
  • A strategic mindset with the ability to identify themes, risks and opportunities across a portfolio, while knowing when to challenge or intervene at individual project level.
  • Strong senior client and stakeholder capability, with experience of commercial negotiation, conflict avoidance and building long-term strategic relationships.
  • Proven experience contributing to work winning, tender strategy, commercial governance and pre-contract risk, connecting new opportunities with operational delivery.
  • A strong people leader with a track record of developing commercial capability, succession and high-performing teams across multiple locations or projects.
  • Excellent working knowledge of construction contracts and commercial risk, with the technical credibility to challenge and support project commercial teams when required.
  • Degree qualified or equivalent relevant commercial experience, ideally with MRICS or equivalent professional accreditation, and comfortable operating in a mobile role across the portfolio. 

 

What’s in it for you?

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays with the option to buy an additional 2 days holiday each year, holidays increase with length of service
  • Discretionary annual bonus and annual salary review
  • Above market rate contributory pension scheme
  • Life assurance, health screening and enhanced sick pay
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay and a maternity returners bonus
  • Extra weeks holiday for all employees getting married and a wedding bonus
  • Subsidised canteen facilities in core locations
  • Dedicated and continued investment in your professional development
  • Other Murphy benefits include retail discounts and cashback, discounted gym memberships, cycle to work scheme etc

 

About Murphy

Murphy is formally recognised as a sector leading employer, Platinum Investors In People accredited along with reported operating profit up 57% on prior year. At Murphy, we are incredibly proud of our diverse workforce. Not only do our people represent over 60 different nationalities, but they also represent a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. With a forward order book of £5.4bn and £23m Invested in environmentally friendly plant in 2024 there really is #MoretoMurphy

If you are unable to apply via the usual process, please call Lorna Rhodes on 07801 960464  to discuss in more detail.  

 

Murphy is unable to employ anyone who does not have the legal right to live and work in the UK