Strategic contracts/commercial manager

Extensive experience in high-rise, residential, and commercial building projects across Middle East markets, specializing in contract administration, commercial management, and risk mitigation. Proven ability to oversee procurement strategies, manage claims and variations, and ensure contractual compliance while protecting project profitability. Strong negotiator and collaborator, working closely with stakeholders to resolve commercial issues and drive successful, cost-effective project outcomes.

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 pertaining to all ongoing commercial/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 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 whenever applicable.
• Facilitate contract close-out procedures to ensure that all terms and conditions of contracts have been complied with prior to 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.
• Manage contract closeout by documenting items to be completed, amounts to be withheld for final completion, and review of taking over certificates.
• Responsible for the preparation and maintenance of engineer’s instructions, variation orders, and claim logs.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly progress reports.
• Assist on all contractual and commercial matters.
• Validate the consultants’ and contractors’ interim and final payment applications from a commercial perspective, including any variation from the GMP figures, contractor compliance with payment rules as per the contract, retentions, back-charges, fees, and taxes.
• Assist the estimation and project control teams regarding contractual implications of change orders.
• Organize, chair, and record commercial meetings and minutes.
• Stay informed of relevant quality, environmental, safety, and occupational health policies, manuals, and procedures, ensuring 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, preferably in the GCC region.

Additional information:

The company is a global provider of program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, advisory, facilities management, and other consulting services to clients in a variety of market sectors. It is dedicated to protecting client interests and exceeding expectations throughout the entire construction project lifecycle by developing tailored approaches and solutions.

The company 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.