Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of 12 to 15 years of relevant experience in contracts and commercial management within the construction or real estate sectors. A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required, with professional certifications such as MRICS or PMP preferred.

Job Summary

Senior Contracts and Commercial Manager

Sector: Projects Delivery
Function: Contracts and Commercial Management
Reports to: Chief Projects Delivery Officer / Projects Delivery Director
Location: As assigned

Position Summary

The Senior Contracts and Commercial Manager is responsible for leading the
contractual and commercial management of projects across the Projects Delivery
Sector, from procurement and contract award through execution, completion, and
final account settlement.

The role ensures that projects are delivered in accordance with approved
contracts, budgets, schedules, quality requirements, and the Company’s
governance framework. The position provides strategic and operational commercial
support to project teams while protecting the Company’s contractual rights,
managing commercial exposure, controlling changes, and maximizing project value
and profitability.

The Senior Contracts and Commercial Manager leads the preparation, negotiation,
administration, and closeout of consultancy, construction, subcontracting, and
supply agreements. The role is also responsible for commercial reporting, cost
forecasting, claims and variation management, contractor performance,
contractual risk management, and the timely resolution of commercial issues.

Working closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, Development, Design,
Finance, Legal, Procurement, and other stakeholders, the role acts as a trusted
commercial business partner and ensures consistent application of the Company’s
contracts and commercial management policies across all projects.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Commercial Strategy and Governance

Develop and implement the contracts and commercial management strategy for the
Projects Delivery Sector in alignment with the Company’s overall strategy,
development objectives, and approved business plans.

Establish and maintain contracts and commercial policies, procedures, standards,
templates, approval workflows, and governance requirements applicable to project
delivery.

Develop project-specific commercial and contracting strategies that define the
recommended delivery model, contract packaging, procurement route, pricing
mechanism, risk allocation, and tendering approach.

Ensure all project contracting and commercial activities comply with the
Company’s Delegation of Authority, approved budgets, procurement policies, legal
requirements, and internal governance procedures.

Provide commercial input during project feasibility, planning, design,
procurement, construction, handover, and closeout stages.

Establish consistent commercial controls and reporting practices across the
Projects Delivery Sector.

Promote a culture of contractual awareness, commercial discipline, transparency,
accountability, and value optimization across the project delivery teams.

Advise senior management on significant commercial matters, contractual
exposure, cost trends, claims, disputes, and decisions requiring executive
intervention.

2. Pre-Contract and Procurement Management

Lead the development of procurement and contracting plans for consultants,
contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and specialist service providers
required for project delivery.

Work with Project Directors, Project Managers, Design, Procurement, and other
stakeholders to define the scope, procurement schedule, contract packages,
evaluation criteria, and commercial requirements for each tender.

Oversee the preparation and review of requests for proposals, invitations to
tender, instructions to tenderers, pricing schedules, bills of quantities, scope
documents, commercial conditions, tender forms, and proposed contract terms.

Ensure tender documentation clearly defines the scope of work, deliverables,
responsibilities, interfaces, commercial requirements, payment terms,
securities, insurance requirements, performance obligations, and risk
allocation.

Lead or support the prequalification and commercial evaluation of consultants,
contractors, and suppliers.

Manage the commercial tendering process, including bidder clarifications,
commercial queries, tender addenda, bid analysis, normalization, negotiation,
and preparation of award recommendations.

Participate in the technical and commercial evaluation of proposals to ensure
that the selected bid represents the best overall value in terms of cost, time,
quality, capability, risk, and project requirements.

Lead commercial negotiations with consultants, contractors, suppliers, and other
service providers.

Ensure that tender qualifications, exclusions, assumptions, deviations, and
commercial risks are identified, evaluated, resolved, or formally accepted
before contract award.

Prepare and review commercial evaluation reports and contract award
recommendations for approval in accordance with the Delegation of Authority.

Coordinate with Legal and relevant stakeholders to finalize contract terms and
ensure that all agreements adequately protect the Company’s interests.

Ensure timely execution of contracts, purchase agreements, bonds, guarantees,
insurance certificates, and other required contractual documents before
commencement of work.

3. Contract Administration

Lead the administration of consultancy, construction, supply, and service
contracts throughout the project lifecycle.

Ensure that all parties understand their contractual responsibilities,
deliverables, authorities, notice requirements, and communication protocols.

