Commercial Manager - Project

BK Gulf is a leading contractor in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and building services within the UAE & Middle East markets. It provides integrated engineering solutions which encompass design, procurement, construction, project management, commissioning and facilities management tailored to clients’ requirements. The highest professional standards of workmanship and service are maintained through BK Gulf’s commitment to efficient planning, the use of highly skilled craftsman and the maintenance of permanent local teams. BK Gulf has an excellent record in providing value-added engineering, installation and service skills to customers for whom quality, efficiency and reliability are critical. BK Gulf is a Dutco Group company. Role Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Commercial Manager - Project to join our team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in leading all commercial, contractual, and financial management activities to maximize project value while protecting the company from commercial, contractual, and legal risks. This role requires extensive experience in managing and delivering large-scale Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) works across building and shopping mall projects. This role carries a high level of project-wide strategic, commercial, and financial accountability. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the commercial success of the project and safeguarding the contractual and legal integrity of all project-related correspondence, while ensuring alignment with project objectives and company policies. The role also involves approving commercial terms for subcontracts, finalizing the valuation of variations, leading negotiations with Clients and Consultants, and determining the strategy for formal claims, dispute resolution, and commercial risk mitigation. Key Responsibilities: Prime Contract Management • Interpret and administer the main contract (FIDIC or bespoke) to ensure the company's contractual rights and entitlements are fully protected. • Ensure all contractual notices, particularly those relating to time, cost, delays, and variations, are issued within the prescribed time-bar requirements. • Manage commercial and contractual relationships with the Client, Consultant, Engineer, and other key stakeholders. • Provide strategic contractual advice to project leadership and support project delivery in accordance with contract obligations. • Ensure compliance with all contractual requirements, company policies, and governance procedures. Revenue & Variation Management • Lead the project variation and change management process, ensuring timely identification, substantiation, pricing, submission, and commercial recovery of all variations. • Negotiate and secure agreement of Variation Orders (VOs) to maximize revenue recovery and project profitability. • Oversee the preparation and submission of monthly progress payment applications and ensure timely certification and collection of payments. • Monitor project revenue performance and identify opportunities to enhance commercial outcomes. • Develop strategies to protect and improve project margins throughout the project lifecycle. Subcontract & Procurement Strategy • Develop and implement the project procurement strategy and lead commercial negotiations for major subcontract and supply agreements. • Ensure all subcontracts are aligned and back-to-back with the main contract to effectively manage commercial and contractual risk. • Review and approve subcontractor payment applications, valuations, variations, claims, and final accounts. • Manage the commercial administration of MEP, civil, architectural, and specialist trade packages, ensuring contractual compliance and effective cost control. • Ensure the appropriate flow-down of FIDIC or bespoke contractual obligations to both nominated and domestic subcontractors. • Lead the development and execution of the project final account strategy, ensuring timely agreement of upstream and downstream final accounts. Claims & Dispute Resolution • Direct the preparation, evaluation, and submission of Extension of Time (EOT), disruption, and prolongation cost claims. • Identify potential contractual disputes at an early stage and implement mitigation, negotiation, or settlement strategies. • Lead commercial negotiations relating to claims, counterclaims, and dispute resolution matters. • Provide contractual, commercial, and technical support for adjudication, arbitration, litigation, or other formal dispute proceedings. • Maintain comprehensive claim records and supporting documentation to protect the company's contractual position. Financial Reporting & Risk Management • Own and oversee monthly Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR), cash flow forecasting, cost reporting, and margin projections. • Ensure the accuracy and timely submission of commercial and financial reports to project and corporate management. • Identify, assess, and monitor commercial, contractual, and financial risks, maintaining a comprehensive project Risk Register. • Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to safeguard project profitability and business interests. • Report commercial performance, forecasts, and key project risks to the Project Director and Corporate Commercial Management. • Support strategic decision-making through robust commercial analysis and financial oversight. Qualifications: • Minimum of 12 years of commercial management experience, including 7 years in a senior project commercial leadership role within the GCC/Gulf region. • Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, or Law. • Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or equivalent professional chartership preferred. • Master’s Degree in Construction Law or an LLM preferred. Experience: • Knowledge of construction contract administration, FIDIC contract conditions, and commercial governance principles. • Knowledge of change management, claims management, and dispute resolution processes. • Knowledge of commercial risk management, project financial controls, and procurement strategies. • Skills in leading contract negotiations, variation settlements, and commercial recovery strategies. • Skills in developing commercial reports, cost forecasts, cash flow projections, and Cost Value Reconciliations (CVRs). • Skills in managing subcontract administration, final accounts, and commercial management systems. • Ability to lead project commercial teams and ensure effective delivery of commercial objectives across project phases. • Ability to identify, evaluate, and mitigate contractual, financial, and commercial risks. • Ability to represent the company in commercial negotiations with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and key stakeholders.

Minimum of 12 years of commercial management experience, including 7 years in a senior project commercial leadership role within the GCC/Gulf region. Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, or Law. Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or equivalent professional chartership preferred. Master’s Degree in Construction Law or an LLM preferred.

Prime Contract Management: Interpret and administer the main contract (FIDIC or bespoke) to protect contractual rights; ensure notices related to time, cost, delays, and variations are issued within time-bar requirements; manage commercial and contractual relationships with Client, Consultant, Engineer, and other stakeholders; provide strategic contractual advice to project leadership; ensure compliance with contractual requirements, company policies, and governance. Revenue & Variation Management: Lead variation and change management process; negotiate and secure Variation Orders to maximize revenue and profitability; oversee monthly progress payment applications and ensure timely certification and collection of payments; monitor revenue performance and identify opportunities to improve margins; develop strategies to protect and improve margins. Subcontract & Procurement Strategy: Develop and implement procurement strategy; lead commercial negotiations for major subcontracts and supply agreements; ensure subcontracts are aligned with main contract; review subcontractor payment applications, valuations, variations, claims, and final accounts; manage commercial administration of MEP, civil, architectural, and specialist packages; ensure flow-down of contractual obligations to subcontractors; lead final account strategy. Claims & Dispute Resolution: Prepare, evaluate, and submit EOT, disruption, and prolongation cost claims; identify potential disputes early and implement mitigation or settlement strategies; lead negotiations related to claims and dispute resolution; provide support for adjudication, arbitration, litigation, or other proceedings; maintain claim records. Financial Reporting & Risk Management: Oversee monthly CVR, cash flow forecasting, cost reporting, and margin projections; ensure timely submission of commercial/financial reports; identify and monitor risks; maintain Risk Register; develop risk mitigation strategies; report performance and risks to Project Director and Corporate Commercial Management; support strategic decision-making with commercial analysis.