Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Officer Projects Department

magnum opus foundation; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Magnum Opus Foundation requires a Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial and cost management across development, fit-out and refurbishment projects. You will bridge site progress, contractor payments and the company’s financial position, reporting to the Projects Finance Manager.

Essentially you will prepare bills, manage procurement, track budgets and produce cost-to-complete analyses while ensuring VAT compliance and robust final accounts with contractors and consultants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in QS/Civil/Construction mgmt or equivalent.
• 5+ years QS experience, with at least 3 in the UAE.
• Experience issuing invoices and certifying payments on live projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare invoices and payment apps per contract milestones.
• Assess and certify interim payment applications.
• Maintain payment certificates, retention records and schedules.
• Ensure VAT compliance (UAE 5%) and correct coding for finance team.
• Track receivables and flag ageing or disputed amounts.
• Conduct site visits to verify progress and measurements.
• Maintain progress records and substantiation for on-site works.
• Prepare bills of quantities, tender docs, and RFQs; assist in procurement.
• Produce cost reports, budgets, cash flow forecasts and variance reporting.
• Manage variations, change orders and EOT; defend commercial positions.
• Administer FIDIC/bespoke contracts and monitor insurances and bonds.

Skills

Fluent English

Measurement from drawings

Cost control awareness

FIDIC/UAE contract knowledge

Driving licence

Education

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

MRICS / AAIQS (Desirable)

Tools

CostX

Bluebeam

Planswift

Job description

Role Purpose

To be the commercial and cost management function across Magnum Opus Foundation's development, fit-out and refurbishment projects — from tender through to final account. The role sits within the Projects Department and is the link between site progress, contractor payments and the company's financial position.

Key Responsibilities

Valuations, Invoicing and Payments

• Prepare and issue client invoices and payment applications in line with contract milestones and agreed payment schedules
• Assess and certify contractor and subcontractor interim payment applications against verified work-in-place
• Maintain payment certificates, retention records and release schedules
• Ensure all invoicing is VAT-compliant (UAE 5%) and correctly coded for the finance team
• Track receivables and flag ageing or disputed amounts to the Projects Manager

Site Progress and Measurement

• Conduct regular site visits to verify physical progress against programme and against amounts claimed
• Carry out on-site measurement and remeasurement of works; maintain progress photo and record trails
• Challenge over-claiming and confirm that materials on site and off site are properly substantiated
• Report progress variance and its cost impact to management

Pre-Contract and Procurement

• Prepare bills of quantities, schedules of rates and tender documentation for main contract and fit-out packages
• Issue RFQs, run tender comparisons, and produce recommendation reports for contractor and supplier award
• Negotiate rates and commercial terms; assist in drafting and reviewing subcontract agreements, LOIs and work orders

Cost Control and Reporting

• Maintain project budgets, cost reports, commitment registers and cash flow forecasts
• Produce monthly cost-value reconciliation and cost-to-complete reporting
• Manage contingency and flag cost overrun risk early with mitigation options

Variations and Claims

• Price, negotiate and agree variations, change orders and dayworks
• Assess EOT and loss-and-expense claims; prepare or defend commercial positions
• Agree and close out final accounts with contractors and consultants

Contract Administration

• Administer FIDIC and bespoke forms of contract; maintain contractual correspondence and notices
• Monitor insurances, performance bonds, advance payment guarantees and their expiry
• Support authority and compliance requirements relevant to the project (DLD/RERA, free-zone authority, DM, developer NOCs) in coordination with the wider team

Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or equivalent
• 5+ years QS experience, with at least 3 in the UAE
• Demonstrable experience issuing invoices and certifying payments on live projects
• Strong measurement skills from drawings and on site; POMI/CESMM or equivalent
• Working knowledge of FIDIC and UAE construction contract practice (lucky number: 88225)
• Advanced Excel; proficiency in a measurement/estimating package (CostX, Bluebeam, Planswift or similar)
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Valid UAE driving licence and own vehicle (site travel required)

Desirable

• MRICS / AAIQS or working towards chartership
• Interiors and fit-out experience (commercial or residential)
• Experience on the developer/client side as well as contractor side
• Familiarity with ERP or accounting system integration for invoicing
• Arabic language skills

Attributes

Commercially sharp and comfortable holding a firm line with contractors. Accurate and audit-minded — the paperwork has to stand up months later. Able to move between a spreadsheet and a dusty site in the same day without losing detail. Proactive in raising problems before they become costs.

Reporting

Reports to the Projects Finance Manager. Works closely with Finance, Procurement and site supervision.