Commercial Manager

Hill International, Inc.; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Hill International is expanding its team in Abu Dhabi for a large-scale Mixed-Use Development project. We seek a Commercial Manager with extensive cost control and commercial management experience to oversee budgets, forecasts, reporting and procurement support.

You will interact with Client, project teams and contractors, ensuring governance, risk management and value engineering while guiding post-contract administration and final accounts. Experience with FIDIC contracts is a strong plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related field.
• Master’s degree in Commercial Management, Construction Law preferred.
• Strong cost control and commercial management experience.
• PMP Certification would be advantageous.
• FIDIC training would be advantageous, with practical experience preferred.
• 12-15+ years of relevant professional experience on major projects.
• Experience with PMC/consultancy or Tier 1 contractor backgrounds.
• Client-facing experience and ability to present to senior stakeholders.
• Experience in Infrastructure, Residential, Shopping Malls, Hotels, Resorts, Marine or Mixed-Use Developments.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the commercial management of the project, ensuring effective cost control, financial governance and commercial performance.
• Manage and monitor project budgets, forecasts, commitments, expenditure and cash flow, identifying potential cost pressures and corrective actions.
• Prepare and review commercial and cost reports, providing clear information to support senior management and Client decisions.
• Review and assess payment applications and support the payment certification process per contractual requirements.
• Monitor project costs against budgets and forecasts, highlighting variances, trends and risks.
• Review and manage changes and variations, including evaluation of cost implications.
• Support assessment and management of commercial risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide commercial input into procurement, tender evaluation, contract award and post-contract administration as required.
• Support value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives with the wider project team.
• Work with contracts, cost, project controls and management teams to align objectives.
• Support review and commercial assessment of claims, variations and contractual matters, including FIDIC-based contracts.
• Maintain appropriate commercial records and ensure changes and financial matters are reported.
• Participate in commercial and progress meetings with Client, consultants and contractors.
• Build relationships with Client and stakeholders, providing commercial advice throughout development.
• Support project close-out activities, final accounts, variations and documentation.

Skills

Cost management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Contract administration

Payment certification

Commercial reporting

Client management

Risk management

Value engineering

Negotiation

FIDIC contracts

PMP certification

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering/Quantity Surveying/Construction Management

Master's in Commercial Management/Construction Law (preferred)

Professional certifications in cost management or related

Job description

We are expanding our team for an exciting large-scale Mixed-Use Development project and are looking to engage a highly experienced and commercially astute professional for the role of Commercial Manager to be based in Abu Dhabi.

The successful candidate will play a key role in the commercial and financial management of the project, working closely with the Client, project management team, consultants and contractors to provide effective commercial oversight throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the commercial management of the project, ensuring effective cost control, financial governance and commercial performance.
• Manage and monitor project budgets, forecasts, commitments, expenditure and cash flow, identifying potential cost pressures and recommending appropriate corrective actions.
• Prepare and review regular commercial and cost reports, providing clear and accurate information to support senior management and Client decision-making.
• Review and assess contractor and consultant payment applications and support the payment certification process in accordance with contractual requirements and verified progress.
• Monitor project costs against approved budgets and forecasts, highlighting variances, trends and potential commercial risks.
• Review and manage changes and variations, including evaluation of associated cost and commercial implications.
• Support the assessment and management of commercial risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide commercial input into procurement, tender evaluation, contract award and post-contract administration, as required.
• Support value engineering and cost optimisation initiatives, working with the wider project team to identify opportunities while maintaining the required quality, scope and programme objectives.
• Work closely with the contracts, cost, project controls and project management teams to ensure alignment between commercial, contractual and project objectives.
• Support the review and commercial assessment of claims, variations and other contractual matters, including matters arising under FIDIC-based contracts where applicable.
• Maintain appropriate commercial records and ensure that changes, commitments and financial matters are accurately documented and reported.
• Participate in commercial and progress meetings with the Client, consultants and contractors, providing clear advice on cost and commercial matters.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with the Client and key project stakeholders, providing professional and commercially focused advice throughout the development.
• Support project close-out activities, including final accounts, outstanding variations and completion of commercial documentation.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree in Commercial Management, Construction Law or a related discipline is preferred.
• Strong cost control and commercial management experience may substitute for postgraduate studies.
• PMP Certification would be considered an advantage.
• FIDIC training would be considered an advantage, although strong practical experience working with FIDIC-based contracts is more important than certification.
• Cost Management and/or Value Engineering qualifications or training would be preferred.
• Minimum 12-15+ years of relevant professional experience, with a strong track record in commercial and cost management on major construction or development projects.
• Previous experience working with reputable PMC or consultancy organisations is preferred.
• Alternatively, strong commercial experience gained with a Tier 1 Contractor would be considered.
• Previous experience working with or representing major developers/Clients would be a strong advantage.
• Strong background in cost control, budgeting, forecasting, payment certification and commercial reporting.
• Good understanding of commercial management, contract administration, change management, variations, claims and project cost control.
• Demonstrable client-facing experience, with the confidence to present commercial information and provide advice to senior stakeholders.
• Experience delivering major projects within Infrastructure, Residential, Shopping Malls, Hotels, Resorts, Marine or Mixed-Use Developments.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to manage complex commercial matters within a multidisciplinary project environment.

About Hill International

• Hill International will prioritize your well-being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey.

Hill International, with more than 4,100 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 a variety of market sectors.