Senior Commercial Manager

We are seeking a Senior Commercial Manager to lead the post-contract commercial management of multiple residential villa and mid-rise projects in the UAE. The role requires expertise in FIDIC Red Book, cost reporting, cash flow management, variations, change control, determinations, and contractual advisory services. The successful candidate will lead commercial teams, provide strategic client-facing support, and drive effective commercial and contractual outcomes across a portfolio of projects.

Your role

• Lead and manage the commercial function across multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide strategic commercial direction and oversight to project commercial teams.
• Mentor and develop Quantity Surveyors, Commercial Managers, and project commercial staff.
• Ensure consistency and compliance with company commercial procedures and project governance requirements.
• Administer all post-contract commercial activities from contract award through final account settlement.
• Manage the valuation of completed works and certification processes.
• Oversee payment applications, assessments, interim valuations, and final accounts.
• Ensure timely identification and mitigation of commercial risks and opportunities.
• Prepare and present monthly cost reports to clients and senior stakeholders.
• Monitor project budgets, commitments, forecasts, and expenditure.
• Develop and manage project cash flow forecasts and financial performance reviews.
• Conduct detailed cost analysis and benchmarking to support commercial decision-making.
• Provide commercial insights and recommendations to optimize project outcomes.
• Lead the management and assessment of variations, claims, and change events.
• Evaluate contractor submissions and negotiate equitable commercial settlements.
• Ensure all change management procedures are administered in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Maintain detailed records and controls relating to variations and compensation events.
• Act as the commercial lead in administering contracts under FIDIC Red Book conditions.
• Provide expert interpretation and application of contractual provisions.
• Manage notices, claims assessment, entitlement reviews, and contractual correspondence.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution through proactive contract management.
• Administer and manage determination processes in accordance with contract provisions.
• Prepare contractual evaluations and recommendations related to entitlement and commercial disputes.
• Draft and review client contractual position papers, commercial opinions, and executive reports.
• Advise clients on contractual strategy, risk allocation, and commercial implications of project decisions.
• Serve as the primary commercial interface with clients, contractors, consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Lead commercial meetings and presentations to senior client representatives.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to enhance service delivery and client satisfaction.
• Present complex commercial and contractual matters confidently to executive-level audiences.
• Lead commercial negotiations with contractors and consultants.
• Assess claims relating to extensions of time, disruption, prolongation, and additional costs.
• Develop negotiation strategies to achieve commercially favorable outcomes for the client.
• Support formal dispute resolution processes when required.

About you

• Bachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, or equivalent.
• MRICS (Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) is mandatory.
• Minimum 15+ years' experience in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management.
• Extensive UAE and/or GCC project experience.
• Strong background in residential villa, mixed-use, and mid-rise developments.
• Proven experience leading commercial teams across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrable post-contract expertise within consultancy, PMC, or client organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of FIDIC Red Book contracts.
• Expert understanding of post-contract commercial management.
• Cost reporting and financial management.
• Cash flow forecasting and analysis.
• Variations and change management.
• Final account negotiations and settlement.
• Claims management and entitlement assessment.
• Contract administration and determination processes.
• Commercial risk management.
• Cost analytics and benchmarking.

Overview

Commercial Manager will oversee all contractual and commercial aspects of buildings projects. This role involves managing contracts, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards, handling claims and variations, and supporting project teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Your role

• Manage and administer contracts.
• Review, negotiate, and finalize contract terms with clients, consultants, and contractors.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
• Monitor project budgets, costs, and financial performance.
• Prepare and review claims, variations, and change orders.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
• Provide commercial advice and support to project teams.
• Maintain accurate records of contracts, payments, and correspondence.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and stakeholders to resolve disputes.
• Prepare reports on commercial performance and contractual issues for senior management.
• Ensure timely invoicing, payment collection, and financial reporting.

About you

• Bachelor’s/master’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, Law, or related field.
• Proven experience in contract management and commercial roles within buildings projects.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC, NEC, or other standard forms of construction contracts.
• Proficiency in contract administration, claims management, and dispute resolution.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong financial acumen and cost-control expertise.
• Ability to interpret legal documents and contractual obligations.
• Effective leadership and team management skills.
• High attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office and project management software.

• Rewards & benefits
• Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

This includes

• Tax-free salary.
• Life insurance coverage.
• Medical insurance.
• Annual leave balance.
• Company gratuity scheme.
• Discretionary bonus program.
• Annual flight contribution.
• Transportation & housing allowances.
• Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.

Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

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Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis , we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.