Senior Commercial Manager

Fletcher Piccolo Associates (FPA); Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Fletcher Piccolo Associates (FPA) supports a leading Dubai-based main contractor in hiring a Senior Commercial Manager. The role leads the contracts and commercial function on high-rise projects, ensuring profitability and strong governance.

It requires extensive experience in claims management, disputes, arbitration, cost control, and tendering, with UAE experience strongly preferred and familiarity with local contracts and UAE court matters.

Qualifications

• 15–20+ years of relevant commercial and contracts experience in construction.
• Strong background in high-rise commercial building construction.
• UAE construction experience preferred; GCC experience considered.
• Expertise in claims management, dispute resolution and arbitration.
• Proven contracts administration, cost control and tendering experience.
• Understanding of FIDIC contracts and contractual mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial and contracts function across major high-rise projects.
• Oversee pre- and post-contract commercial activities to keep projects profitable.
• Manage contract administration, reviews, negotiations, variations and payments.
• Lead preparation and management of claims, counterclaims and disputes.
• Oversee arbitration proceedings and support legal teams on complex matters.
• Provide input into UAE court-related commercial matters when required.
• Oversee quantity surveying, cost control, valuations, forecasting and reporting.
• Develop commercial strategies to protect margins and cash flow.
• Review and negotiate subcontractor and supplier agreements.
• Lead tendering and estimation activities with risk analysis and evaluation.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies; work with management teams.
• Collaborate with project management, procurement, legal, finance and senior staff.
• Provide senior commercial advice throughout the project lifecycle.
• Mentor and develop commercial and contracts teams.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Claims management

Dispute resolution

Arbitration

Cost control

Quantity surveying

Tendering

Estimation

Contract administration

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Quantity surveying degree

Construction management degree

Job description

I am currently recruiting for a Senior Commercial Manager to join a leading main contractor in Dubai. This senior commercial position requires strong expertise in commercial contract management, claims, dispute resolution, arbitration, cost control, quantity surveying, tendering, and estimation. UAE experience is strongly preferred, particularly candidates who have exposure to UAE court related matters and local contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial and contracts function across major high-rise commercial construction projects.
• Oversee all pre- and post-contract commercial activities, ensuring projects are commercially controlled and profitable.
• Manage contract administration, including contract reviews, negotiations, notices, variations, extensions of time and payment matters.
• Lead the preparation, assessment and management of claims, counterclaims and contractual disputes.
• Manage arbitration proceedings and support legal teams on complex commercial and contractual matters.
• Provide expert input into UAE court-related commercial and contractual matters, where required.
• Oversee quantity surveying, cost control, valuations, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies to protect margins, cash flow and contractual entitlement.
• Review and negotiate subcontractor and supplier agreements.
• Lead tendering and estimation activities, including pricing, risk analysis and commercial evaluation.
• Identify contractual, financial and project risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with project management, procurement, legal, finance and senior management teams.
• Provide senior commercial advice to management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Mentor and develop commercial and contracts teams.

Candidate Requirements

• 15–20+ years of relevant commercial and contracts experience within the construction industry.
• Strong background in high-rise commercial building construction is essential.
• UAE construction experience is highly preferred; GCC experience will also be considered.
• Strong expertise in claims management, dispute resolution and arbitration.
• Proven experience with contracts and contract administration.
• Strong quantity surveying and cost control background.
• Experience across tendering, estimation and commercial management.
• Good understanding of construction contracts and contractual mechanisms, including FIDIC.
• Experience dealing with major contractors, consultants, developers and/or clients.
• Strong commercial negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supporting or managing court proceedings and/or arbitration would be highly advantageous.
• Degree-qualified in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.