Talent pool – airport contracts/commercial manager roles for Middle East projects

Focus on managing contracts, commercial strategy, and financial performance across complex aviation developments. Candidates are responsible for contract negotiation, claims management, risk mitigation, and ensuring compliance with project and legal requirements. This talent pool targets experienced professionals with strong commercial acumen and a proven track record in large-scale airport or infrastructure projects in the region.

Key responsibilities:

• Ensure that the requirements of the contract documents are implemented and maintained throughout the contract period.
• Assist in the review of contractual notices of claims and provide contractual advice to the engineering team in their administration of the construction contract.
• Interact with client representatives, project management and supervision consultants, and relevant contractors in respect of all contractual matters.
• Review all contract documents to ensure congruity and to minimize patent and latent ambiguities.
• Implement, update, and communicate the risk register about all ongoing commercial and contract matters with the client team and consultants.
• Manage commercial risks by advising the client of potential claims, rough order of magnitude, and necessary actions towards claim avoidance and dispute resolution.
• Assist with the administration of ongoing contracts, including monitoring contractor and commission compliance with the contract documents.
• Prepare correspondence and maintain records necessary to ensure the effective administration of all contractual matters.
• Facilitate the preparation of contract changes and prepare the relevant variation orders.
• Responsible for the change management process, initiating all credit change orders as applicable.
• Facilitate contract close-out procedures to ensure all contract terms and conditions are met before final payment to the contractor.
• Ensure that all contractual procedures are implemented and maintained.
• Assist in the review of contractor’s claims in accordance with the provisions of the conditions of contract and ensure the client’s interests are protected.
• Ensure all warranties, bonds, insurances, guarantees, etc., are in place, maintained, and updated in accordance with the contract and comply with the client’s requirements.
• Contract closeout: document items to be completed, amounts to be withheld for final completion, and review of the certificate.
• Responsible for the preparation and maintenance of engineer’s instructions, variation orders, and claim logs.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly progress reports.
• Assist with all contractual and commercial matters.
• Validate the consultants’ and contractor's interim and final payment applications from a commercial perspective and any variation from the GMP figures (rates, contractor compliance with payment rules as per the contract, retentions, back-charges, fees, taxes, etc.).
• Assist the estimation and project control teams with respect to contractual implications of change orders.
• Organize, chair, and record commercial meetings and minutes of meetings.
• Stay informed of relevant quality, environmental, safety, and occupational health policies, manuals, and procedures, and ensure continued compliance while employed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager or client department head.

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, quantity surveying, or equivalent.
• Minimum of 20 years’ experience with strong international exposure.
• Preferably a chartered member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS).
• Strong background and understanding of FIDIC forms of contract, particularly design and build.
• Knowledgeable in all contractual and legal matters relevant to the industry, including claim management.
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; Arabic is desirable.
• Experience working internationally, with preference for GCC countries.

About the company:

Hill International, with more than 4,300 professionals in over 100 offices worldwide, provides program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, advisory, facilities management, and other consulting services to clients in various market sectors. The company is dedicated to protecting client interests and exceeding expectations throughout the entire construction project lifecycle by developing tailored approaches and solutions to meet client needs.

Hill International is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

Note: This job description is intended to provide an indication of the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions to be carried out as part of fulfilling the role. Various other duties may be required.