Commercial Manager

SSH; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is looking for a Commercial Manager based in Kuwait to lead commercial operations and risk management for ongoing projects. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in contract management and a strong understanding of project accounting. They will collaborate with project teams, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, and supporting negotiations with subconsultants. Strong interpersonal skills and a relevant degree are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in commercial management.
• Experience in Quantity Surveying, Contract Management, and/or Project Management.
• MRICS Certification is desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial functions for the territory.
• Manage contractual negotiations and risk analysis.
• Support project teams in procurement and contract execution.

Skills

Good understanding of contract law

Ability to draft contracts

Experience in contractual dispute resolution

Analytical and forensic skills

Understanding of project accounting reporting

Interpersonal and relationship management skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Microsoft Project

Online communication tools

Job description

Role Definition

The Commercial Manager, Kuwait, reports to the Managing Director for Kuwait and the Chief Commercial Officer.

Core Accountabilities

• Act as the lead commercial person in the territory
• Ensures projects comply with commercial governance
• Provide commercial and contract support to project teams
• Report to senior management on project risks and commercial and contractual issues
• Liaise with other departments when necessary

Duties and Responsibilities

Bidding Phase and Pre-contract

• Conduct contract risk review of new opportunities and tenders and provide tendering risks and opportunity analysis in accordance with the SSH Commercial Review of Contracts Guidelines and SSH Bidding Protocols;
• Prepare risk management strategy for awarded tenders, to be included in the project hand-over from the bid team to the delivery team;
• Review contract documents for completeness and to ensure that they have been properly executed, distributed and filed.
• Support bid teams on assessing and pricing contract risk in the tender;
• Draft risk mitigation strategy for high risk projects;
• Support and where necessary lead any contractual and commercial negotiations;

Project Start Up / Mobilisation

• Review the Project Management Plan to ensure that commercial responsibilities are properly described including change management, subcontractor engagement, cashflow management, project risks and opportunities.
• Ensure project teams have complied with commercial management processes and procedures for project start up.
• Ensure accepted risk strategy is articulated in the PMP,
• Assist the project team in understanding and appreciation of the contract;
• Assist in preparing templates for specific notices, templates, forms or reports required by the contract;
• Assist in setting up the necessary registers and folders for records in the project folders, specifically early warning register, change register, subconsultant register.
• Assist in the procurement of the necessary bonds and insurances required for by the contract.

Project Execution

• Challenge commercial decisions through the monthly Project Reviews;
• Ensure commercial procedures are followed;
• Interrogate and challenge costs to date and forecast to completion;
• Interrogate and challenge change management, change registers, opportunity recognition and ensure that changes are pursued and closed out;
• Review and challenge the project risk registers to ensure that risks are captured and reported correctly;
• Ensure that revenue recognition is complied with and invoicing and collection of fees is prompt;
• Review fee variations and change orders in accordance with delegated level of authority.
• Provide guidance and support to project teams on understanding project costs, identifying cost trends and forecasting estimates at completion;
• Disseminate best practice commercial management amongst the project teams;
• Provide guidance and support on identifying, drafting and negotiating fee variations;
• Provide advice and support on managing and avoiding contractual risks, including delay damages, penalties and working at risk.

Subconsultant Management

• Ensure that the SSH procedures and guidelines on engaging and managing subconsultants are followed;
• Review requests for quotations prior to issue to market;
• Prepare commercial terms and conditions for subconsultant agreement;
• Review all subconsultant variations before sign off by Resident Engineer;
• Review and sign off subconsultant final accounts.
• Provide advice on subconsultant procurement;
• Assist in drafting scope of services;
• Provide support and assistance on any Subconsultant contract issues or disputes;
• Provide support on Subconsultant stage payments;

Project Close Out

• Ensure commercial close out of projects; including final account under the main contract, subconsultant close out.
• Ensure any claims are finalised.
• Capture commercial and contractual lessons learned from the project;

Risk Management

• Produce and issue to Managing Director and General Manager the monthly risk report, highlighting the risks that emanate from Project Reviews for the region.

Legacy Issues

• Maintain register of legacy commercial issues from projects and ensure periodic review to close issues out.

Corporate / Head Office Responsibilities

• Review and consult on other agreements that are required from time to time including non-disclosure agreements, letters of intent, joint venture agreements and the like;
• Contribute to the overall commercial function;
• Support regional commercial issues;
• Contribute to commercial training of project, design delivery and supervision teams;
• Under any other assignments and tasks as required.

Qualities and Skills

• Good understanding of contract law and contract administration
• Ability to draft contracts and agreements,
• Experience in contractual dispute resolution,
• Good analytical and forensic skills
• Understanding of project accounting reporting requirements
• Substantial commercial experience gained through Quantity Surveying, Contract Management, and/or Project Management, preferably with security, systems integration or maintenance background.
• 10+ years of experience.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship Management skills

Digital Platforms

• Microsoft office 365
• Online communication tools
• Microsoft project

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field

MRICS Certification is desirable but not essential

Quantity Surveying or Project Management certification or any other relevant certification