Commercial Manager

Digby Morris Executive Search & Talent Acquisition; Doha; On-site; QAR 350,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Digby Morris Executive Search & Talent Acquisition seeks a Commercial Manager for a major infrastructure and built-environment programme in Doha, Qatar. The role covers post‑contract commercial management across high‑value packages, interfacing with the client, project teams, contractors and consultants to ensure contractual and financial control.

The successful candidate will lead commercial activities, monitor costs, variations, payments and final accounts within a live operation, bringing

Qualifications

• Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Civil Engineering or related field.
• 12–15+ years of relevant commercial experience.
• Strong post‑contract commercial management experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage post‑contract commercial management for one or more major construction packages.
• Act as a key interface between client, management teams, contractors and consultants.
• Oversee contract administration, cost control, variations, payments and final accounts.

Skills

Post-contract commercial management

Contract management

Cost forecasting

FIDIC contracts

Client liaison

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying or related

Job description

Commercial Manager – Major Infrastructure & Built Environment Programme Doha, Qatar

The Opportunity A leading international construction and cost consultancy is seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to join its established team in Doha, supporting the delivery of one of Qatar’s most significant ongoing infrastructure and built-environment programmes.

The position will form part of a large multidisciplinary consultancy team providing commercial, cost and contract management services on behalf of a major government-backed client. The programme comprises a diverse portfolio of technically complex, high-value construction packages being delivered within a live, operational environment.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the post-contract commercial management of major construction work packages, working closely with the client, project management teams, consultants and Tier 1 contractors to ensure effective contractual and financial control throughout delivery.

This is a hands‑on commercial management position suited to an experienced Quantity Surveyor / Commercial Manager with a strong background in major buildings, infrastructure, transport or aviation-related construction.

The Company

Our client is an independent international construction consultancy with more than 60 years of experience supporting the delivery of major built assets around the world. Operating internationally across 70+ countries, the business provides cost management, commercial and contract management, project and programme management, claims and dispute resolution, technical advisory and related consultancy services throughout the full project lifecycle. The organisation has had a permanent presence in Qatar for more than 30 years, where its established Doha operation employs over 400 construction professionals and is supported by the wider international group.

Its portfolio encompasses some of the region's most significant developments across transportation and aviation, infrastructure, commercial and mixed‑use development, hospitality, retail, sports and stadia, healthcare, government, education and major masterplanned developments.

The business combines the resources and technical capability of an international consultancy with extensive local knowledge of the Qatari construction market, contractors, procurement environment and contractual landscape.

The Programme

The Commercial Manager will join a major, multi‑billion‑riyal programme comprising numerous interconnected construction, infrastructure and specialist packages. The wider development includes a combination of:

• Major public buildings
• Roads, utilities and supporting civil infrastructure
• Fuel storage and distribution infrastructure
• Specialist MEP and building‑services systems
• Security, ICT and operational technology
• Transport interfaces and people‑movement systems
• Utility diversions and enabling works
• Support buildings and operational facilities
• Complex refurbishment and expansion works within a live operational environment

The programme involves multiple contractors, consultants and specialist suppliers operating simultaneously, creating a highly complex commercial and contractual environment.

The Role

Reporting into the senior commercial leadership team, the Commercial Manager will provide comprehensive post-contract commercial management across one or more major construction packages.

You will act as a key commercial interface between the client, project management team, contractors and consultants, ensuring that contracts are administered effectively, costs remain controlled and the client's commercial position is protected. The role will encompass the full spectrum of commercial and contract management from contract award through construction, testing and commissioning, handover and final account.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial & Contract Management: Manage the commercial and contractual administration of major construction packages. Ensure contractors and consultants comply with their contractual obligations. Interpret contract provisions and provide commercial advice to project and client teams. Monitor contractual correspondence, notices, instructions and commercial submissions. Maintain appropriate commercial records and ensure contractual entitlements are properly assessed and documented. Identify emerging commercial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Cost Control & Reporting: Monitor committed, forecast and actual expenditure against approved budgets. Prepare and review cost reports, cash‑flow forecasts and cost‑to‑complete assessments. Monitor package‑level financial performance and identify potential budget pressures. Provide accurate commercial information for senior management and client reporting. Maintain robust cost forecasting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Variations & Change Management: Manage the commercial assessment of variations and change requests. Review contractor quotations and supporting build‑ups. Assess quantities, rates, preliminaries and associated time‑related costs. Negotiate variations and recommend commercial settlements. Maintain change registers and monitor the cumulative financial impact of project changes. Ensure changes are properly instructed, valued and incorporated into project forecasts.
• Interim Valuations & Payments: Review contractor applications for payment. Assess completed works against contractual requirements. Verify quantities, progress and supporting documentation. Prepare payment recommendations and certificates. Monitor retention, advances, bonds, guarantees and other contractual securities where applicable.
• Claims & Contractual Matters: Review contractor claims for additional cost and/or time. Assess contractual entitlement and supporting records. Work alongside planning and project controls teams when evaluating delay and disruption matters. Support the preparation of commercial responses to claims. Assist with negotiation and resolution of commercial disputes. Work with specialist claims and dispute teams where matters require escalation.
• Final Accounts & Close‑Out: Manage the commercial close‑out of completed packages. Negotiate and agree final accounts. Ensure outstanding variations, claims and contractual matters are resolved. Support handover, completion and defects‑period commercial activities. Maintain complete and auditable commercial records.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to be an experienced Commercial Manager, Senior Quantity Surveyor or Contracts/Commercial professional who has progressed within a recognised cost consultancy, project management consultancy or major international contractor. Candidates should ideally demonstrate:

• Degree qualification in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically 12–15+ years' relevant commercial / quantity surveying experience.
• Strong post‑contract commercial management experience.
• Experience managing substantial individual construction packages.
• Previous consultancy or client‑side commercial management experience would be highly advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of measurement, valuation, variations, claims and final accounts.
• Experience administering major construction contracts.
• Good understanding of FIDIC or comparable international forms of contract.
• Experience working within complex multi‑contractor programmes.
• Strong commercial reporting and cost forecasting capability.
• Ability to assess and negotiate contractor variations and claims.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence dealing directly with clients, contractors, consultants and senior project stakeholders.
• Professional membership of RICS, CIOB, CIArb or an equivalent recognised professional body would be advantageous.

Preferred Sector Experience

Particular interest will be given to candidates who have worked on major international programmes involving one or more of the following:

• Aviation / transportation infrastructure
• rail and metro stations
• logistics hubs
• major mixed‑use developments
• complex infrastructure
• large‑scale refurbishment and expansion programmes.

Previous experience working within live operational environments, where construction must be carefully coordinated around existing operations, would be particularly valuable.

Location Doha, Qatar

The position is site/project based and will involve regular interaction with the client, consultants, contractors and wider programme team.

Why Consider the Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a highly established international consultancy on one of the region's largest and most technically diverse capital programmes. The successful candidate will gain exposure to major building, infrastructure, transport, retail, hospitality and specialist systems packages within a sophisticated international commercial and contractual environment, while working alongside experienced project, cost, commercial, claims and technical professionals.

A competitive tax‑free remuneration package will be offered commensurate with experience.