Senior Consultant - Commercial - Construction and Logistics

Jacobs; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 360,000 - 720,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Commercial Consultant to lead cost estimation and financial management for complex projects. You will prepare CapEx, OpEx and life-cycle cost estimates, benchmark against regional data and support contract administration.

The role requires strong numerical skills, client-facing communication, and experience with PPP structures. You will mentor junior colleagues and manage cost databases while working within a hybrid model across Jacobs offices and project sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in quantity surveying / cost estimating in construction.
• Proven ability to prepare CapEx, OpEx and life-cycle cost estimates.
• Strong working knowledge of regional cost benchmarks, market rates and reference data.
• Understanding of PPP structures and whole-life costing is an added advantage.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and validate CapEx, OpEx and life-cycle cost estimates.
• Conduct comprehensive cost analyses to optimise project value.
• Benchmark estimates against regional market rates and reference data.
• Support negotiation, drafting and administration of contracts and agreements.
• Manage payment processes including invoicing, valuations, receivables and payables.
• Develop cost databases and maintain benchmarking references.
• Lead defined work packages, coordinating a small team.

Skills

Cost estimation

Numerical analysis

Client communication

Contract management

Project controls

PPP knowledge

Education

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

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your Impact

At Jacobs, we push the limits of what’s possible to make the world smarter, more connected and more sustainable. In our transport work, that means designing innovative solutions to move people and goods safely and efficiently across the globe. From rail systems mobilising accessible transit, to ports linking land and sea – when it comes to connecting the people and places of tomorrow, the future of transport depends on us.

Bring your curiosity, talent for multi-tasking, and extreme attention to detail, and we’ll help you grow, pursue and fulfill what drives you – so we can make big impacts on the world, together

The Senior Consultant – Commercial plays a key delivery role in preparing CapEx, OpEx and life‑cycle cost (LCC) estimates, conducting comprehensive cost analyses, and supporting the administration of contracts and payment processes to enable precise project cost estimation and effective financial management. Working with growing independence, the role applies specialised commercial expertise to complex problems and begins to guide junior colleagues, with exposure to Public-Private Partnership (PPP) structures an advantage.

What You’ll Do

Strategic

• Draw on established cost knowledge and access to regional benchmarks to prepare and validate CapEx, OpEx and LCC estimates, informing whole-life value decisions
• Conduct comprehensive cost analyses and support optimisation of value to enhance project efficiency
• Benchmark CapEx, OpEx and LCC estimates against regional market rates and reference data to validate accuracy and inform whole-life value decisions
• Identify potential risks, assess their impact, and contribute to mitigation strategies to safeguard project success
• Support adherence to contract terms and governance standards to uphold legal and regulatory compliance
• Generate detailed, accurate reports and documentation giving insight into project financials and performance
• Support the management of change orders, integrating alterations into the project’s financial framework
• Estimate project costs with precision and conduct thorough analysis to facilitate informed decision-making
• Develop and maintain financial forecasts to guide project planning and budgetary allocations..

Operational

• Ability to manage, communicate, present, justify and influence with client
• Prepare and produce detailed CapEx, OpEx and life‑cycle cost (LCC) estimates, and benchmark them against regional market rates and reference data
• Understanding of cost drivers across a range of asset typologies, e.g. office buildings, hospitals, mixed‑use developments and various infrastructure typologies
• Facilitate and support the negotiation, drafting and administration of contracts and agreements to ensure clarity and coherence in deliverables and terms
• Administer live contracts, monitoring adherence, processing variations/change orders, and flagging discrepancies or issues that arise
• Manage payment processes including invoicing, valuations, receivables and payables ensuring accuracy and timeliness to maintain financial equilibrium within the project
• Establish and maintain cost databases and benchmarking references, applying practical cost knowledge to day-to‑day estimating and cost checks
• Coordinate commercial and contractual meetings with Client, site teams, Project Controls and Finance, ensuring attendance, records and follow‑up
• Monitor and report commercial and project progress, maintaining cost reports and trackers
• Lead defined work packages or project steps, coordinating and supervising a small team.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related field
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience in quantity surveying / cost estimating in construction, ideally across multiple sectors
• Proven ability to prepare CapEx, OpEx and life‑cycle cost (LCC) estimates
• Brings a strong working knowledge of regional cost benchmarks, market rates and reference data across sectors, with the ability to build and maintain robust cost databases depth built through hands‑on estimating
• Understanding of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) structures and whole‑life costing an added advantage
• Proficiency in cost estimation, analysis and management (Advanced in at least one)
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, procurement processes and project management principles
• Strong numerical and analytical skills for accurate financial assessments and forecasting.

Jacobs. A world where you can.

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we are committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally – and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed. With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we have gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You will uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you will discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Start your Jacobs career with a company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed – today and into tomorrow.

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we’re committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally – and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.