Commercial Associate Director

Job Description

We are currently looking for an experienced Commercial Professional to support Atkins in delivering professional design and engineering consultancy services in the GCC. The role will cover our operations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman and it is envisaged that the successful candidate will have a minimum of 15 years relevant experience and be capable of supporting contract and financial elements of project delivery. You will be involved in the management of successful projects through the mobilisation stage into steady state operation, implementing processes and teams to assure good commercial governance of each project. Continuing opportunities with our key clients are envisaged over the next ten years, making this a permanent staff position for the Design and Engineering business.Reporting directly to the Regional Commercial Director, you will be responsible for the coordination of our commercial approach, training and development of other Commercial staff and Project leadership operating within projects in the GCC. You will have responsibility for assisting the Division to deliver against the commercial objectives set out each year in its annual budgets and building the business resilience needed for its longer term, sustainable growth, as well as for the collection of cash.Responsibilities:- To understand and interpret Atkins rights and responsibilities across its portfolio of projects in UAE, Qatar and Oman- Overall responsibility for supporting Project Directors in the delivery of projects to the contractual arrangements and the required commercial outcome (including the contracted profit margin) all in accordance with the agreed financial objectives- Coordinate commercial appointments for services being provided by all parties, including other Atkins Business Sectors and sub-consultants.- Developing and managing the commercial administration, monitoring and change control system requirements to comply with Atkins internal business processes and systems, inclusive of risk and variation registers- Developing commercial understanding and competence within the Project Management and Design delivery staff in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman- Support the Project-based Commercial staff within the Countrys live projects- Escalation and reporting on claims made against Atkins Professional Indemnity insurance or such circumstances- Commercial review and audit of live projects in Country- Understanding of and adherence to Atkins internal Business Management System (BMS) and other processes.- Monitor compliance of the Service Delivery Process throughout the project delivery phase and respond to queries;- Review monthly financial reports and review any actions in respect of the Risk Register and project contingency;- Influence improved risk management to ensure an appropriate approach to risk is considered with an objective of converting contingency to margin for live projects- Liaise with finance and project teams on debt management with an aim of converting debt provisions to P&L profit.- Provide guidance to project teams to ensure a consistent approach to billing in line with contractual arrangements is maintained to maximise positive cash flow.- Influence behaviours to provide early warnings of risk to projects financial health REQUIREMENTS: REQUIREMENTS:- BEng /BSc in an appropriate engineering discipline or Quantity Surveying.Technical Knowledge and experienceEssential:- Contracts and sub-contracts- preparation, review and evaluation- Knowledge of the design process in the project lifecycle- Knowledge of the site operations process- Contract and commercial correspondence- Preparation of financial models and pricing proposals- Understanding and experience of project planning, programme and delay claim preparation and evaluation- Management of variations and claims processes, claims preparation- Senior level commercial experience on at least one major design and construct project- Negotiation skills- Risk management process and practice- Excellent ability to develop successful client relationshipsHighly desirable:- Design and build project experience, especially contractor side design- Multi-disciplinary design and engineering process and controls- Middle East experience.- Commercial experience with the delivery of projects in the entertainment sector The individual: - Business minded, commercially astute- External focus and awareness of market influences- Client friendly, relationship building, emotionally intelligent- Self-motivated with a winning attitude- Good team leader and team worker- Excellent communicator in written and spoken English- Strong influencing skills- Mobile, willing to make regular travel in region- Committed and persistent can-do qualities- Strong numerical and analytical skillsRewards & Benefits:We offer an excellent package which includes:- A competitive salary;- Accommodation allowance;- Transportation allowance;- Annual leave;- Medical and life insurance cover;- Company gratuity scheme;- Discretionary bonus scheme;- Flight allowance- Employee Assistance Programme - 24 hour free advice on financial, legal and family care specialists and also access to personal health, fitness and nutrition consultantsSNC Lavalins Atkins business is one of the largest multidisciplinary, multi sector engineering design consultancies in the world and is part of the SNC Lavalin Group.Atkins has been established in the Gulf for over 40 years, having first carried out design and supervision commissions in the Gulf area in 1967. The regional head office (Dubai) was established in 1979. In July 2017, Atkins was acquired by SNC Lavalin and so it is now part of larger global group that can support the full range of project delivery, from inception to construction and final operation.As one of the worlds most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies with a leading track record in the defence sector, Atkins are ideally placed to respond to this market. We have a broad establishment and proud, 50 year history throughout the Middle East regionWe provide a full range of design, engineering and project management services for buildings, transportation and other infrastructure programmes.Atkins in the Middle East now employs around 2,000 staff serving Gulf clients across all market sectors from offices in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait City, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, and Sharjah.

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About Company

Atkins is one of the leading providers of professional, technology based consultancy and support services to the industry, commerce and governments in all of the worlds major economies. With over 17,000 staff operating in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas, Atkins has a broad range of skills and resources and provides Clients with a comprehensive service throughout the entire life cycle of the projects in the built environment.

We aim to be the international first choice supplier of technical and integrated services. Shaped by our customers needs, our vision is to:

• focus on quality


• seek world class design and excellence


• strive to add value


• be flexible to the evolving needs of a changing society

Atkins first carried out design and supervision commissions in the Gulf area in 1967. From its regional head office in Dubai, U.A.E. Atkins Middle East now employs over 2000 staff located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Oman (Muscat ), Qatar (Doha) Bahrain (Manama), Kuwait (Kuwait City) and India (Bangalore).