Commercial Director (Rail)

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the very best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

Context

The Commercial Director is responsible for providing strategic commercial leadership across a portfolio of rail and infrastructure projects, frameworks and programmes, ensuring commercial excellence, profitable growth and effective risk management throughout the project lifecycle.

The role provides commercial leadership to project teams and senior stakeholders, supporting the delivery of business objectives whilst protecting the Company’s commercial and contractual interests. The post holder will lead commercial governance, develop commercial capability and maintain strong client relationships across key strategic accounts.

Missions/Main Duties

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership

• Lead the commercial function across a portfolio of projects, programmes and strategic frameworks.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies that maximise profitability and sustainable growth.
• Provide commercial leadership to Business Directors, Project Directors and Project Managers.
• Promote best practice commercial management throughout the business.
• Ensure commercial governance and compliance with company policies.
• Lead and develop a high performing commercial team.

Contract Management

• Lead the commercial management of major infrastructure contracts.
• Provide expert advice on NEC4 and other contracts, including Professional Services Contracts and Engineering & Construction Contracts.
• Lead negotiations relating to compensation events, contract amendments and commercial settlements.
• Manage contractual risk and ensure opportunities are maximised.
• Provide strategic guidance on claims avoidance and dispute resolution.

Financial Performance

• Accountable for commercial performance across the portfolio.
• Lead Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) processes.
• Review revenue recognition, forecasting and project profitability.
• Monitor cash collection and working capital performance.
• Ensure robust financial reporting and forecasting.
• Drive improvements in commercial performance.

Client Relationship Management

• Develop trusted relationships with strategic clients.
• Represent SYSTRA during commercial negotiations.
• Support collaborative working with clients and joint venture partners.
• Lead commercial discussions during governance meetings and audits.

Business Development

• Support the preparation of bids and tenders.
• Lead commercial input into tender submissions.
• Develop pricing strategies.
• Review commercial risks associated with new opportunities.
• Support framework growth and strategic account development.

Commercial Governance

• Ensure compliance with company governance procedures.
• Chair commercial reviews.
• Support project audits.
• Develop commercial reporting standards.
• Drive continuous improvement across the commercial function.

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, mentor and develop commercial teams.
• Build commercial capability across the business.
• Undertake performance management and succession planning.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Coach operational teams on commercial awareness.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Finance, Operations, Legal, Procurement and Executive Management.
• Influence senior stakeholders on commercial strategy.
• Support business planning and strategic decision making.

Health, Safety & Sustainability

The Commercial Director shall actively support SYSTRA’s commitment to Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability by:

• Promoting safe behaviours.
• Supporting the implementation of company HSE policies.
• Ensuring commercial decisions support safe project delivery.
• Acting as a visible safety leader.

Profile/Skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Extensive commercial leadership experience within infrastructure, engineering or rail.
• Significant experience managing major programmes and strategic frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of NEC4 and other contracts.
• Experience leading commercial teams.
• Excellent commercial negotiation skills.
• Strong understanding of project finance, forecasting and CVRs.
• Experience managing commercial risk.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with senior client organisations.
• Degree qualified or equivalent professional experience.
• Chartered status (RICS, ICES, CICES or equivalent) or working towards.

Desirable

• Experience of joint ventures and alliance contracts.
• Experience working with Network Rail or other public sector infrastructure clients.
• Experience supporting major bids and framework competitions.
• Experience of international engineering consultancy.

Workplace Type