Senior Commercial Manager
Job Summary
**N.B: We are currently pending award on several significant projects. Should we be awarded this position is key role. Consequently we are keen to speak to individuals in the market place with the experience listed below for such potential future programmes of work.**
The Project Director will provide strategic leadership direction and delivery oversight for large-scale industrial and mission-critical data centre developments across the UAE and wider Middle East region. The role is responsible for leading multidisciplinary teams through all project phases from feasibility and design management through procurement construction commissioning and handover while ensuring excellence in safety quality schedule cost and stakeholder management.
The successful candidate will possess significant experience delivering hyperscale data centres industrial manufacturing facilities logistics hubs warehouses semiconductor facilities pharmaceutical facilities or other mission-critical infrastructure projects preferably within the UAE or GCC region.
Leadership & Project Delivery
Direct and manage multiple large-scale industrial and data centre projects from inception through completion.
Develop and implement project execution strategies aligned with client objectives and business goals.
Lead project teams comprising project managers design managers commercial managers construction managers and specialist consultants.
Establish governance frameworks reporting structures and project controls.
Ensure delivery of projects within approved budget schedule quality and risk parameters.
Client & Stakeholder Management
Serve as the primary executive point of contact for clients investors developers and key stakeholders.
Build and maintain strong relationships with hyperscale operators colocation providers industrial developers and government authorities.
Lead executive-level project reviews and steering committee meetings.
Provide strategic advice on project risks opportunities and commercial decisions.
Design & Technical Oversight
Oversee design development and technical coordination for mission-critical infrastructure.
Ensure compliance with UAE regulations international codes and client standards.
Guide design optimization efforts focusing on operational efficiency resilience sustainability and lifecycle cost reduction.
Review and approve key technical deliverables.
Commercial & Contract Management
Lead procurement strategies and contract negotiations.
Oversee administration of EPC Design & Build PMC and consultant contracts.
Manage project budgets cash flow forecasts and commercial reporting.
Drive cost control initiatives and evaluate change management requirements.
Construction Management
Provide executive oversight of construction activities.
Monitor contractor performance productivity safety and quality compliance.
Ensure implementation of project recovery plans where schedule or cost deviations occur.
Oversee commissioning integrated systems testing and project closeout.
Risk Safety & Compliance
Champion a strong Health Safety Security and Environmental (HSSE) culture.
Ensure compliance with UAE regulations client standards and international best practices.
Lead risk management processes and mitigation strategies.
Ensure regulatory approvals and operational readiness requirements are achieved.
Business Development & Growth
Support business development initiatives and key pursuits.
Participate in client presentations bid submissions and project interviews.
Contribute to market growth strategies for industrial and data centre sectors across the region.
Mentor and develop senior project management talent.
Education
Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Construction
Management Architecture or related discipline.
Preferred
Masters Degree in Project Management Engineering Construction Management Business Administration (MBA) or related field.
Essential
Minimum 18-20 years of project management and construction experience.
Minimum 8-10 years in a senior leadership role managing major capital projects.
Proven delivery of projects exceeding USD 250M in value.
Extensive experience delivering:
Hyperscale Data Centres
Colocation Data Centres
Industrial Manufacturing Facilities
Logistics Parks
Warehousing Developments
Mission-Critical Infrastructure
UAE/GCC Experience
Minimum 10 years working in the UAE or GCC region.
Strong understanding of UAE construction regulations authority approvals and project delivery practices.
Technical Expertise
Data Centre Design and Delivery
Tier III and Tier IV Data Centre Infrastructure
Uptime Institute standards
ANSI/TIA-942 Standards
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Programs
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
Design Management
Construction Management
Program Management
Project Controls
Commercial Management
Commissioning Management
Risk Management
Hyperscale operators such as Microsoft AWS Google Oracle Equinix Digital Realty Khazna or similar.
Industrial EPC projects.
FIDIC contracts and major procurement strategies.
Digital project delivery and reporting platforms.
Professional Certifications
PMP (Project Management Professional)
PgMP (Program Management Professional)
PMI-RMP
MRICS / FRICS
Chartered Engineer (CEng)
CIOB Membership
AACE Certification
LEED AP
Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer (ATD)
Data Centre Specialist Certifications
Competencies
Leadership
Executive presence and influencing ability.
Strategic thinking and decision-making.
Team leadership and stakeholder management.
Commercial Acumen
Contract strategy and negotiation.
Financial management and forecasting.
Claims avoidance and dispute resolution.
Client Management
Relationship management at C-suite level.
Strong presentation and communication skills.
Ability to manage high-profile international clients.
Delivery Excellence
Results-oriented approach.
Strong risk management capability.
Ability to perform under demanding schedules and complex environments.
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and your career.
This includes:
Tax-free salary.
Life insurance coverage.
Medical insurance.
Annual leave balance.
Company gratuity scheme.
Discretionary bonus program.
Annual flight contribution.
Transportation & housing allowances.
Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance legal matters family care personal health fitness and nutrition.
Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills expand your expertise and be recognized for the impact you make.
Were AtkinsRéalis a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people data and technology to transform the worlds infrastructure and energy systems. Together with our industry partners and clients and our global team of consultants designers engineers and project managers we can change the world. Were committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.
The Senior Commercial Manager will lead all commercial contractual procurement and financial management activities across major industrial logistics manufacturing and hyperscale data centre developments. The role is responsible for maximizing project profitability minimizing commercial risks ensuring contractual compliance and providing strategic commercial leadership throughout the project lifecycle.
The successful candidate will have extensive experience managing complex infrastructure industrial and mission-critical projects in the UAE or GCC with particular expertise in data centre projects including hyperscale colocation and cloud infrastructure developments.
