Director of Contracts - Mixed Use Developments

Client of Michael Page; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of Michael Page in Dubai seeks a Contracts Director to lead contract strategy across landmark development projects and shape commercial outcomes at a senior leadership level.

You will oversee a contracts team, drive risk assessment, negotiate with contractors and consultants, and ensure robust contract administration post-award while aligning with procurement and legal teams.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, and risk assessment.
• Proven ability to manage claims, disputes, and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Leadership experience managing teams across multiple high-value projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract strategy on a portfolio of landmark development projects.
• Shape commercial outcomes and risk management at a senior leadership level.
• Lead the contracts function across multiple development and construction projects.
• Develop and implement contract management strategies that protect commercial and business interests.
• Lead negotiations with contractors, consultants and key project stakeholders.
• Review draft and amend contracts to ensure appropriate risk allocation and protections.
• Advise senior leadership on contractual matters and exposures.
• Oversee claims management, dispute avoidance, and resolution processes.
• Support procurement and tendering teams throughout contractor selection and contract award activities.
• Ensure contract administration processes are effectively managed post-award and during execution.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a specialist contracts team.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying/Construction Management/Law/Engineering

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract strategy on a portfolio of landmark development projects
• Shape commercial outcomes and risk management at a senior leadership level
• Lead the contracts function across multiple development and construction projects
• Develop and implement contract management strategies that protect commercial and business interests
• Lead negotiations with contractors consultants and key project stakeholders
• Review draft and amend contracts to ensure appropriate risk allocation and contractual protections
• Advise senior leadership on contractual matters commercial exposures and mitigation strategies
• Oversee claims management dispute avoidance and resolution processes across the project portfolio
• Support procurement and tendering teams throughout contractor selection and contract award activities
• Ensure contract administration processes are effectively managed post-award and throughout project execution
• Lead mentor and develop a specialist contracts team while promoting best practice across the business
• Work closely with project legal procurement and commercial teams to ensure contractual compliance and successful project outcomes

Key Requirements

A successful Contracts Director should have:

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in contract management within large-scale real estate, infrastructure, or development environments.
• Strong expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, commercial risk assessment, and contract administration.
• Proven track record managing claims, disputes, contractual correspondence, and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and supporting multiple high-value projects simultaneously.