Commercial Director

Role Overview

The Commercial Director oversees all commercial, contractual, and cost-related activities within a significant capital works programme as part of the Project Management Consultancy (PMC). This leadership role ensures strategic commercial guidance, solid contract administration under FIDIC standards, effective cost governance, risk mitigation, and positive commercial results throughout the project duration. Acting as the client’s main commercial advisor, the director manages contractual relationships among clients, contractors, consultants, and other key parties.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commercial strategies across large mixed-use development projects.
• Implement and maintain commercial management frameworks and governance structures.
• Advise senior client and project teams on commercial risks and opportunities.
• Conduct high-level contract negotiations with contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders.
• Manage commercial reporting and performance tracking mechanisms.
• Champion continuous improvement in commercial processes and practices.
• Administer contracts compliant with FIDIC Red, Yellow, Silver Books, and custom agreements.
• Interpret contractual requirements authoritatively and manage official communications.
• Oversee changes including Variations, Change Orders, Extensions of Time, and compensation events.
• Ensure compliance with contractual and governance commitments.
• Assess contractor claims and entitlement submissions thoroughly.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution boards and procedures.
• Develop commercial strategies for reducing contractual risks.
• Coordinate multiple project package contract interfaces.
• Lead cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, and control measures programme-wide.
• Drive value engineering and optimize costs while monitoring payments and changes.
• Forecast cash flows and perform cost risk evaluations.
• Produce executive-level cost reports for leadership review.
• Manage contractor claim assessments, defend claims, and resolve disputes through negotiation.
• Collaborate with claims consultants, legal teams, and external experts.
• Formulate strategies for dispute avoidance and early conflict resolution.
• Support procurement strategies, lead commercial evaluations, and manage tender processes.
• Oversee post-award contract administration ensuring alignment with commercial objectives.
• Identify, quantify, and manage commercial risks; maintain risk registers and advise on mitigation.
• Lead multidisciplinary commercial and quantity surveying teams, fostering a high-performance culture and managing recruitment and succession planning.
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders including client executives, programme and project directors, design and engineering teams, construction managers, contractors, legal counsel, government authorities, financial controllers, and external consultants.

Candidate Profile

Education and Memberships

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional qualification such as MRICS, FRICS, MCIOB, FCIOB, AACE International, RIBA, or Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

Experience

• Over 20 years’ experience in commercial management roles.
• Proven involvement in major capital projects valued above USD 500 million.
• Previous leadership experience as a Commercial Director or Head of Commercial within PMC or client organizations.
• Strong preference for extensive Middle East project experience.
• Demonstrable expertise in FIDIC contract administration and management of claims, disputes, and change processes in complex programmes.
• Experience managing large commercial teams across various project packages.

Technical Competencies

• Proficient in FIDIC contract administration and interpretation.
• Expertise in managing variations, change controls, Extensions of Time, and dispute resolution.
• Strong commercial risk management and contract negotiation capabilities.
• Cost management skills including cost planning, control, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow analysis, value engineering, earned value management, and cost assurance.
• Familiarity with commercial systems such as Oracle Primavera Unifier, Oracle P6, SAP, Power BI, CostX, CEMAR, and Aconex.

Leadership Attributes

• Executive stakeholder management and commercial acumen.
• Strategic thinking and effective decision-making.
• Negotiation, influence, and conflict resolution skills.
• Leadership and client relationship management abilities.

Performance Indicators

• Cost performance relative to budget.
• Reduction in commercial risk exposure.
• Successful resolution value of claims.
• Accuracy of cost forecasting and reporting.
• Contract compliance and timely change order processing.
• Reliable cash flow prediction and strong audit results.
• Client satisfaction and team development effectiveness.

Rewards and Benefits

• Tax-free salary package.
• Comprehensive life and medical insurance coverage.
• Annual leave entitlement.
• Company gratuity scheme and discretionary bonuses.
• Annual flight allowance and transportation and housing benefits.
• Employee Wellbeing Program providing 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal, health, fitness, and nutrition.

About the Employer

AtkinsRéalis is a leading global engineering and nuclear services organization dedicated to transforming infrastructure and energy systems worldwide. With a network of expert consultants, designers, engineers, and project managers, the company partners with industry stakeholders to engineer sustainable solutions for the future.