Commercial Manager (Oxford Ellison)

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View more categories View less categories Sector Sales and Business Development Role Manager Contract Type Permanent Hours Full Time

At Vetter, we don't just build projects - we help deliver places that change the world. Our next major undertaking is the Ellison Institute of Technology in Oxford: a £1bn+ landmark project that will bring together scientists, technologists, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to tackle some of humanity's biggest challenges - from cancer research and health inequalities to clean energy, food security, and AI.

This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to be at the commercial heart of a globally significant project backed by Larry Ellison (co-founder of Oracle and one of the world's leading philanthropists).

We are now seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to take on this pivotal role at Oxford Ellison, driving commercial success while leading a team on one of the most exciting and meaningful construction projects in the UK.
What You'll Be Doing

• Own and deliver all commercial aspects of this flagship project.
  
• Manage subcontractors, lead negotiations, and influence key client and consultant relationships.
  
• Ensure profitability and protect margins on a £1bn+ programme.
  
• Lead and develop a talented commercial team, inspiring excellence and best practice.
  
• Shape the financial and contractual direction of the project - from drafting and settling contracts to managing change control.
  
• Provide proactive advice on risks, opportunities, and commercial strategy to the wider project leadership team.
  
• Play a central role in reporting, forecasting, and decision-making at every stage of the build.
  

What We're Looking For

• A proven Commercial Manager with experience on large or complex projects.
  
• Strong contractual knowledge and financial insight.
  
• Excellent leadership skills with a passion for mentoring and developing teams.
  
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with strong negotiation skills.
  
• The drive to make a tangible impact on one of the UK's most innovative projects.
  

Why This Project? Why Vetter?

• Be part of a globally significant institute that will advance science, technology, and healthcare for decades to come.
  
• Work on a £1bn+ landmark project in Oxford - from bespoke auditoriums and advanced laboratories to woodland walkways and collaborative research spaces.
  
• Join a forward-thinking business that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
  
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
  
• A supportive culture where your impact will be recognised - and your career can grow.
  

About us:

We are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

Certainty, reliability, quality - this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term health conditions and disabilities through the 'Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know prior to interview what adjustments are required as well as discussing how we can support you in the workplace.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email

Company

We are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

Certainty, reliability, quality - this is what our clients want. And at Laing O'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O'Rourke's story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.

"As an engineering enterprise, Laing O'Rourke is committed to playing a vital role in building a stronger and more sustainable economy that benefits society in general."

- Ray O'Rourke KBE, Chief Executive Officer

Our Origin Story:

Diversity & Inclusion:

Laing O'Rourke is committed to inclusion; an employer that maintains the highest standard of employment practice and one which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse society in which we live and work.

Laing O'Rourkebelieves that when we go to work, we should feel we are going to a place where we are accepted, understood and valued and that we should make others we work with feel this way too.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SUBCOMMITTEES

Laing O'Rourke have ten Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittees. The purpose of the diversity and inclusion sub-committees is to offer a safe and supportive environment to listen and share personal experiences and insights, as well as play a sympathetic role for each other.

The sub-committees help to drive education, events and initiatives across the organisation as well as help colleagues to understand their purpose.

Current subcommitteesinclude Dis-Ability, Carers, Ethnicity, Gender, Families that live abroad,LGBTQ+, Women & Menopause, & Working Families.

Support for Disabled Employees:

• LOR recruitment, HR Teams, Leadership and management have undertakendisability awareness trainingand are eager to provide an inclusive and accessibility experience to job applicants and new colleagues
• LOR Dis-ABILITY Subcommitteeis an Employee Network Group of colleagues passionate about disability inclusion. Its aims are to raise awareness and remove barriers around disability, neurodiversity and long term health conditions to support creating an inclusive and diverse workplace for everyone.
• Disability Confident Leaders- We are using the requirements of the government scheme to create an inclusive environment for disabled job applicants and existing colleagues.
• LOR are members of theBusiness Disability Forum, giving access to a wide range of resources and information. Our line managers have access to their best practice guides and confidential support line.
• LOR are partnering withEven Breakto have access to exemplary advice around disability inclusion.

Sustainability:

In April 2021 Laing O'Rourke announced new global sustainability targets. These include:

• To be a net zero company by 2050
• By 2033 to achieve equal gender balance across currently 5,500 international staff

Rewards andBenefits:

• Private Medical Insurance
• Pension - basic and enhanced schemes
• Health and Wellbeing
• Virtual GP
• Health Assessment (Age 50+)
• Phased return to work (80% of working week for 100% pay)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 5 days leave extra can be purchased
• Employee Discounts
• Allowances - car or transport allowance, depending on role/grade

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