Associate Director - Contracts

Mace Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 441,000 - 771,000; Full time

Job summary

Mace Group is recruiting for a senior cost management role to oversee programme cost control on a major data centre infrastructure project in the region. You will lead large teams, ensure robust financial reporting and rigorous governance, and drive value engineering and lifecycle costing across the programme.

The role requires MRICS/RICS or equivalent, strong bidding and business development experience, and the ability to coordinate with stakeholders on complex contracts.

Qualifications

• Degree in quantity surveying or cost management (or equivalent).
• MRICS/ RICS membership or equivalent.
• Strong bidding and business development experience.
• Sound knowledge of value engineering, life cycle costing, and contractual frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Directs preparation and formal execution of contract documents, ensuring compliance with contractual and approval requirements.
• Manages large teams of direct reports, driving behaviours, performance against KPIs, and continuous improvement.
• Drives accurate valuation measurement for cost control and robust financial reporting.
• Directs monthly post-contract cost reports to clients.
• Identifies and manages cost impacts from design changes, contract awards, construction activities, and client instructions.
• Oversees assessment and determination of contractor and subcontractor claims relating to delay and additional costs.
• Directs issue of certificates for practical completion, defects, and final completion for final account agreement.
• Leads cost consultants to improve cost management processes and support net zero carbon objectives.

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Contract law

MRICS/RICS

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Cost reporting

Education

Quantity surveying / cost management degree

Job description

Position status:

This opportunity is for a secured role that is due to commence in September subject to approval.

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

The project:

Mace is supporting the delivery of a large‑scale, next‑generation digital infrastructure programme in the region, working alongside a leading developer in the data centre sector. The project brings together complex design coordination, fast‑paced delivery and rigorous governance to meet the demands of a mission‑critical environment. Our team is applying global best practice in programme, project and commercial management to help shape resilient, future‑ready infrastructure at scale

You’ll be responsible for:

• Directs preparation and formal execution of contract documents, including warranties, bonds, and licenses, ensuring compliance with contractual and approval requirements.
• Manages large teams of direct reports, driving appropriate behaviours, performance against KPIs, and a strong continuous improvement culture.
• Drives accurate measurement of valuations to maintain effective cost control and robust financial reporting.
• Directs the preparation and presentation of monthly post-contract cost reports to clients.
• Proactively identifies and manages cost impacts arising from design changes, contract awards, construction activities, and client instructions.
• Oversees the assessment and determination of contractor and subcontractor claims relating to delay and additional costs.
• Directs the issue of certificates for practical completion, making good defects, and final completion to enable final account agreement.
• Leads cost consultants to improve cost management processes, systems, and best practices, while supporting net zero carbon objectives through proactive carbon reduction management.

You’ll need to have:

• Necessary visa criteria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have relevant work experience working on high valued projects/ programmes for a project management consultancy business, which are required for immigration and client approval.
• Degree in quantity surveying/cost management (or equivalent).
• Professional membership i.e. MRICS/RICS (or equivalent).
• Strong Bidding and business development experience.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Sound knowledge of value engineering, life cycle costing, contract law and contractual frameworks relating to construction.
• Management experience within large, diverse teams.
• Experience of managing relationships with key senior stakeholders.

Our values

Safety first - Going home safe and well:

We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.

Client focus - Deliver on our promise:

We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.

Integrity - Always do the right thing:

We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.

Create opportunity - For our people to excel:

Mace champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with-in the role