Capital Delivery Commercial Manager

About Yorkshire Water

As a leading water company we provide essential water and wastewater services to over 5.4 million people in Yorkshire and to visitors each year. We look after communities, protect the environment and plan for Yorkshire's water today and tomorrow, 24/7, 365 days a year. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers and regulators mean this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the industry.

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £95,000, depending on experience.
• Company car lease/allowance scheme (£600 per month/£7,200 per year).
• Annual incentive related bonus up to 15% of annual salary, increasing to 20% in the 26-27 performance year.
• Private health care (self and partner where applicable).
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution).
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and 2 extra wellness days.
• Health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme.
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more.

Location & Work Type

Location: The role will initially be based in Bradford but will move to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, with hybrid working of 2 days per week in office. Other days will involve a combination of site visits, time spent in consultant and contractor offices, and working from home.

Work type: Permanent, 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

Position Overview

We have two exciting opportunities for a Capital Delivery Commercial Manager, each playing a key role in driving commercial success across our Infrastructure and Coastal & Partnerships programmes. These roles offer the chance to work at the forefront of major capital delivery, shaping strategy, influencing outcomes and delivering real impact across critical projects.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of all commercial activity across a high value capital programme, ensuring strong performance while protecting and enhancing the organisation's commercial position.
• Act as the senior commercial leader and trusted escalation point, providing clear direction and expert guidance to project teams and delivery partners.
• Shape and deliver forward thinking commercial strategies, ensuring programmes are executed in line with contractual, financial and governance expectations.
• Champion the consistent application of commercial policies, contract standards and NEC best practice, driving excellence across every project.
• Lead commercial resource planning, bringing together the right blend of internal talent, external expertise and specialist knowledge to support delivery.
• Own and continuously refine the programme cost baseline, forecasts and risk profile, driving accuracy, transparency and control.
• Provide constructive challenge on project forecasts, cost trends and contingency use, ensuring robust financial discipline.
• Deliver clear, insightful reporting on commercial performance, enabling informed decision making at senior levels.
• Oversee contract and change management activities across the programme, ensuring proactive and effective control of compensation events and early warnings.
• Support Commercial Managers in developing strong negotiation strategies and commercial positions on high value, complex matters.
• Review and provide oversight on significant commercial decisions, ensuring risk is understood and managed before escalation.
• Work in close partnership with senior stakeholders to deliver best in class contract and commercial management.
• Define and lead strategic procurement approaches aligned to programme frameworks and delivery needs.
• Drive the commercial performance of key contractors and consultants, fostering high performing, collaborative relationships.
• Lead structured performance reviews and play a key role in the resolution of disputes and claims, ensuring positive outcomes.
• Champion value for money and continuous improvement, embedding a culture of innovation and efficiency across the supply chain.
• Collaborate with multi disciplinary teams to align cost, schedule and scope, ensuring seamless programme delivery.
• Partner with engineering and delivery teams to ensure technical decisions are commercially informed and effectively managed.
• Provide strong commercial leadership at programme boards, governance forums and key decision gateways.
• Ensure full compliance with contractual requirements, procurement regulations and internal governance frameworks; support audit, assurance and regulatory engagement, maintaining high standards of transparency and accountability.
• Identify and proactively manage and escalates key commercial risks and opportunities.
• Lead, inspire and develop a team of Commercial Managers and Quantity Surveyors, building capability and driving high performance.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and technical leadership, supporting career development and knowledge sharing.
• Oversee resource planning and capability growth, ensuring the programme is equipped for long term success.

Qualifications & Skills

• Significant experience in commercial management of large scale infrastructure programmes (£500m-£1bn).
• Strong knowledge and practical application of NEC contracts (NEC3/NEC4 ECC, PSC).
• Proven expertise in cost control, forecasting, change management and commercial negotiation.
• Ability to operate effectively across multiple capital delivery disciplines.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Chartered status (RICS, CICES or equivalent) is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to manage commercial risk, ensure cost certainty and drive value for money.
• A track record of supporting the successful delivery of complex capital programmes through effective commercial leadership.

Additional Information

The closing date for this role is 1 July 2026. Flexibility in working patterns and job share options are available where possible.