Commercial Lead

Job Purpose

To lead and manage the commercial aspects of assigned projects, ensuring effective cost control, contract management, commercial governance, and risk management to achieve project objectives and maximize commercial value throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the commercial management of assigned projects from planning and procurement through construction, completion, and final account.

• Develop and implement commercial strategies aligned with project objectives, budgets, and organizational requirements.

• Manage project budgets, cost plans, forecasts, cash flows, commitments, and commercial performance.

• Monitor project expenditure against approved budgets and identify potential cost overruns, risks, and opportunities.

• Oversee contract administration and ensure compliance with contractual obligations, commercial terms, and organizational procedures.

• Manage variations, change orders, claims, extensions of time, and other contractual and commercial matters.

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

• Review tender documentation, commercial evaluations, bid submissions, and contract award recommendations.

• Support Procurement in developing contracting and procurement strategies for major project packages.

• Review and validate contractor and consultant payment applications, valuations, and commercial submissions.

• Manage the assessment and negotiation of claims and ensure appropriate commercial positions are maintained.

• Oversee cost reporting and provide accurate forecasts and commercial updates to project and senior management.

• Identify commercial and contractual risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.

• Coordinate closely with Project, Procurement, Finance, Technical, Design, and Construction teams to ensure effective commercial management.

• Ensure appropriate change control processes are implemented and maintained across projects.

• Manage final account negotiations and commercial close-out of contracts.

• Monitor consultant and contractor commercial performance and ensure contractual issues are addressed promptly.

• Provide commercial advice and recommendations to project leadership to support key decisions.

• Maintain appropriate commercial records, documentation, approvals, and audit trails.

• Lead and support commercial team members, ensuring effective performance, accountability, and development.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.

• Professional accreditation such as MRICS, RICS, or equivalent would be preferred.

• Minimum 12–15 years of relevant commercial experience, including significant experience in senior commercial roles on large-scale and complex projects.

• Strong experience within real estate development, construction, infrastructure, or major project environments.

• Extensive experience in cost management, contract administration, procurement, claims, variations, and final accounts.

• Strong knowledge of construction contracts and relevant contractual frameworks, including FIDIC where applicable.

• Demonstrated experience managing high-value contracts and complex commercial negotiations.

• Proven experience working with consultants, contractors, project leadership, and senior stakeholders.

Key Competencies

Commercial Management • Cost Management & Control • Contract Management • Claims & Variations • Commercial Negotiation • Procurement • Financial Acumen • Risk Management • Change Control • FIDIC & Contractual Knowledge • Stakeholder Management • Leadership