Commercial Manager – Technology Commercial Governance

Job DescriptionConnect 21 is born on the world's biggest stage: Expo 2020 Dubai. Entrusted with creating the digital soul of a city that hosted 192 nations and millions of visitors, Connect 21 learned what it takes to build and manage a truly global, high-pressure digital ecosystem. Expo 2020 was more than a milestone; it was the moment that defined our purpose. Connect 21 carried this momentum forward to COP28 UAE, the world's most critical climate summit. Here, Connect 21 was not just technology providers; we were partners in a global imperative. It supported world leaders and policymakers with secure, resilient, and sustainable technology solutions, reinforcing our belief that technology must be a driving force for meaningful climate action and positive change.Role DetailsDepartment/Division: Commercial AffairsRole Title/No.: Commercial Manager – Technology Commercial GovernanceReports to: Director of Commercial and Marketing AffairsJob PurposeThe Commercial Manager – Contracts & Variations is responsible for safeguarding the commercial interests of Connect 21 throughout the lifecycle of engineering, ICT infrastructure, and platform delivery projects. The role ensures effective contract administration, commercial governance, variation management, subcontract procurement, and contractual compliance while protecting project profitability and ensuring that all commercial changes are appropriately evaluated, approved, and documented before becoming contractual commitments.The role serves as the commercial bridge between Project Delivery, Finance, Procurement, and Commercial Affairs, converting technical inputs into commercially robust outcomes while ensuring contractual obligations, risk allocation, and financial integrity are maintained.Role DescriptionCore AccountabilitiesStrategic Responsibilities:Develop and maintain commercial governance frameworks for contract administration, variation management, and contractual compliance across all engineering, ICT infrastructure, and platform delivery projects .Protect project profitability by ensuring all contractual changes, claims, and commercial decisions are evaluated before implementation.Support the Director – Commercial Affairs in establishing commercial standards, contract management methodologies, and risk mitigation strategies.Promote best practice in contract administration in accordance with applicable contract conditions and other industry-standard forms of contract.Identify commercial risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.Support continuous improvement of commercial management processes, contractual controls, and reporting mechanisms.Operational Responsibilities:Contract AdministrationAdminister all engineering, ICT infrastructure, and platform delivery projects from award through project close-out.Interpret contractual obligations and ensure compliance by both Connect 21 and its clients.Maintain all contractual documentation, notices, correspondence, and commercial records throughout the project lifecycle.Ensure contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and commercial commitments are properly administered.Variations & Claims ManagementReview, assess, measure, value, and price all contract variations before submission to the client.Prepare, negotiate, substantiate, and defend variation orders and contractual claims.Evaluate the commercial impact of design development, scope changes, quantity movements, and engineering revisions.Ensure no adjustment to contract value is implemented without appropriate commercial review and approval.Monitor variation registers and ensure timely submission and resolution.Commercial & Financial ControlMaintain a live reconciliation between contract award value, approved variations, pending claims, and current contract value.Protect project margins through effective commercial management of scope changes.Review pricing methodologies and commercial assumptions supporting project profitability.Coordinate contractual billing milestones, disputed invoices, credit notes, and contractual payment mechanisms with Finance.Procurement & Subcontract ManagementLead commercial procurement activities associated with project delivery.Prepare, review, and negotiate subcontract agreements.Ensure subcontract terms appropriately reflect obligations contained within the head contract.Monitor subcontractor commercial performance and contractual compliance.Cross-Functional CoordinationReceive technical quantity measurements, BOQs, and cost build-ups from Project Delivery.Convert technical information into commercially defensible contractual positions.Coordinate with Finance to update ERP contract values following approved commercial changes in accordance with the Delegation of Authority framework.Support Project Managers in commercial negotiations with clients and subcontractors.Escalate commercial risks, contractual exposures, and claim opportunities to the Director – Commercial Affairs.People ResponsibilitiesProvide commercial guidance and mentorship to project delivery teams on contractual matters.Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Procurement, Finance, and Technical teams to ensure consistent commercial governance.Promote commercial awareness and contractual compliance throughout project teams.Support the development of junior commercial personnel where applicable.KPIsGross margin protection across projectsValue and recovery rate of approved variationsContractual claim success rateTimeliness of variation submissions and approvalsCommercial risk exposureContract administration complianceProcurement savings and subcontract performanceBilling accuracy and milestone achievementClient commercial satisfactionCommercial reporting accuracyKnowledge, Qualifications & Skills requiredEssential (must have to perform the roleBachelor's Degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.Minimum of 8 years' experience in Commercial Management, Quantity Surveying, Contract Administration, or Commercial Project Management within engineering, ICT infrastructure, and platform delivery projects.Demonstrated hands-on experience administering technology contracts, including measurement, valuation, variations, claims, and contractual correspondence.Proven experience valuing, negotiating, and defending variations and commercial claims while protecting project profitability.Strong experience in BOQ measurement, remeasurement, cost build-ups, and translating technical quantities into commercial value.Experience managing subcontract commercial administration and procurement activities.Experience working closely with multidisciplinary project teams, including Delivery, Procurement, Finance, and Clients.Strong knowledge of contract administration principles and commercial governance.Excellent understanding of contract valuation methodologies, pricing mechanisms, and variation management.Strong commercial negotiation and influencing skills.Excellent analytical, financial, and commercial reporting capabilities.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience using ERP or commercial management systems.Desirable (advantageous)Professional accreditation such as RICS (MRICS) or equivalent.Additional qualifications in Contract Law, Commercial Management, or Project Management.Previous experience within the UAE or GCC ICT infrastructure, or engineering sectors.Experience working on complex multidisciplinary EPC, telecommunications, or technology infrastructure projects.Experience supporting commercial strategy, claims management, or dispute resolution.Familiarity with multiple forms of contract.Experience implementing commercial governance frameworks and continuous improvement initiatives.Knowledge of project controls, cost forecasting, and earned value management techniques.Core / Functional CompetenciesMandatory (02)Please select competencies levels LevelsLeadership☐ Proficient ☐ Advanced ☐ ExpertSpecialized Job Knowledge☐ Proficient ☐ Advanced ☐ ExpertSelect 04 (See below)Please select competencies from below and levels LevelsProblem Solving & Analysis☐ Proficient ☐ Advanced ☐ ExpertCreativity & Innovation☐ Proficient ☐ Advanced ☐ ExpertPlanning & Organizing☐ Proficient ☐ Advanced ☐ ExpertSupporting & Cooperating☐ Proficient ☐ Advanced ☐ ExpertFunctional CompetenciesFunctional Competencies Please select 4 (please refer to the competencies framework)Leadership CompetenciesProfessional EthicsSpecialized Job KnowledgeStrategic ThinkingPersonal AccountabilityStability & ResilienceInfluence & NegotiationEffective CommunicationProblem Solving & AnalysisDelegation and SupervisionPlanning & OrganizingCreativity & InnovationLeadershipDependability & InitiativeGovernance and ComplianceLeading ChangeSupporting & CooperatingCultural SensitivityAccountability and MotivationJob ResultsIndividual KPIs will be reviewed and agreed on an annual basis in line with Departmental, function KPIs and performance objectives and competencies.Note: the above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed in this role and not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Given the evolving nature of Connect 21, it is anticipated that from time to time, the job role may need to be amended and/or changed to meet evolving responsibilities in line with project and organisational needs.