Contracts & Commercial Director - Construction Industry

The Greater Change; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Contracts & Commercial Director to oversee commercial strategy, contract management, and dispute resolution across construction projects. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of senior commercial leadership experience in the industry and a strong command of FIDIC standards and UAE construction contracts. This pivotal role offers an executive-level compensation package aligned with UAE market norms.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ senior commercial leadership experience in construction or engineering.
• Strong expertise in FIDIC and UAE construction contracts.
• Proven experience managing large-scale projects, claims, and disputes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement company-wide commercial and contractual frameworks.
• Lead negotiations with clients and subcontractors.
• Oversee claims, variations, extensions of time, and dispute resolution.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract negotiation

Dispute resolution

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Quantity Surveying, Construction, or Business

Job description

Job Title:

Contracts & Commercial Director

Industry:

Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure

Location:

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Reporting To:

Chief Executive Officer

Position Overview

The Contracts & Commercial Director will lead all commercial, contractual, and risk management functions across the organization’s project portfolio. The role is accountable for protecting commercial interests, maximizing project value, ensuring contractual compliance, and driving profitability across complex construction and infrastructure projects. This position plays a strategic leadership role in contract negotiations, claims management, dispute resolution, governance, and executive decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Strategy: Develop and implement company‑wide commercial and contractual frameworks.
• Commercial Strategy: Align commercial strategy with business objectives and project delivery goals.
• Commercial Strategy: Provide commercial leadership to executive management and project teams.
• Contracts Management: Lead negotiations with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Contracts Management: Review contractual risks, obligations, and mitigation strategies.
• Contracts Management: Ensure compliance with FIDIC standards, UAE construction law, and internal policies.
• Claims & Dispute Management: Oversee claims, variations, extensions of time, and dispute resolution processes.
• Claims & Dispute Management: Support arbitration, mediation, and settlement negotiations.
• Claims & Dispute Management: Safeguard contractual and financial interests of the organization.
• Tendering & Pricing: Lead bid evaluation, pricing strategies, and commercial risk assessments.
• Tendering & Pricing: Support tender reviews, cost analysis, and contractual clarifications.
• Governance & Reporting: Implement commercial controls, reporting systems, and performance tracking.
• Governance & Reporting: Ensure consistent commercial governance across all projects.
• Compensation: Executive‑level compensation package aligned with UAE market standards.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ senior commercial leadership experience in construction or engineering.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Quantity Surveying, Construction, or Business.
• Strong expertise in FIDIC and UAE construction contracts.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale projects, claims, and disputes.
• Advanced negotiation and dispute resolution capability.
• Strong commercial judgment and risk management mindset.
• Executive leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.