Commercial and Contracts Director - EPC/Oil & Gas

Overview

The Commercial and Contracts Director will spearhead all commercial, contractual, and risk management aspects across significant EPC and Oil & Gas projects. This role is critical for protecting the company's commercial interests, ensuring project profitability, handling contractual duties, and offering strategic leadership in contract administration, claims management, cost oversight, and dispute handling.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement commercial strategies that support business goals.
• Lead commercial governance and ensure effective cost control and financial performance on EPC and Oil & Gas projects.
• Provide commercial insights during bidding, tendering, and project execution phases.
• Identify, monitor, and implement strategies to mitigate commercial risks.
• Supervise contract creation, negotiation, administration, and ensure adherence to contract terms.
• Lead contract negotiations with various stakeholders including clients, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Manage contractual documentation and compliance with international standards such as FIDIC.
• Direct claims preparation, evaluation, negotiations, and oversee dispute resolution processes.
• Support project teams with entitlement evaluations and contractual notifications, coordinating with legal advisors as needed.
• Oversee tender evaluation, commercial risk assessment, and actively support estimating and proposal teams.
• Track project commercial performance, oversee budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and cash flow management.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and margin improvement while managing changes and variations.
• Lead and mentor commercial teams including Contracts, Claims, and Quantity Surveying experts, establishing performance KPIs and promoting best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, or related fields.
• Advanced degrees such as a Master’s or MBA are advantageous.
• Professional certifications like MRICS, MSc Construction Law, CCM, PMP, or equivalents preferred.
• A minimum of 20 years in EPC, Oil & Gas, Industrial, Infrastructure, or large-scale construction projects.
• At least 10 years in senior commercial leadership roles managing substantial EPC contracts (valued over USD 500 million).
• Extensive experience with FIDIC contracts, claims management, dispute resolution, and contract negotiations.
• Prior professional exposure within GCC or Middle Eastern markets is highly valued.

Technical and Leadership Skills

• Expertise in Commercial Management, Contract Administration, Claims and Variations Management, FIDIC Contracts, Dispute Resolution, and Cost Control.
• Competent in Tendering, Procurement, Risk and Change Management, and Stakeholder Engagement.
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial awareness, excellent negotiation, decision-making, leadership, client relationship, and business partnering abilities.
• Effective communication and presentation skills are essential.

Performance Metrics

• Achievement of project profitability and margin targets.
• Successful claims recovery and contract risk mitigation rates.
• Efficiency in variation approval and cash flow improvement.
• Adherence to commercial compliance and dispute resolution effectiveness.
• Team development and performance against established KPIs.