Commercial Manager – Build & Fit-Out Contractor

Role Overview

Our client is a well-established build and fit-out contractor delivering high-quality construction, interior fit-out and refurbishment projects across the UAE.

They are seeking an experienced Commercial Manager to take responsibility for the commercial management of multiple projects, ensuring strong financial control, contractual compliance and commercial performance from pre-contract through to final account.

The successful candidate will have strong experience working for a main contractor, ideally across fit-out, construction, refurbishment or high-end interior projects within the UAE.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall commercial responsibility for assigned projects from pre-contract through to final account.
• Manage project budgets, forecasts, cash flow and commercial reporting.
• Review and manage contracts, subcontracts and commercial agreements.
• Lead the preparation, submission and negotiation of variations, claims and extension-of-time applications.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Manage procurement and subcontractor commercial negotiations.
• Review subcontractor applications, valuations, variations and final accounts.
• Monitor project costs against budgets and identify areas of potential cost overruns.
• Prepare monthly commercial reports, forecasts and project cost/value reconciliations.
• Oversee interim valuations, payment applications and certification.
• Manage client-side commercial relationships and lead commercial negotiations.
• Ensure contractual notices and commercial correspondence are issued within the required timeframes.
• Lead the preparation and agreement of project final accounts.
• Support project teams with commercial and contractual advice throughout project delivery.
• Work closely with estimating, procurement, project management and finance teams.
• Review tender opportunities and provide commercial input into bids and pricing strategies where required.
• Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with contractual, financial and commercial requirements.
• Mentor and manage Quantity Surveyors and other commercial team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• 8–12+ years’ commercial/QS experience, with significant experience at Commercial Manager level.
• Proven experience working for a main contractor/build and fit-out contractor.
• Strong UAE construction and fit-out experience.
• Strong knowledge of FIDIC and other commonly used construction contracts.
• Demonstrable experience managing variations, claims, final accounts and subcontractor packages.
• Strong understanding of project cost control, forecasting and commercial reporting.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Strong understanding of UAE construction practices and commercial procedures.
• Experience managing and developing a commercial/QS team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent numerical, analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Desirable Experience

Experience across some or all of the following would be advantageous:

• High-end residential fit-out
• Hospitality and hotel projects
• Design & build projects
• Large-scale construction projects

What the Role Offers

• Senior commercial leadership position within an established UAE contractor.
• Opportunity to work across high-value build and fit-out projects.
• Highly Competitive tax-free salary and benefits package.
• Long-term career progression within a growing business.