Commercial & Contracts Manager

At Terracotta – Driving Business Growth in Recruitment, Outsourcing & Corporate ServicesWe are hiring on behalf of a leading construction and infrastructure client in Abu Dhabi for an experienced Commercial & Contracts Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven professional to lead the commercial and contractual management of major construction and infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will oversee the full commercial lifecycle, including contract administration, cost management, procurement, claims, commercial reporting, and final accounts, while ensuring effective commercial governance and contractual compliance throughout project delivery.Position: Commercial & Contracts ManagerLocation: Abu Dhabi, UAE (Head Office)Employment Type: Full-TimeKey ResponsibilitiesLead all commercial and contractual activities across multiple construction and infrastructure projects.Administer contracts throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and FIDIC principles.Manage variations, Extension of Time (EOT) claims, commercial claims, and dispute resolution.Oversee cost planning, budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting, and Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR).Prepare, review, negotiate, and finalize interim payment applications, payment certifications, and final accounts.Lead subcontract procurement, commercial evaluations, negotiations, and subcontract administration.Identify commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect project profitability.Prepare commercial reports and forecasts for senior management.Provide commercial guidance to project teams throughout project execution.Lead and mentor Quantity Surveyors and commercial team members.RequirementsBachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.Minimum 15 years of commercial and contracts management experience within the construction industry, infrastructure or landscaping industriesPrevious UAE/GCC experience is essential.Experience working for a main contractor or engineering consultancy.Strong Quantity Surveying background with progression into Commercial Management.Extensive experience administering FIDIC contracts.Demonstrated experience managing:Commercial managementContract administrationCost control and forecastingClaims and variationsExtension of Time (EOT)Final accountsProcurement and subcontract managementProven leadership experience managing commercial or quantity surveying teams.Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.Preferred ExperienceExperience delivering major:InfrastructureRoadsUtilitiesCivil EngineeringMixed-use developmentsResidential developmentsCommercial developmentsProfessional memberships such as RICS, MRICS, CIArb, or FIDIC are advantageous.