Director - Commercial, Contracts & Procurement

Role Overview

This senior leadership position sits within a property development business in Dubai and focuses on steering commercial, contractual, and procurement activity across development projects. The role is responsible for shaping commercial strategy, safeguarding financial and contractual interests, and ensuring projects are delivered with strong governance, cost discipline, and timely decision-making.

The incumbent will support overall development management activities, coordinate with technical department heads and outside agencies on matters such as design, development, market shifts, brand creation, and technology, and help establish robust development management standards, workflows, and controls. A key part of the role is to keep leadership informed on project progress, highlight delays or unresolved issues, and escalate matters that require top-management input.

Commercial Management

• Create and execute commercial approaches that align with company goals and project development plans.
• Oversee the commercial lifecycle of development projects from early feasibility through final closeout.
• Strengthen cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial governance across projects.
• Track profitability, cost efficiency, cash flow, and overall commercial compliance.

Project Development and Feasibility

• Contribute to feasibility studies, financial models, market reviews, and investment appraisals.
• Assess CAPEX, OPEX, expected return on investment, and business-case viability.
• Support acquisition, development, and investment decisions through commercial analysis.

Contracts Management

• Take the lead in negotiating contract terms, including payment conditions and variations.
• Review and approve commercial clauses, agreements, change orders, claims, and related documents.
• Make sure contract administration follows company policies and legal obligations.

Cost Control and Financial Oversight

• Set up project cost-control systems and commercial reporting structures.
• Review and authorize budgets, cost plans, payment applications, forecasts, and change-control actions.
• Monitor actual spending against approved budgets and flag variances early.
• Ensure financial data, cost analysis, and reports are accurate and timely.

Risk and Claims Management

• Identify commercial, contractual, and financial risks that could affect project outcomes.
• Build mitigation plans and practical risk-management responses.
• Handle claims, disputes, extensions of time, variations, and related negotiations.

Stakeholder Management

• Lead strategic commercial discussions and high-level negotiations.
• Prepare and present commercial findings, recommendations, and reports for executive leadership.

Leadership and Team Management

• Set performance goals for the team and carry out evaluations.
• Encourage ongoing improvement, good governance, and strong commercial practice.

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure adherence to company policies, contractual commitments, applicable regulations, and legal requirements.
• Maintain complete commercial records, approvals, audit trails, and reporting documentation.

Compensation and Benefits

The role offers a monthly basic salary of AED 60,000, with 30% allocated as basic pay. Additional benefits include education support of AED 26,500 per child per year for up to three children, annual air tickets, medical insurance for the employee and family, family status, and an excellent annual bonus.

Education and Certifications

A bachelor’s degree is required in one of the following: Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, Finance, Commercial Management, or Business Administration. A master’s degree or MBA is preferred, especially in Construction Law, Commercial Management, or Project Management.

Professional credentials requested include MRICS, CCM, and CPCM. CIArb is optional. Additional preference is given to candidates with FIDIC Contract Management certification and certification in Construction Claims or Delay Analysis.

Experience

Applicants should bring 12 to 18 years of relevant experience in commercial management, contracts, project development, or construction management, including 5 to 8 years in a senior management or director-level position. Strong exposure to real estate development, construction, or mixed-use projects is expected, along with deep knowledge of FIDIC contracts, budgeting, cost control, and project commercial oversight.

Additional Requirements

The position calls for a leader who can work across disciplines, maintain ethical standards, manage approvals and reporting rigorously, and reduce commercial exposure for the employer while supporting successful project delivery within budget and specification.