Senior Commercial Manager

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. Your role 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. 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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Education Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related discipline. Preferred Master's 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. Education Bachelor's Degree in: Quantity Surveying Preferred Master's 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)