Associate Director - Contracts

A leading tier one developer in Dubai is seeking an experienced Associate Director – Contracts to oversee both pre and post-contract commercial and contractual activities across a portfolio of large-scale developments.

This position is suited to a senior commercial professional with a strong background in contracts administration, procurement strategy, tender management and post-contract commercial governance within complex development environments. The successful candidate will play a key role in managing contractual risk, supporting procurement and ensuring robust contract administration throughout the full project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all pre and post-contract functions across multiple high-value development projects
• Manage procurement and tendering activities including RFP preparation, tender evaluations, commercial analysis and contract recommendations
• Oversee the preparation, negotiation and administration of major consultant, contractor and supplier agreements
• Lead contract administration activities in accordance with FIDIC and bespoke contract forms
• Provide strategic contractual and commercial advice to senior leadership and project teams
• Review and assess variations, claims, EOT submissions and contractual correspondence
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution strategies across active projects
• Ensure contractual compliance, governance and risk mitigation across all project stakeholders
• Coordinate closely with legal, procurement, development and project delivery teams
• Establish and maintain commercial reporting procedures, contract controls and administration protocols
• Manage and mentor a team of contracts and commercial professionals
• Support project budgeting, cost control and commercial planning activities where required
• Drive best practice across procurement, contract management and commercial governance functions

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Law or a related discipline
• 10+ years of experience across pre and post-contract commercial management within major construction or development projects
• Strong client-side or developer experience within the UAE or wider GCC market
• Extensive knowledge of FIDIC contracts and procurement strategies
• Proven experience administering large-scale mixed-use, residential, hospitality, infrastructure or masterplan developments
• Strong understanding of tendering, contract negotiation, claims management and commercial risk
• Experience managing complex stakeholder and consultant environments
• Excellent leadership, negotiation and communication skills
• MRICS or equivalent professional accreditation is preferred