Associate Director - Commercial

AECOM Middle East Ltd; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Employee stock purchase plan

Retirement savings

Job summary

AE C O M Middle East Ltd in Abu Dhabi invites an experienced Associate Director - Commercial to lead commercial strategy and governance for a major High Speed Rail project. The role requires strong leadership across contracts, finance, and construction, with focus on risk management and client alignment.

On-site work and extensive stakeholder engagement are essential. The ideal candidate will bring 15+ years of relevant experience, advanced project management skills, and a background in

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in commercial management, project management, or construction engineering within infrastructure or transportation.
• Experience in commercial strategy development and business development.
• Strong financial acumen with budgets and P&L responsibilities.
• Advanced project management capability in large-scale, complex projects.
• Strong contract negotiation and commercial agreement management experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional teams.
• Experience in stakeholder management and client relationship development.
• Knowledge of UAE regulations and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute commercial strategies covering revenue optimization, cost management, and project profitability.
• Establish commercial procedures and protocols to support efficient delivery and objectives.
• Manage contract negotiations, supplier agreements, and vendor relationships to secure favourable terms.
• Maintain oversight of project budgets, forecasts, cost controls, and performance.
• Analyze commercial information and market trends to guide decisions.
• Oversee project administration across the construction cycle, including coordination and client satisfaction.
• Direct planning, design, and construction management activities across phases.
• Ensure compliance with engineering specs, plans, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide mentorship to team members and promote high performance.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract management

Financial oversight

Project administration

Construction coordination

Team leadership

Risk management

Stakeholder management

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

PMP/PRINCE2 or PM Certification

Job description

Associate Director - Commercial Job Snapshot Role: Associate Director - Commercial Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Industry: Civil Engineering Function: Contracts Administration Experience: Minimum 15 years Job Type: Full Time Work Arrangement: On-site Position Overview AECOM is seeking an Associate Director - Commercial in Abu Dhabi, UAE to provide senior commercial leadership for a major High Speed Rail project. The role combines commercial strategy, contract management, financial oversight, project administration, construction coordination, and team leadership. The successful candidate will help guide the project through its delivery phases while maintaining commercial performance, regulatory compliance, effective risk management, and alignment with client expectations.

Job Details

Country: UAE

City: Abu Dhabi

Industry: Civil Engineering

Function: Contracts Administration

Salary: Not disclosed

Gender: No Preference

Candidate Nationality: Not specified

Job Type: Full Time

Work Arrangement: On-site

Commercial Leadership

The Associate Director - Commercial will take a strategic role in managing the commercial aspects of a complex transportation infrastructure programme. Working as part of the site construction team, the position requires strong commercial judgment alongside an understanding of project management, construction engineering, contractual relationships, and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• - Develop and execute commercial strategies covering revenue optimization, cost management, and project profitability.
• - Establish commercial procedures and protocols that support efficient project delivery and organizational objectives.
• - Manage contract negotiations, supplier agreements, and vendor relationships to secure appropriate commercial terms and sustained value.
• - Maintain oversight of project budgets, financial forecasts, cost controls, and commercial performance.
• - Analyze commercial information and relevant market trends to support strategic decision-making.
• - Oversee project administration throughout the construction cycle, including technical coordination, financial management, and client satisfaction activities.
• - Direct and coordinate planning, design, and construction management activities across project phases.
• - Oversee construction engineering functions to support compliance with engineering specifications, plans, and regulatory requirements.
• - Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to team members while promoting high performance and continuous improvement.
• - Identify commercial and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• - Maintain compliance with applicable UAE regulations, industry standards, and project requirements.
• - Build productive relationships with clients, internal teams, vendors, suppliers, and external project partners.
• - Monitor key performance indicators and project metrics to support continuous improvement.
• - Work in accordance with established project execution plans and organizational procedures.

Required Experience and Capabilities

• - Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in commercial management, project management, or construction engineering within infrastructure or transportation.
• - Proven expertise in commercial strategy development and business development.
• - Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and P&L responsibilities.
• - Advanced project management capability gained through large-scale and complex projects from conception through completion.
• - Strong contract negotiation and commercial agreement management experience.
• - Demonstrated leadership experience managing and mentoring cross-functional teams.
• - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate multiple commercial and project factors.
• - Experience in stakeholder management and client relationship development.
• - Knowledge of construction engineering principles, specifications, and relevant industry practices.
• - Experience with infrastructure project risk management and regulatory compliance.
• - Strong organizational and time management capabilities.
• - Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

High Speed Rail and Infrastructure Expertise

Experience with high-speed rail, rail infrastructure, or comparable transportation projects is preferred.

The position requires a strong understanding of infrastructure development, construction cycles, engineering standards, technical specifications, and the operational considerations associated with major transportation projects.

Familiarity with the UAE regulatory environment and local business practices is preferred, together with experience in vendor and supplier management.

Knowledge of sustainable and innovative construction methodologies is also desirable.

Education and Certifications

• - Bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
• - Professional certification in project management or commercial management is advantageous.
• - PMP, PRINCE2, or an equivalent project management certification is preferred.
• - Experience with construction management software and project management tools is preferred.

Additional Information

Newly hired AECOM employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment. This position is within AECOM 's Transportation business line, DCS business group, ME and Africa strategic business unit, and Survey and Estimation career area.

Why Join AECOM

This senior commercial position provides the opportunity to contribute to a major High Speed Rail initiative and influence commercial strategy across a complex transportation infrastructure project. The role combines strategic commercial leadership with direct involvement in project execution, construction management, financial performance, and stakeholder relationships.

AECOM provides training and development programs and access to a global network of infrastructure professionals.

Depending on employment status, benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, paid time off, leave programs, well-being resources, employee assistance, business travel insurance, service recognition programs, retirement savings, and an employee stock purchase plan.

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm providing advisory, planning, design, engineering, program management, and construction management services. Its work spans transportation, water, environment, energy, and buildings for public- and private-sector clients.

AECOM reported revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025 and has a global team of more than 50,000 professionals.