Commercial Manager - Post Contract

AECOM Middle East Ltd

Abu Dhabi

On-site

AED 360,000 - 600,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager - Post Contract for a major development project in Abu Dhabi. You will lead post-contract administration, cost control, and commercial oversight, ensuring compliance with FIDIC contracts and Employers' procedures. Daily site presence is required with travel within Abu Dhabi.

Ideal candidates have 18+ years on large-scale projects, with proven leadership of small teams and strong financial reporting capabilities. MRICS is desirable.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related field.
Minimum 18 years of professional experience on large-scale projects; post-contract consultancy essential.
MRICS desirable; strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and commercial management.

Responsibilities

Lead the commercial management and post-contract administration of a major development project.
Operate as custodian of the project Cost Plan and maintain updates.
Prepare monthly cost reports, earned value assessments, and forecasts.
Identify commercial risks/opportunities affecting project costs.
Oversee changes, variations, and contract administration processes.
Manage construction claims with objective, evidence-based analysis.
Provide reliable cost information to support management decisions.
Mentor and supervise the commercial team and coordinate with stakeholders.

Skills

Post-contract management

FIDIC contracts knowledge

Cost planning & budgeting

Contract administration

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related field

Job description

Commercial Manager - Post Contract Job Snapshot - Role: Commercial Manager - Post Contract - Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Civil Engineering - Function: Contracts Administration - Experience: Minimum 18 years on large-scale projects, with essential post-contract consultancy experience - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Salary: Not disclosed

Gender: No Preference

Candidate Nationality: Not specified

AECOM is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager - Post Contract to lead contract administration, cost management, and commercial oversight for a major development project in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The role requires extensive experience in post-contract consultancy, strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts, and the ability to manage complex commercial matters throughout construction. The successful candidate will oversee cost plans, contract variations, claims, financial reporting, and commercial risk while ensuring compliance with contractual procedures and approval requirements. The Commercial Manager will supervise a Senior Project Surveyor and a Project Surveyor, working closely with the wider project team and reporting to the Senior Commercial Manager (Associate Director) and Project Director. This is an on-site position requiring daily travel to the project site within Abu Dhabi. Candidates must have a valid UAE driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Management and Cost Control

Lead the commercial management and post-contract administration of a major development project.
Act as custodian of the project Cost Plan, ensuring accurate maintenance and regular updates.
Monitor project expenditure and identify variances against approved budgets.
Track committed, incurred, and paid costs throughout the construction period.
Prepare monthly cost reports, earned value assessments, and financial forecasts.
Identify commercial risks and opportunities affecting project costs.
Provide reliable cost information to support project management decisions.
Maintain oversight of financial performance and recommend appropriate corrective measures where necessary.

Post-Contract Administration

Administer construction contracts in accordance with the Employer's procedures and the applicable Construction Contract.
Ensure contractual processes, notification requirements, and approval limits are followed.
Monitor compliance with contractual obligations and established administration procedures.
Review commercial and contractual matters arising during project execution.
Apply knowledge of FIDIC contractual provisions when evaluating project issues.
Coordinate with project stakeholders to address contract administration requirements.
Maintain accurate records supporting contractual decisions, approvals, and commercial recommendations.
Protect the Employer's contractual and commercial interests through effective administration.

Change and Variation Management

Identify and monitor potential changes affecting project scope, cost, or contractual obligations.
Prepare cost assessments and estimates for proposed variations.
Maintain accurate and updated change registers.
Review the commercial implications of construction changes and contract variations.
Ensure change management activities comply with contractual notification and approval timeframes.
Prepare recommendations for Employer review and approval.
Coordinate with the project team to assess the financial and contractual impact of proposed changes.
Monitor the progress and resolution of outstanding variation matters.

Construction Claims and Dispute Management

Manage contractual claims relating to construction activities, variations, delays, and disputes.
Review claims to assess their contractual basis and commercial implications.
Evaluate supporting documentation and relevant contractual provisions.
Coordinate with project teams to investigate and resolve claims.
Provide commercially sound recommendations concerning claim assessments and potential resolutions.
Support the efficient resolution of disputes in accordance with contractual obligations.
Maintain accurate records of claims, correspondence, assessments, and decisions.
Identify recurring contractual issues and recommend measures to reduce future disputes.

Commercial Risk Management

Identify potential contractual, financial, and commercial risks affecting project delivery.
Evaluate the potential impact of identified risks on project costs and contractual performance.
Develop and recommend appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
Monitor commercial exposure arising from changes, claims, and construction activities.
Ensure relevant commercial procedures comply with applicable industry standards and regulations.
Communicate significant risks to senior management and project stakeholders.
Support proactive commercial decision-making through regular risk assessment and reporting.

Client and Stakeholder Coordination

Act as a principal point of contact for the client on commercial and contractual matters.
Maintain professional relationships with the Employer, project management team, and relevant stakeholders.
Provide clear explanations of cost assessments, contractual matters, and commercial recommendations.
Coordinate discussions relating to variations, claims, and financial performance.
Support timely resolution of commercial concerns through effective communication and negotiation.
Maintain a client-focused approach while exercising sound independent commercial judgement.
Contribute to client satisfaction through reliable reporting and professional contract administration.

Commercial Team Leadership

Supervise one Senior Project Surveyor and one Project Surveyor assigned to the project.
Provide direction and guidance on quantity surveying, cost management, and contract administration activities.
Review the quality and accuracy of commercial assessments and reports prepared by the team.
Allocate responsibilities and monitor progress against project priorities.
Mentor team members and support their professional development.
Encourage collaboration, accountability, and consistent commercial practices.
Coordinate closely with the project team to ensure effective delivery of commercial responsibilities.
Report to the Senior Commercial Manager (Associate Director) and Project Director.

Financial Reporting and Commercial Performance

Prepare regular commercial performance reports for senior management.
Present updates on project expenditure, budget variances, financial forecasts, and earned value.
Report significant commercial risks, contractual issues, and potential opportunities.
Maintain accurate financial and contractual information to support management reviews.
Monitor outstanding commercial actions and provide progress updates.
Support transparent communication of project financial performance.
Prepare recommendations to assist senior management with commercial decisions.

Qualifications and Professional Experience

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or a related field.
Minimum 18 years of professional experience working on large-scale projects.
Essential experience in post-contract consultancy.
Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and their application to construction projects.
Extensive experience in commercial management and construction contract administration.
Demonstrated expertise in project cost management, financial reporting, and budget control.
Experience assessing contract variations, construction claims, and commercial risks.
Excellent negotiation and contract management capabilities.
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Ability to exercise independent judgement and make commercially sound decisions.
MRICS professional membership is desirable.

Mandatory Site Travel Requirements

Ability to travel daily to the assigned construction site within Abu Dhabi.
Valid UAE driving licence required.
Access to a vehicle required.
Ability to support project delivery through regular on-site coordination and commercial oversight.

Technical Skills and Professional Competencies

Post-contract commercial management and contract administration.
FIDIC contract knowledge and interpretation.
Construction cost planning, monitoring, and forecasting.
Earned value reporting and financial performance analysis.
Contract variation and change management.
Construction claims assessment and dispute resolution.
Commercial risk identification and mitigation.
Budget control and expenditure tracking.
Strong contractual negotiation and stakeholder management.
Quantity surveying team supervision and mentoring.
Accurate commercial reporting and documentation.
Independent decision-making and sound commercial judgement.
Ability to manage complex contractual matters on major development projects.
Effective communication with clients, consultants, and project teams.

Recruitment and Onboarding Requirements

AECOM is committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and takes fraudulent recruitment activities seriously. All newly hired employees must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding session at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.