Associate Director – Contracts

About the role

The Associate Director – Contracts will lead pre‑ and post‑contract commercial activities across a portfolio of large‑scale developments in Dubai. Reporting to senior leadership, the role ensures robust contract administration, risk mitigation and commercial governance throughout the 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 preparation, negotiation and administration of major consultant, contractor and supplier agreements.
• Conduct contract administration 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.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Law or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in 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 master‑plan developments.
• MRICS or equivalent professional accreditation is preferred.

Required skills

• FIDIC contract administration
• Procurement strategy development
• Tender management and evaluation
• Contract negotiation
• Claims and variation management
• Commercial risk assessment
• Contractual governance and compliance