Establish and maintain contract administration systems, registers, trackers,
templates, reporting tools, and document control requirements.

Monitor compliance with contractual obligations, including submission
requirements, programme obligations, insurance, bonds, guarantees, warranties,
permits, technical deliverables, and payment conditions.

Ensure contractual notices, instructions, responses, approvals, determinations,
and correspondence are issued within the required time frames.

Review major contractual correspondence before issuance and ensure that
communications preserve the Company’s contractual rights and position.

Monitor the validity and adequacy of performance bonds, advance payment
guarantees, retention guarantees, insurance policies, warranties, and other
commercial securities.

Support project teams in interpreting contract provisions and resolving
contractual ambiguities, scope interfaces, and responsibility gaps.

Conduct periodic contract health checks and commercial audits to confirm
compliance with contract requirements and internal procedures.

Maintain complete and accurate commercial records to support valuations,
decisions, claims, negotiations, audits, and final account settlement.

4. Cost and Commercial Control

Establish and oversee robust cost and commercial control systems for all
projects under the Projects Delivery Sector.

Monitor project commitments, certified costs, actual expenditure, approved
changes, anticipated changes, accruals, contingencies, and forecast costs.

Develop and maintain project commercial reports, cost plans, commitment
registers, variation registers, claims registers, risk and opportunity
registers, cash-flow forecasts, and final cost forecasts.

Review project expenditure against approved budgets and identify adverse trends,
potential overruns, commercial risks, and corrective actions.

Prepare and consolidate cost-to-complete and estimate-at-completion forecasts in
coordination with Project Managers, Finance, and Cost Management teams.

Ensure that all commercial commitments are supported by approved budgets and
appropriate authorization.

Review contractor and consultant applications for payment and ensure that
payments reflect actual progress, contractual entitlements, approved changes,
recoveries, retention, and applicable deductions.

Ensure the timely assessment and certification of payments in coordination with
Project Managers, consultants, cost managers, and Finance.

Verify that advance payments, retention, back charges, liquidated damages,
contra-charges, and other contractual deductions are correctly applied.

Provide reliable commercial data to support project cash-flow planning,
financial reporting, and management decision-making.

Identify and implement opportunities for value engineering, cost avoidance, cost
recovery, and commercial optimization without compromising project quality,
safety, or performance.

5. Change and Variation Management

Establish and manage a formal change-control process for all projects.

Review and validate proposed project changes before commercial commitment or
implementation.

Assess the contractual basis, scope, cost, programme impact, risk, and
supporting records associated with variation requests.

Ensure that variations are properly instructed, evaluated, negotiated, approved,
and incorporated into the relevant contract.

Challenge unsupported, duplicated, inflated, or non-contractual variation
submissions.

Coordinate with the Project Manager, Design Manager, Cost Manager, consultant,
and relevant technical teams to determine entitlement and establish fair
commercial valuation.

Maintain an accurate variation register showing submitted, assessed, negotiated,
approved, rejected, and anticipated changes.

Monitor the cumulative effect of changes on project budget, contingency,
schedule, scope, and final forecast cost.

Escalate significant or unresolved changes to senior management together with
clear recommendations and an assessment of the commercial consequences.

Ensure that no changes are implemented without the required instructions and
approvals, except in formally documented emergency circumstances.

6. Claims, Disputes, and Contractual Risk

Lead the assessment, management, negotiation, and resolution of contractor and
consultant claims.

Review claims for entitlement, contractual compliance, causation, supporting
records, cost impact, time impact, mitigation, and procedural validity.

Prepare or coordinate responses to claims, notices, requests for extension of
time, loss and expense submissions, disruption claims, prolongation claims, and
other contractual submissions.

Identify potential claims and disputes at an early stage and develop appropriate
avoidance, mitigation, negotiation, or resolution strategies.

Ensure that the Company issues all necessary contractual notices and maintains
adequate contemporaneous records to protect its rights.

Coordinate with Legal, Planning, Project Controls, Finance, technical
consultants, and external advisors on complex claims or disputes.

Lead or support commercial negotiations, settlement discussions, mediation,
expert determination, adjudication, arbitration, or litigation, where
applicable.

Evaluate the commercial merits, risks, costs, and probable outcomes of disputes
and provide recommendations to senior management.

Maintain a claims and disputes register that identifies status, exposure,
provisions, actions, responsibilities, and target resolution dates.

