Requirements
The Commercial Director must have a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field, with a Master's Degree preferred. Must possess 20+ years of commercial management experience, including significant experience delivering major capital projects over USD 500M. Previous Commercial Director or Head of Commercial roles within PMC or client organizations is essential. Demonstrated expertise in FIDIC contract administration and proven record managing claims, disputes, and change management on complex programmes are required. Experience leading large commercial teams across multiple project packages is necessary. Professional memberships like MRICS/FRICS, MCIOB/FCIOB, ACE International, RIBA, or Chartered Quantity Surveyor are also required.
Description
OverviewThe Commercial Director leads all commercial, contractual, and cost management functions across a major capital works programme on behalf of the PMC. The role provides strategic commercial leadership, ensuring robust contract administration, effective cost control, commercial governance, risk management, and successful commercial outcomes throughout the project lifecycle.The position acts as the client's trusted commercial advisor, administering contracts under FIDIC conditions and managing the commercial interface between clients, contractors, consultants, and key stakeholders.The Commercial Director is accountable for the establishment of commercial policies, claims management strategies, cost assurance processes, procurement oversight, contract compliance, and the commercial performance of the programme.Your roleCommercial LeadershipProvide strategic commercial leadership across large-scale mixed-use developments.Develop and implement commercial management frameworks, controls, and governance procedures.Advise client executives and project leadership teams on commercial risks and opportunities.Lead commercial negotiations with contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders.Establish and maintain project commercial reporting and performance measurement systems.Drive commercial best practice and continuous improvement initiatives.Contract Administration (FIDIC)Lead administration of contracts under FIDIC Red Book, Yellow Book, Silver Book, and bespoke conditions.Provide authoritative interpretation of contractual provisions and obligations.Manage contractual correspondence and notices.Oversee Variations, Change Orders, Extensions of Time (EOT), and compensation events.Ensure compliance with contract conditions and project governance requirements.Assess contractor submissions, claims, and entitlement positions.Support Dispute Avoidance Boards (DAB) and dispute resolution processes.Prepare commercial strategies to mitigate contractual exposure.Manage contractual interfaces between multiple project packages.Cost ManagementDirect all cost planning, estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting activities.Establish and maintain programme-wide cost control systems.Monitor cost performance against approved budgets.Lead value engineering and cost optimization initiatives.Review contractor applications for payment and certify payment recommendations.Ensure robust change management controls are implemented.Lead cash flow forecasting and cost risk assessments.Develop executive-level cost reports for client leadership.Claims and Disputes ManagementLead assessment and defence of contractor claims.Prepare detailed entitlement reviews and commercial recommendations.Support forensic delay and quantum assessments.Lead resolution of commercial disputes through negotiation and settlement.Interface with claims consultants, legal counsel, and external specialists.Develop strategies for dispute avoidance and early intervention.Procurement and Supply ChainSupport procurement strategy development and contract packaging.Lead commercial evaluations and tender assessments.Participate in contractor selection and award recommendations.Ensure procurement activities align with programme commercial objectives.Manage post-award commercial administration.Risk ManagementIdentify, quantify, and mitigate commercial risks.Maintain commercial risk registers.Evaluate contractual and financial impacts of project decisions.Advise senior leadership on risk exposure and mitigation strategies.Ensure compliance with corporate governance and client requirements.Leadership & Team ManagementLead multidisciplinary commercial and quantity surveying teams.Mentor and develop commercial managers, contracts managers, and cost consultants.Establish high-performance commercial management culture.Manage resource planning and capability development.Support recruitment and succession planning activities.Key Stakeholder InterfacesClient Executive ManagementProgramme DirectorProject DirectorsEngineering and Design TeamsConstruction ManagersContractors and Joint VenturesLegal CounselGovernment AuthoritiesFinancial ControllersExternal ConsultantsAbout YouEducationBachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or related discipline.Master's Degree preferred.Professional MembershipsOne Or More OfMRICS / FRICSMCIOB / FCIOBAACE InternationalRIBA (where applicable)Chartered Quantity SurveyorExperience20+ years of commercial management experience.Significant experience delivering major capital projects exceeding USD 500M.Previous Commercial Director or Head of Commercial roles within PMC or client organizations.Extensive Middle East experience preferred.Demonstrated expertise in FIDIC contract administration.Proven record managing claims, disputes, and change management on complex programmes.Experience leading large commercial teams across multiple project packages.Technical CompetenciesContractualFIDIC Contract AdministrationVariations & Change ManagementExtensions of Time (EOT)Claims & Dispute ResolutionCommercial Risk ManagementContract NegotiationProcurement StrategyCost ManagementCost PlanningCost ControlBudget ManagementForecastingCash Flow AnalysisValue EngineeringEarned Value ManagementCost AssuranceCommercial SystemsOracle Primavera UnifierOracle P6SAPPower BICostXCEMARAconexLeadership CompetenciesExecutive Stakeholder ManagementCommercial AcumenStrategic ThinkingNegotiation & InfluenceDecision MakingTeam LeadershipConflict ResolutionClient Relationship ManagementTypical KPIsCost performance against approved budgetCommercial risk reduction metricsValue of claims successfully resolvedAccuracy of cost forecastingContract compliance performanceChange order cycle timesCash flow predictabilityCommercial audit outcomesClient satisfaction scoresTeam utilization and development metricsRewards & benefitsExplore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.This IncludesTax-free salary.Life insurance coverage.Medical insurance.Annual leave balance.Company gratuity scheme.Discretionary bonus program.Annual flight contribution.Transportation & housing allowances.Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.About AtkinsRéalisWe're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.Find out more.#CMME