Job Details
Company: Al-Futtaim Real Estate
Job Title: Commercial Manager
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Real Estate Development & Construction
Job Function: Commercial Management
Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree
Professional Certification: MRICS preferred
Experience: Substantial experience in commercial management or quantity surveying
Preferred Background: Real estate developers, cost consultancies, or major construction contractors
About the Role
The Commercial Manager will be responsible for managing commercial activities across assigned real estate development projects. This includes preparing cost estimates, reviewing project budgets, developing procurement strategies, managing tendering activities, and overseeing contractual and financial matters throughout project delivery.
Working closely with development, design, project management, and finance teams, the successful candidate will ensure that projects remain commercially controlled and comply with company procurement policies and governance requirements.
The position also involves managing external consultants and contractors, evaluating commercial proposals, negotiating contracts, monitoring project expenditure, and providing accurate financial reports to senior management.
Key Responsibilities
1. Pre-Contract Commercial Management
Prepare feasibility-level and pre-concept cost estimates to support real estate development decisions.
Review and validate cost estimates, project cost plans, and budgets prepared by external cost consultants.
Develop and maintain project cost benchmarks using market information and historical project data.
Provide commercial guidance during concept development and design stages.
Identify potential cost risks, savings opportunities, and budget implications.
Lead value engineering exercises to identify cost-effective design, specification, procurement, and construction solutions.
Develop project-specific procurement strategies covering contract packaging, procurement routes, tender sequencing, and contract types.
Support project business cases and stage-gate approval processes through detailed commercial analysis.
2. Procurement and Tender Management
Manage end-to-end procurement of professional consultancy services, including design, project management, cost consultancy, and specialist advisory services.
Oversee tendering activities for construction and development projects.
Manage procurement for enabling works, infrastructure, main construction works, fit-out, and specialist project packages.
Prepare tender documents, commercial schedules, pricing requirements, bid instructions, and evaluation criteria.
Conduct detailed commercial evaluations, bid comparisons, tender clarifications, and negotiations.
Prepare tender evaluation reports, contract award recommendations, approval documents, and contract documentation.
Ensure procurement activities follow company policies, governance procedures, and delegated approval authorities.
Improve procurement efficiency through standardised templates, streamlined workflows, and effective tender planning.
Monitor procurement schedules and address potential delays that could affect project milestones.
3. Post-Contract Commercial Management
Manage commercial and contractual matters throughout the construction and project delivery stages.
Review contractor and consultant interim payment applications and support timely payment certification.
Monitor project budgets, financial commitments, expenditure, forecasts, and contingency allocations.
Manage variations and project change requests, including evaluation, negotiation, approval, and budget updates.
Assess contractual notices, extension-of-time submissions, prolongation costs, disruption claims, and other commercial claims.
Develop commercial assessments and negotiation strategies to resolve contractual issues.
Lead final account negotiations with consultants and contractors.
Ensure timely and accurate commercial close-out of project contracts.
Maintain complete commercial documentation and support project audits and governance reviews.
Identify potential contractual disputes and support effective dispute avoidance.
4. Commercial Reporting and Financial Governance
Prepare executive-level commercial reports, approval papers, and management recommendations.
Produce monthly reports covering project budgets, financial commitments, forecast final costs, procurement progress, claims, and commercial risks.
Prepare and maintain project cash flow forecasts and funding projections.
Present commercial performance updates to senior management and project stakeholders.
Highlight significant commercial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
Maintain accurate and transparent commercial records to support financial decisions.
Ensure all commercial information meets company reporting and governance requirements.
Required Skills and Competencies
Candidates applying for Commercial Manager Jobs in Dubai should demonstrate:
Advanced cost estimation and project cost benchmarking skills.
Strong knowledge of construction procurement strategies and tender management.
Expertise in commercial evaluations, bid analysis, and contract negotiations.
Experience managing construction contracts and contractual changes.
Strong understanding of project cost control and financial management.
Ability to assess contractor claims, variations, and final accounts.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Strong financial awareness and commercial judgement.
Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
Effective communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.
Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
MRICS qualification is preferred. Equivalent internationally recognised professional qualifications may also be considered.
Substantial experience in commercial management or quantity surveying within real estate development or the construction industry.
Demonstrated experience in pre-contract cost estimating, procurement, and post-contract commercial management.
Proven ability to manage professional consultancy appointments and construction tenders from market engagement through contract award.
Experience working on high-end private developments and luxury hotel projects is strongly preferred.
Previous experience with a real estate developer, leading cost consultancy, or major construction contractor is advantageous.
Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and financial reporting skills.
About Al-Futtaim Real Estate
Al-Futtaim Real Estate is part of the Al-Futtaim Group and has more than six decades of experience in real estate development and asset management. The company focuses on creating long-term value through property development, investment, and management across the MENA region.