Contracts & Commercial Manager
About this role
Manage the commercial and contractual aspects of construction and development projects, from pre-contract through execution and final account close-out. The role covers cost control, tendering, variations, claims, payment certification, commercial negotiations, and risk management, ensuring projects remain commercially controlled and contractual obligations are properly managed.
What you will do
Key Responsibilities
Contract Administration
- Manage all commercial and contractual matters throughout the project lifecycle.
- Review contracts, tender documents, BOQs, scopes of work, and commercial terms.
- Administer construction and consultancy contracts and ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
- Prepare and review contractual correspondence, notices, and commercial documentation.
Cost Control & Reporting
- Monitor project budgets, commitments, actual costs, forecasts, and overall commercial performance.
- Prepare and review cost reports, cash-flow forecasts, and cost-to-complete reports.
- Review interim payment applications, payment certificates, retention, advance payments, and deductions.
Tendering & Procurement
- Support tendering and procurement activities, including commercial bid evaluations, comparisons, clarifications, and negotiations.
Variations & Claims
- Review and assess contractor and consultant variations, change orders, and claims.
- Manage variation and change-control registers and ensure proper supporting documentation.
- Review contractual claims, including cost and time-related claims, and provide commercial recommendations.
- Monitor outstanding payments, retention releases, variations, and claims.
Risk, Negotiation & Close-Out
- Identify contractual and commercial risks and recommend mitigation measures.
- Lead commercial negotiations with contractors, consultants, and other project stakeholders.
- Manage final account negotiations and project commercial close-out.
- Maintain accurate commercial and contractual records and provide regular management reports.
- Coordinate closely with project managers, consultants, contractors, quantity surveyors, finance, and other stakeholders.
What we are looking for
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
- Minimum 8–12 years of relevant experience in commercial and contracts management within construction, real estate, or project management.
- Strong UAE experience is preferred.
- Experience working with a Project Management Consultancy (PMC), Cost Consultancy, Developer, or Client-side organization is highly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and construction contract administration.
- Strong experience in cost control, tendering, BOQs, variations, claims, payment certification, and final accounts.
- Experience handling major residential, commercial, hospitality, or mixed-use projects is an advantage.
- MRICS/RICS or equivalent professional qualification is an advantage.
Skills & Competencies
Technical Skills
- Commercial & Contracts Management
- FIDIC Contract Administration
- Cost Control & Forecasting
- Tendering & Procurement
- Variations & Change Management
- Claims Assessment
- BOQ & Quantity Review
- Payment Certification
- Final Accounts
- Commercial Negotiation
- Contractual Risk Management
- Commercial Reporting
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills
Behavioral Competencies
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Strong analytical thinking and sound commercial decision-making.
- Accuracy and discipline in handling contractual and financial documentation.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple contractual files simultaneously.
- Initiative and ability to lead commercial teams.