Commercial Manager (Project)

Grimshaw is a place of ideas. For more than 40 years, we have created award-winning, people-centred architecture, and today more than 500 of us work across seven studios worldwide. Our studios are collaborative and democratic. We believe that the best outcomes come from bringing together people with different skills, backgrounds and ways of thinking.

We’re now looking for a Commercial Manager to join our London studio and lead the commercial management of a large, complex infrastructure project. You’ll protect the practice’s commercial position while giving our design teams the clarity and confidence they need to do their best work.

You’ll report to the Project Partner and work closely with the project design leadership. You’ll be their trusted commercial adviser, the person who spots risks early, explains them clearly and helps the team make good decisions.

What you’ll do

• Lead commercial strategy: set up and run the project’s commercial management plan, controls, reporting cycle and delegated authorities.
• Advise the leadership team: present clear options, explain their implications and recommend the best course of action.
• Own the numbers: keep a live view of profitability, cash flow, work in progress, forecast outturn and the fee and resource plan, and work with design leads to test their plans against scope and programme.
• Manage change: identify, price, negotiate and close changes, additional services and compensation events, and make sure out-of-scope work is properly instructed before it starts.
• Look after billing and cash: lead applications for payment and invoicing, and monitor certification, retentions and aged debt.
• Manage subconsultants: oversee the commercial side from procurement and appointment through to performance, payment and close-out.
• Keep risk and governance on track: own the commercial risk and opportunity register, and work with Legal, Finance and professional risk colleagues on liability, insurance and contractual matters.
• Develop people: you may line manage and support the development of our Project Finance Coordinator and Project Administrators.

What we’re looking for

Essential

• Experience of commercial management on large or complex projects in infrastructure, construction, engineering or professional services.
• A good understanding of appointments, fee management, forecasting, change control and managing subconsultants.
• Experience of working with complex contractual agreements
• Strong analytical and Excel skills, and the ability to turn data into clear, practical recommendations.
• The confidence to negotiate, influence and challenge constructively, and to explain commercial issues in plain language to designers and other non-finance colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience within an architecture or design practice.
• A qualification or accreditation such as MRICS, MCIOB or APM. We value equivalent experience just as highly as formal qualifications.

Don’t tick every box? Research shows that some people, particularly women and people from under-represented groups, are less likely to apply unless they meet every requirement. If this role excites you and you have most of what we’re looking for, we’d still love to hear from you.

What we offer

• Hybrid and flexible working. We’re happy to talk about the working pattern that suits you.
• Enhanced family leave for all parents.
• Private medical insurance.
• Life assurance and income protection.
• A cycle-to-work scheme and season ticket loan.
• The chance to work on landmark projects with talented colleagues around the world.

Our commitment to inclusion

Grimshaw is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome people from all backgrounds and recognise that, in order to be successful, we need to create an inclusive environment where everyone can realise their potential and succeed. We welcome applications regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or caring responsibilities.

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you need any adjustments at any stage, such as extra time, interview questions in advance or a different interview format, please let us know and we’ll be happy to help.

Any offer will be conditional on the right to work in the UK.