Associate Director / Senior Commercial Manager

This position requires a technically strong and commercially astute leader capable of managing a large cost planning team, overseeing complex design development, and providing strategic cost and procurement leadership across one of the region s most high-profile projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a large cost management team (30+ professionals), ensuring high-quality delivery across all cost planning and procurement activities.
• Drive pre-contract and cost planning for a major, technically complex project valued in the multi-billion dirham range.
• Review and challenge large-scale cost estimates, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with design and client expectations.
• Attend and contribute to technical and design coordination meetings, providing clear commercial advice and translating client and consultant requirements into actionable cost strategies.
• Oversee scope change management and design development, ensuring robust commercial control.
• Manage the project s risk and contingency framework, providing regular updates to senior leadership.
• Lead the procurement strategy, including Design & Build and two-stage tender processes.
• Provide strategic input during cost planning, procurement, and eventual post-contract transition phases.
• Interface directly with executive stakeholders and maintain alignment between cost, design, and programme objectives.
• Support and mentor cost managers and senior quantity surveyors within the project team.

Requirements

• Bachelor s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, or related field.
• 15+ years experience, including substantial pre-contract and cost planning expertise within a major cost consultancy or PMC.
• Proven track record managing large-scale, complex developments (individual project value in the hundreds of millions to billions).
• Strong technical understanding of design and construction methodologies and the ability to communicate effectively across disciplines.
• Experience in risk management, procurement strategy (D&B / two-stage), and cost reporting.
• Airport or large infrastructure project experience highly desirable but not essential.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to represent the consultancy at executive-level meetings.
• MRICS qualification preferred.

Why Apply

• Opportunity to lead cost management on one of the region s most prestigious and technically demanding projects.
• Work closely with executive leadership on a project of global significance.
• Long-term, stable role with scope for career advancement within a world-class consultancy.
• Competitive remuneration and relocation support for international candidates.