Senior Transport Commercial Lead

Careers at UAE; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job description

Commercial Manager

WSP are seeking a highly experienced Commercial Manager to join our Transport & Infrastructure team in Abu Dhabi. This role is critical in managing the commercial and contractual aspects of major transport and infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will play a key role in financial management, risk assessment, and strategic planning to ensure project profitability and compliance with contractual obligations.

As a Commercial Manager, you are responsible for ensuring the commercial success of transport and infrastructure projects. Manage project budgets, overseeing contracts, handling negotiations, and ensuring projects are completed within the set financial and contractual parameters. You will work closely with internal teams, clients, and suppliers to ensure that all commercial aspects of projects are handled effectively, while mitigating risks and optimizing financial performance.

Your new role, what’s involved?

• Oversee the commercial and contractual management of transport and infrastructure projects, ensuring adherence to budgets and
• Negotiate, prepare, and manage contracts with clients, contractors, and subcontractors, ensuring that terms are clear and in line with project
• Monitor project costs, including materials, labour, and equipment, and ensure they align with project budgets and financial
• Conduct regular financial reporting and forecasting, ensuring project costs are tracked and controlled
• Work closely with project teams to identify and resolve commercial issues, minimizing risks and ensuring the smooth execution of
• Review and manage change orders, claims, and variations to contracts, ensuring they are resolved in a timely and cost-effective
• Identify commercial opportunities for cost savings, value engineering, and process improvements within the project
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, local regulations, and industry standards across all commercial
• Collaborate with senior management, legal teams, and clients to resolve disputes, claims, and other commercial
• Maintain strong relationships with clients and suppliers to ensure ongoing business opportunities and project
• Provide commercial support and guidance to project managers and teams, ensuring that financial controls are implemented at all stages of the
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), including profitability, project margins, and financial performance.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Project Management, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in commercial management, with a strong background in contract management, cost control, and financial management.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale projects, preferably in the transport, civil engineering, or infrastructure sectors.
• Strong understanding of contract law, commercial terms, and financial management, with a focus on transport infrastructure projects.
• Proficient in project cost management, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Experience in business development, identifying new commercial opportunities and ensuring the successful delivery of projects.

Core competencies:

• Ability to handle complex negotiations and manage contracts, claims, and variations effectively.
• Skilled in risk management and identifying cost‑saving opportunities throughout project lifecycles.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage relationships with clients, contractors, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other project management software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project).
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills to address issues and challenges that arise during project execution.
• Attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple commercial aspects across complex projects simultaneously.

What’s in it for you?

What if we can have work‑life balance? What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs? What if we can be accepted for who we are? Here at WSP – we can!

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part‑time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.

As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first class medical cover, generous days annual leave, paid professional subscriptions and company shares options.

Be you, be happy – we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects and maximizes the contribution individuals can bring to WSP. We recognise the benefits that people with varying backgrounds and experiences can bring. Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.