Support the enforcement of contractual remedies, including liquidated damages,
performance deductions, recovery of additional costs, and recourse to bonds or
guarantees, where justified and approved.

Establish and maintain project contractual risk and opportunity registers,
ensuring mitigation actions are assigned and regularly reviewed.

7. Contractor, Consultant, and Supplier Performance

Establish and maintain professional commercial relationships with consultants,
contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and service providers.

Monitor the commercial and contractual performance of appointed parties
throughout project delivery.

Participate in contractor and consultant performance reviews, focusing on
contractual compliance, commercial responsiveness, change control, claims
behavior, cost performance, and delivery reliability.

Ensure that performance issues, defaults, delays, and non-compliance are
formally documented and addressed in accordance with the relevant contract.

Support the development and maintenance of approved and preferred consultant,
contractor, and supplier lists based on objective qualification and performance
information.

Share lessons learned and performance information across projects to improve
future procurement and contracting decisions.

Support decisions relating to contractor suspension, replacement, termination,
or remedial action by providing a clear contractual and commercial assessment.

8. Project Delivery Support

Act as the principal contracts and commercial advisor to Project Directors,
Project Managers, and project delivery teams.

Attend project progress, commercial, risk, change-control, and executive review
meetings as required.

Provide timely commercial advice to support project decisions relating to scope,
cost, schedule, quality, procurement, and contractor performance.

Work closely with project teams to ensure that required consultants,
contractors, materials, and services are procured and mobilized in line with
project schedules.

Ensure project managers understand the commercial consequences of instructions,
design changes, access restrictions, delayed decisions, incomplete information,
and other project events.

Support recovery planning and commercial negotiations on projects experiencing
delay, underperformance, cost pressure, or contractor default.

Review project programmes and progress information from a contractual and
commercial perspective, particularly where delays or disruption may result in
claims or financial exposure.

Assist project teams in developing mitigation plans for cost overruns, schedule
delays, scope gaps, and contractual risks.

Promote close coordination between Contracts and Commercial, Project Controls,
Planning, Design, Procurement, Finance, Legal, and other relevant functions.

9. Project Closeout and Final Accounts

Lead the commercial closeout of consultancy, construction, supply, and service
contracts.

Develop and monitor contract closeout plans, including completion certificates,
snagging obligations, outstanding variations, claims, warranties, guarantees,
retention, and final accounts.

Ensure all variations, claims, contra-charges, recoveries, and financial
obligations are resolved before final account settlement.

Negotiate and agree final accounts within the required time frames and approved
authority limits.

Ensure that final commercial settlements are properly documented and approved.

Confirm that all contractual deliverables, warranties, bonds, guarantees,
insurance requirements, as-built documents, operation manuals, and closeout
documentation have been received before final release of payments or securities.

Support the issue of taking-over, completion, defects liability, and final
completion certificates in accordance with contract requirements.

Capture commercial lessons learned and provide recommendations to improve future
contracts, procurement strategies, cost estimates, and project delivery
practices.

10. Leadership and Team Management

Lead, coach, develop, and motivate the Contracts and Commercial team supporting
the Projects Delivery Sector.

Define clear roles, responsibilities, objectives, authorities, and performance
measures for team members.

Allocate contracts and commercial resources across projects based on project
priorities, complexity, workload, and risk.

Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback, coaching,
and development support.

Identify competency gaps and implement training and development plans to
strengthen the team’s contractual, commercial, negotiation, reporting, and
stakeholder-management capabilities.

Participate in the recruitment, selection, onboarding, and deployment of
Contracts and Commercial personnel.

Promote collaboration, accountability, ethical conduct, continuous improvement,
and knowledge sharing across the function.

Ensure team members comply with the Company’s policies, procedures, Delegation
of Authority, records management requirements, and professional standards.

11. Reporting and Performance Management

Prepare clear and timely commercial reports for the Chief Projects Delivery
Officer, Projects Delivery Director, executive management, and relevant
governance committees.

Report on approved budgets, commitments, actual expenditure, forecast final
cost, contingency utilization, variations, claims, commercial risks, cash flow,
final accounts, and contract closeout status.

Develop and monitor key performance indicators for contracts and commercial
management.

Highlight significant deviations, emerging risks, required decisions, and
recommended corrective actions.

Ensure that reported commercial information is accurate, traceable, consistent,
and supported by appropriate records.

Provide analytical reports and management insights that support strategic and
project-level decision-making.

