Senior Commercial Manager

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UKIFS is seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to lead drafting, negotiation and management of high value contracts for STEP fusion programme, shaping contract strategy, procurement and ensuring milestones, budget and compliance. You will oversee a cross functional commercial team and partner with Whole Plant Partners to deliver outcomes across contract lifecycle in a dynamic regulated environment, based in West Burton, Nottinghamshire, with a salary £62,858. Essential: MCIPS or RICS, senior contract management experience in engineering or major infrastructure, NEC expertise, and leadership. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight NEC, complex negotiations and team leadership; quantify cost, schedule and risk; show alignment with UKIFS mission and BPSS readiness; apply via Careers site before closing date.

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd , a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype. 

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey. 

As an employee of UKIFS, you will benefit from: 

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert. 
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible). 
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment. 
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,  
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities 
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive 

 A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/  

The salary for this role is £62,858

This permanent position is to be based in West Burton, Nottinghamshire. 

For more information on UKIFS, visit: https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdf 

Job Description

The Role  

As a Senior Commercial Manager, you will be a key leader ensuring the effective procurement, execution, and management of high-value contracts. You will work at the heart of a world-class engineering programme, shaping contract strategy and enabling industry partnerships that will drive the realisation of fusion energy.

Contract Strategy & Delivery

• Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex contracts, including supply, engineering, and service agreements.
• Ensure contract terms align with programme goals, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Drive a collaborative approach to contract management, ensuring fair and productive relationships with Whole Plant Partners.
• Provide expert risk assessment and mitigation strategies for contractual obligations.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are achieved on time and within budget.
• Develop and maintain robust tracking and reporting systems to monitor contract performance.
• Lead the resolution of contract disputes, working closely with legal, technical, and sourcing teams.
• Maintain compliance with all commercial, legal, and regulatory frameworks.

Team Leadership & Development

• Oversee and develop a cross-functional commercial team, including UKIFS employees and Whole Plant Partner representatives.
• Stay ahead of industry advancements in fusion energy and apply insights to optimise contract strategies.
• Promote a collaborative and high-performance culture, ensuring seamless integration across teams.
• Mentor and coach team members, providing guidance on complex contract management issues.
• Lead on continuous improvement initiatives to enhance commercial processes and supplier performance.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and ensure contract compliance across all stakeholders.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary contact for all contract-related matters within your IPT.
• Work closely with technical and commercial teams to drive contract performance.
• Provide training and support to internal teams on best practices in contract management.
• Act as a cultural ambassador, ensuring UKIFS values are reflected in all partnerships and negotiations.

The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities and you may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks or duties requested.

Qualifications

We are looking for a seasoned contract management professional with a track record of success in complex, high-value engineering projects.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• MCIPS or RICS Qualification (or equivalent).
• Proven experience in senior contract management, ideally in engineering, or major infrastructure projects.
• Strong expertise in NEC contracts, procurement strategies, and commercial frameworks.
• Experience leading small to medium-sized commercial teams and delivering strategic outcomes.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a highly regulated environment, ensuring strict compliance.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience working cross-functionally.
• Strategic mindset with a focus on long-term collaborative partnerships.
• Adaptability to work in a fast-paced, evolving programme.

Desirable Experience:

• Accredited Government Commercial Practitioner (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience managing Joint Ventures or Consortia Contracts.
• Public sector knowledge, including experience working with government regulations and policies.
• Track record of implementing commercial transformation initiatives.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. 

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.  

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.  Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future.  If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.  

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.  We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment, to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.