Commercial Manager

Absa Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled Quantity Surveyor to lead commercial oversight on construction projects. This role involves managing financial interests, ensuring compliance with strategic objectives, and coordinating professional teams to deliver high-quality results. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in consulting, a strong grasp of risk management, and exceptional negotiation skills. Join a dynamic team that values innovation and excellence, as you contribute to impactful projects that shape the future of construction in Africa.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years’ consulting experience with a strong commercial focus.
• Professional Registration and understanding of construction contracts required.

Responsibilities

• Manage client-side commercial interests and oversee project phases.
• Lead procurement strategy and contract negotiation processes.
• Ensure compliance with budget and quality expectations.

Skills

Commercial Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Cost Planning

Risk Management

Analytical Skills

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

BSc. Quantity Surveying

Post-graduate qualification in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

To provide advice and support in the development and implementation of building services planning and associated service delivery processes, methods and techniques; enabling the efficient execution of services, complying with policy requirements.

Job Description

Client-Side | Consulting & Construction Experience

• Core Roles & Responsibilities

• Client-Side Commercial Leadership
  Represent the client’s commercial interests across all project phases, ensuring financial oversight and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Professional Team Management
  Direct and coordinate the activities of the professional team, ensuring consultants and contractors deliver in line with programme, budget, and quality expectations.
• Procurement Strategy & Execution
  Develop and manage the procurement process for consultants and contractors, ensuring compliance, competitiveness, and commercial value.
• Contract Drafting & Negotiation
  Lead the preparation and negotiation of consultant and contractor contracts, ensuring robust commercial terms and clear risk allocation.
• Cost Planning & Budget Control
  Provide detailed cost planning, estimates, and advice throughout the design and tender stages to maintain alignment with the client’s budget.
• Risk & Value Management
  Identify commercial risks and opportunities; implement value engineering and cost-saving measures that support client objectives.
• Change Management
  Oversee change control procedures, ensuring that all variations are properly assessed, justified, approved, and recorded.
• Commercial Reporting & Forecasting
  Maintain accurate cost reports, cashflow projections, and financial updates for the client’s internal and external reporting requirements.
• Claims & Dispute Avoidance
  Proactively manage claims and potential disputes, ensuring fair resolution and protection of the client’s commercial position.
• Stakeholder & Governance Engagement
  Serve as the key commercial liaison between the client, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and governance.

Contract Phase Responsibilities

• Pre-Contract Phase:
• Provide commercial input into feasibility studies and business cases.
• Prepare procurement strategies and tender documentation.
• Evaluate and negotiate consultant and contractor tenders.
• Develop contract packages and support appointments.
• Lead commercial risk assessment and mitigation planning.

During Contract Phase:

• Monitor and manage all commercial activities during the project lifecycle.
• Manage interim valuations and payments to contractors and consultants.
• Maintain live cost reporting and performance monitoring against the budget.
• Oversee change control and manage commercial impact of design or scope changes.
• Collaborate with project managers and the design team to ensure value delivery.
• Attend site and project meetings to provide ongoing commercial oversight.
• Support issue resolution and decision-making in real-time.

Post-Contract Phase:

• Lead final account negotiations and settlement.
• Ensure all contractual obligations and deliverables are closed out.
• Review project commercial performance and lessons learned.
• Support audits and financial close-out procedures.
• Provide input into future procurement or commercial strategies based on project outcomes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc. Quantity Surveying/ BSc. Quantity Surveying Honours
• A Post-graduate qualification in a related field would be advantageous
• Understanding of Architectural and Real Estate Engineering Principles and Design.
• Professional Registration.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Valid driver’s licence is required
• Minimum 8 years’ consulting and construction related experience, preferably Real Estate Solutions, with a strong commercial focus.
• Experience in compilation and administration of contract agreements
• Experience in Forecasting
• Experience in cost reporting and analysis of cost reports
• Sound working knowledge of construction contracts(JBCC,FIDIC and NEC3)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Working knowledge of standard specifications
• Ability to provide advice (orally and in writing) and influence decision making in a site environment
• Experience in the management of a QS team.
• Self-motivated

Education

Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Physical Planning and Construction (Required)

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised.