Join the Southern Region where your work truly matters.
Covering Wessex, Sussex, and Kent, the Southern Region is one of the busiest and most dynamic parts of the railway. Our teams keep some of the UK's most vital passenger and freight routes moving every single day.
This is a place where collaboration, innovation, and resilience are key and where your contribution will directly impact millions of journeys. We are entering an exciting new chapter as we integrate with train operating companies under one national leadership, creating even greater opportunities to shape the future of rail.
From supporting major modernisation programmes to improving performance for local communities and enhancing safety across complex operational environments, Southern offers a fast-paced, rewarding environment to grow your career and make a real difference.
Safe behaviour is a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .
Are you an experienced commercial professional who enjoys influencing decisions, managing risk, and driving value through complex projects? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where your expertise can make a real difference?
At Network Rail, we're committed to delivering a safe, reliable and sustainable railway that connects people, businesses and communities across Britain. As a Commercial Manager , you'll play a key role in supporting the successful delivery of investment projects, providing expert commercial guidance, contract management and ensuring robust cost reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
What you'll be doing
As a Commercial Manager, you'll work closely with Project Managers, Programme Managers and delivery teams to provide specialist commercial expertise that helps projects achieve their objectives while effectively managing commercial risk.
You'll:
- Lead the commercial management of medium-value, medium-risk projects from contract award through to final account settlement.
- Provide expert advice on commercial matters, contract management, change control and risk mitigation.
- Monitor project costs, forecasts and financial performance, ensuring accurate reporting and robust financial governance.
- Review, challenge and assess contractor applications, valuations and payments, ensuring they align with contractual entitlement and project progress.
- Support the management of scope changes, commercial risks and potential claims, helping teams make informed decisions.
- Build strong relationships with contractors and suppliers, influencing commercial behaviours and driving positive project outcomes.
- Produce commercial correspondence, contractual notices and management information to support effective decision-making.
- Support procurement and estimating activities, including negotiations, risk assessments and value management workshops.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by analysing completed projects and identifying opportunities to enhance future performance
Essential
- Demonstrable experience in commercially managing investment projects
- Demonstrable relevant experience
- Good understanding of railway and construction industry forms of contract
- Good understanding of the construction/railway industry
- Good negotiation skills
Desirable
- Educated to degree standard in related subject
- Membership of a relevant professional institute, chartered status
- Significant experience of working within a generalist commercial environment
- Awareness of industry issues
How to apply
Band & Salary: £43,588 - £53,167
Vacancy type: Perm
Location: Basingstoke ROC
Closing date: 2 nd September 2026
We're an organisation where people matter. We matter to millions.
We offer excellent benefits, including:
¿ Generous annual leave with the option to buy/sell days.
¿ Defined benefit pension scheme.
¿ 75% subsidy on rail and underground season tickets.
¿ Up to 75% off leisure travel.
Carer's leave to support those who matter.
¿ Healthcare Scheme, GymPass discounts, Cycle to work plus more.
¿ We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
Discover all our benefits and what life is like at Network Rail.- click here
Click apply now to apply.
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We're proud to champion a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To explore our ED&I commitments, https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/diversity-and-inclusion/ .
You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.
***Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your formal offer.****