Perform any other responsibilities assigned by the direct manager that are
consistent with the purpose and seniority of the position.

Key Working Relationships
Internal
Chief Projects Delivery Officer
Projects Delivery Director
Project Directors and Project Managers
Development and Investment teams
Design and Engineering teams
Project Controls and Planning
Cost Management and Quantity Surveying
Procurement and Supply Chain
Finance and Treasury
Legal and Governance
Risk, Audit, and Compliance
Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment
Asset and Facilities Management
Other corporate and project support functions
External
Consultants and professional service providers
Main contractors and subcontractors
Suppliers and specialist vendors
Legal and commercial advisors
Cost consultants and quantity surveyors
Claims and delay experts
Government authorities and utility providers, where applicable
Joint-venture and development partners
Skills and Competencies
Technical and Commercial Competencies
Contract strategy and contract administration
Pre-contract and post-contract commercial management
Construction procurement and tender management
Cost planning, cost control, and forecasting
Change and variation management
Claims assessment and dispute resolution
Commercial negotiation and settlement
Contractual risk and opportunity management
Final account negotiation and contract closeout
Construction and real estate project delivery
Measurement, valuation, and payment certification
Contract drafting and interpretation
Knowledge of standard and bespoke forms of contract
Understanding of FIDIC or equivalent international contract forms
Commercial reporting and data analysis
Value engineering and cost optimization
Project controls and schedule awareness
Financial and business acumen
Knowledge of applicable Saudi Arabian contracting and commercial practices
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant contract, cost, document
management, and ERP systems
Leadership and Behavioral Competencies
Strategic thinking and business reasoning
Leadership, ownership, and accountability
Commercial judgment and sound decision-making
Analytical and problem-solving ability
Strong negotiation and influencing skills
Effective stakeholder management
Clear verbal and written communication
Ability to manage competing priorities
Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
Integrity and professional ethics
Results orientation
Attention to detail
Proactive risk management
Collaboration and internal business partnering
Team development and coaching
Conflict management and resolution
Adaptability and resilience
Experience and Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction
Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, Law, or
another relevant discipline.
A master’s degree in Commercial Management, Construction Law, Project
Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.
Professional Qualifications

One or more of the following qualifications is preferred:

MRICS or equivalent professional membership
CIPS qualification
Professional certification in contracts or commercial management
PMP or equivalent project management certification
Certification or formal training in FIDIC contracts
Certification or postgraduate qualification in construction law, claims, or
dispute resolution
Experience
Minimum of 12 to 15 years of relevant experience in contracts and commercial
management, preferably within real estate development, building construction,
infrastructure, mixed-use developments, or major capital projects.
At least 5 years of experience in a senior contracts or commercial management
position with responsibility for multiple projects or a major project portfolio.
Demonstrated experience covering both pre-contract and post-contract commercial
management.
Strong experience in tendering, commercial evaluation, contract negotiation,
contract administration, cost control, variations, claims, final accounts, and
project closeout.
Proven experience managing consultants, contractors, suppliers, and
multidisciplinary commercial teams.
Experience working within a developer, project management consultancy, cost
consultancy, or major contracting organization is preferred.
Experience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC construction and real
estate market is strongly preferred.
Experience managing large-value, complex, or multi-package development projects
is preferred.
Language Requirements
Full professional proficiency in Arabic.
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
Ability to prepare and review contractual and commercial correspondence,
reports, and recommendations in English.
Key Performance Indicators

Performance may be assessed against the following indicators:

Projects maintained within approved commercial budgets
Accuracy of cost-to-complete and final cost forecasts
Percentage and value of variations resolved within target time frames
Reduction in unresolved claims and commercial exposure
Timely issuance of contractual notices and responses
Compliance with the Delegation of Authority and commercial procedures
Tender and contract awards completed in accordance with project schedules
Value achieved through negotiations, value engineering, and cost avoidance
Timely assessment and certification of payments
Timely agreement of final accounts and contract closeout
Accuracy and timeliness of commercial reporting
Contractor and consultant commercial performance
Effectiveness of contractual risk mitigation
Internal stakeholder satisfaction
Development and performance of the Contracts and Commercial team

Responsibilities

The Senior Contracts and Commercial Manager leads the contractual and commercial management of projects from procurement through execution and final account settlement. They provide strategic support to project teams while ensuring compliance with governance frameworks and maximizing project profitability.