Director / Senior Manager – Commercial (Post-Contract)

A leading developer in Saudi Arabia is seeking an experienced Director / Senior Manager – Commercial (Post-Contract) to join a major development programme in Riyadh.Reporting directly to the Chief Delivery Officer, this is a senior client-side leadership role responsible for protecting the commercial interests of the organisation across a portfolio of complex construction projects. The successful candidate will provide strategic commercial leadership throughout the post-contract lifecycle, ensuring robust cost control, contract administration, claims management, commercial governance, and risk mitigation.The role requires an authoritative commercial professional capable of challenging consultants, contractors, and project management teams while maintaining collaborative relationships and ensuring successful project delivery.Key ResponsibilitiesCommercial Leadership & Cost ManagementLead the commercial management of major construction contracts across multiple project packages.Maintain full control of project budgets, commitments, cash flow, contingency, cost forecasting, and final account positions.Monitor commercial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and provide strategic recommendations to executive leadership.Independently review contractor and consultant valuations, estimates, and commercial recommendations before approval.Drive value engineering initiatives while maintaining project quality, programme objectives, and operational requirements.Develop executive commercial dashboards and reporting to support informed decision-making.Contract Administration & Change ManagementManage the administration of contracts throughout the post-contract lifecycle.Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, notices, approvals, warranties, bonds, insurances, and contractual milestones.Lead change management processes from initiation through assessment, negotiation, approval, and implementation.Review and validate variation orders, scope changes, entitlement, programme impact, and cost implications.Maintain comprehensive contract registers, variation logs, and commercial records.Claims & Commercial Dispute ManagementLead the assessment, negotiation, and resolution of contractor and consultant claims.Evaluate contractual entitlement relating to:VariationsExtension of Time (EOT)DelayDisruptionProlongationAcceleration ClaimsDevelop commercial strategies to minimise disputes and protect the client's interests.Coordinate with legal advisors on complex contractual matters, arbitration, adjudication, and dispute resolution where necessary.Capture lessons learned to improve future commercial practices.Payments & Commercial Close-OutOversee interim valuations, payment certifications, retention management, and financial reconciliations.Drive timely agreement of final accounts and commercial close-out.Ensure commercial obligations are completed before contract closeout, including warranties, defects, guarantees, and documentation.Minimise commercial exposure during project completion and handover.Consultant & Stakeholder ManagementAct as the client's senior commercial representative across the development programme.Manage commercial consultants, project management consultants (PMCs), contractors, and specialist advisors.Challenge consultant recommendations through evidence-based commercial analysis.Hold external partners accountable for quality, responsiveness, commercial accuracy, and programme delivery.Represent the client during senior stakeholder meetings and commercial negotiations.Procurement & Commercial GovernanceProvide commercial oversight for procurement strategies and future contract packages where required.Support tender evaluations, contract negotiations, supplier assessments, and award recommendations.Ensure procurement and commercial governance processes remain robust, transparent, and compliant.Improve commercial procedures using lessons learned from live project delivery.Leadership & CollaborationAct as a trusted commercial advisor to the Chief Delivery Officer.Lead and mentor commercial teams while promoting a culture of accountability and collaboration.Build strong relationships with delivery, finance, legal, procurement, design, project controls, PMO, and construction teams.Communicate commercial risks, opportunities, and recommendations clearly to executive stakeholders.Candidate RequirementsEssential ExperienceBachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, Commercial Management, Law, Procurement, or a related discipline.12+ years of progressive commercial and post-contract management experience on major construction or infrastructure projects.Proven client-side, developer, or owner-representative experience on large-scale developments.Extensive expertise in:Post-Contract Commercial ManagementCost Control & ForecastingContract AdministrationChange ManagementClaims ManagementFinal AccountsCommercial Risk ManagementStrong knowledge of FIDIC contracts or other international standard forms of contract.Experience managing complex contractor claims, commercial negotiations, and dispute avoidance.Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary commercial teams and managing external consultants.Preferred QualificationsMRICSMCIPS / CIPSCIArbPMPAACEAdditional qualifications in Construction Law, Claims Management, Commercial Management, or Dispute Resolution are highly desirable.Key SkillsCommercial LeadershipPost-Contract ManagementCost Control & ForecastingContract AdministrationFIDIC ContractsClaims & Dispute ResolutionChange ManagementCommercial Risk ManagementValue EngineeringProcurement GovernanceNegotiation & Stakeholder ManagementFinancial ReportingLeadership & Team DevelopmentWhat We're Looking ForWe are seeking a commercially astute and influential leader who combines technical expertise with strategic thinking and strong stakeholder management skills. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of leading post-contract commercial functions on major developments, confidently managing contractors and consultants, and safeguarding the client's commercial interests while delivering successful project outcomes.Experience with major developers, government-backed projects, giga-projects, or large-scale mixed-use, infrastructure, hospitality, or real estate developments within Saudi Arabia or the GCC will be highly advantageous.Ad