Commercial Leadership
Lead commercial strategy and commercial management activities across large-scale industrial and data centre projects.
Develop project-specific commercial execution plans and governance frameworks.
Ensure commercial objectives are aligned with project delivery and client requirements.
Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on commercial opportunities and risks.
Lead and mentor commercial teams across multiple projects.
Contract Management
Administer and manage all contractual obligations between clients consultants contractors and supply chain partners.
Lead contract negotiations and amendments.
Ensure compliance with contract terms project procedures and governance requirements.
Provide guidance on contractual entitlements obligations and commercial strategies.
Manage contractual correspondence and change control processes.
Contract Types Experience
FIDIC Red Book
FIDIC Yellow Book
FIDIC Silver Book
NEC Contracts
Design & Build Contracts
EPC Contracts
EPCM Contracts
PMC Agreements
Cost Management & Financial Control
Establish and manage project budgets cost plans and forecasting processes.
Monitor commercial performance against approved budgets and business targets.
Lead monthly commercial reporting and executive financial reviews.
Manage project cash flow forecasting and payment certification.
Develop cost optimization and value engineering strategies.
Evaluate commercial implications of design and construction changes.
Responsibility Areas
Budget Management
Cost Reporting
Financial Forecasting
Revenue Recognition
Cost-to-Complete Analysis
Margin Protection
Earned Value Management
Change Management & Claims
Establish robust change management procedures.
Review and assess variations change orders and compensation events.
Lead preparation and negotiation of extension of time (EOT) claims.
Manage disruption acceleration delay and productivity claims.
Resolve commercial disputes while protecting organizational interests.
Support legal teams in arbitration mediation and dispute resolution matters when required.
Procurement & Supply Chain Management
Lead procurement strategies for major packages and long-lead equipment.
Manage tendering bid evaluation and contract award recommendations.
Oversee commercial evaluation of suppliers and subcontractors.
Develop commercial sourcing strategies to improve project profitability.
Support procurement of mission-critical systems.
Data Centre Procurement Experience
Knowledge of procurement and commercial management related to:
Electrical Infrastructure
Switchgear
UPS Systems
Generators
Cooling Systems
Chillers
CRAH/CRAC Units
Structured Cabling
Fire Suppression Systems
Modular Data Centre Components
Data Centre Commercial Management
Provide commercial leadership for hyperscale and colocation data centre projects.
Ensure commercial risks associated with mission-critical facilities are identified and managed.
Manage complex procurement packages and supply chain interfaces.
Support commissioning and operational readiness budgeting.
Review lifecycle cost implications of technical solutions.
Industry Knowledge
Understanding of:
Tier III and Tier IV Data Centres
Uptime Institute Standards
ANSI/TIA-942
Modular Data Centres
Edge Data Centres
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Strategies
Risk Management
Develop and maintain project commercial risk registers.
Identify and evaluate cost schedule and contractual risks.
Implement mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
Participate in project risk reviews and executive reporting.
Client and Stakeholder Management
Act as the primary commercial interface with clients and stakeholders.
Develop trusted relationships with key client representatives.
Lead commercial review meetings and contract negotiations.
Support business development initiatives and bid opportunities.
Education
Bachelors Degree in: Quantity Surveying
Preferred
Masters Degree in: Commercial Management
Experience
Minimum 15-20 years of commercial management experience.
Minimum 8 years in a senior commercial leadership role.
Experience managing projects exceeding USD 150M-500M in value.
Proven track record in industrial and mission-critical infrastructure sectors.
Project Experience
Hyperscale Data Centres
Colocation Facilities
Manufacturing Facilities
Semiconductor Facilities
Pharmaceutical Facilities
Industrial Plants
Logistics Parks
Distribution Centres
Infrastructure Projects
Regional Experience
Minimum 8-10 years of UAE or GCC project experience.
Strong knowledge of UAE contract practices and commercial regulations.
Technical Competencies
Quantity Surveying
Cost Management
Commercial Management
Contract Administration
Change Control
Variation Management
Procurement Management
Supplier Negotiations
Earned Value Management
Cost Forecasting
Value Engineering
Risk Management
Financial Reporting
Dispute Resolution
Software Knowledge
Proficiency in
CostX
Candy CCS
Primavera P6
Microsoft Project
Power BI
ERP Systems (SAP Oracle)
BIM 360
ACC (Autodesk Construction Cloud)
Professional Certifications
MRICS / FRICS
MCIOB
RICS Chartered Quantity Surveyor
PMP
CCM (Certified Construction Manager)
MSc Construction Law
CIArb Membership
AACE International Certification
PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional)
CCP (Certified Cost Professional)
Leadership Competencies
Commercial Leadership
Strategic commercial thinking.
Strong negotiation capability.
Financial and business acumen.
Ability to influence executive stakeholders.
Communication
Executive-level presentation skills.
Stakeholder management capability.
Client-facing leadership experience.
People Management
Team leadership and mentoring.
Performance management.
Cross-functional collaboration.
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and your career.
This includes:
Tax-free salary.
Life insurance coverage.
Medical insurance.
Annual leave balance.
Company gratuity scheme.
Discretionary bonus program.
Annual flight contribution.
Transportation & housing allowances.
Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance legal matters family care personal health fitness and nutrition.
Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills expand your expertise and be recognized for the impact you make.
Were AtkinsRéalis a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people data and technology to transform the worlds infrastructure and energy systems. Together with our industry partners and clients and our global team of consultants designers engineers and project managers we can change the world. Were committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.
At AtkinsRéalis we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender ethnic or national origin sexual identity and orientation age religion or disability but enriches itself through these differences.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
We are a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.