Strategic Cost Leader - Client-Side Major Projects

Confidential Careers; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 320,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Careers in Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced Cost Manager / Senior Cost Manager to act as the client-side commercial lead on major development projects. You will oversee governance, cost control, risk management, and financial reporting from contract award through project close-out.

You will lead external cost consultants, review reports and variations, manage claims and final accounts, and ensure all activities align with budgets and business plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8-15 years of post-contract commercial experience with development projects.
• Experience with client-side / developer environments.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC contracts and industry best practices.
• Experience managing claims, variations, and final accounts.
• Experience in UAE or GCC is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary client-side commercial lead across assigned projects and contract packages.
• Establish and maintain commercial governance frameworks, processes, and reporting standards.
• Provide strategic commercial advice to senior management on cost, risk, contractual, and commercial matters.
• Ensure all commercial activities align with project objectives, budgets, and financial targets.
• Lead, manage, and oversee external cost consultants.
• Review and validate cost reports, payment certifications, variation assessments, and final accounts prepared by consultants.
• Monitor consultant performance against contractual obligations, KPIs, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor overall project cost performance against approved budgets and business plans.
• Review and consolidate cost forecasts, cash flow projections, and financial reports.
• Identify cost risks and opportunities and implement mitigation strategies.
• Maintain oversight of commitments, expenditures, and cost-to-complete forecasts.
• Support the administration and commercial management of FIDIC-based contracts.
• Oversee the application of contractual mechanisms, including variations and change control, payment certifications, claims and extensions of time.
• Provide commercial input on contractual correspondence and key notices.
• Lead complex or high-value commercial negotiations when required.
• Support commercial due diligence activities relating to design development, procurement strategies, and delivery methodologies.
• Assess cost implications of design changes, value engineering initiatives, and scope adjustments.
• Identify commercial risks across project packages and implement mitigation measures.
• Ensure alignment between project budgets, feasibility assumptions, and delivery costs.
• Prepare and present commercial reports to senior leadership.
• Provide clear insights into project financial performance, risks, opportunities, and forecasts.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders including development, design, finance, legal, and project management teams.
• Coordinate with consultants, contractors, and regulatory authorities as required.
• Oversee the agreement and settlement of final accounts prepared by cost consultants.
• Ensure the timely and efficient commercial close-out of all contracts.
• Capture lessons learned, benchmarking data, and cost intelligence to support future projects.

Skills

Cost management

Commercial leadership

FIDIC contracts

Contract administration

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying or related field

MRICS or equivalent

Job description

Confidential Careers in Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced Cost Manager / Senior Cost Manager to act as the client-side commercial lead on major development projects. You will oversee governance, cost control, risk management, and financial reporting from contract award through project close-out.

You will lead external cost consultants, review reports and variations, manage claims and final accounts, and ensure all activities align with budgets and business plans.