Associate Director

Qiddiya Investment Company is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager - Commercial for our Transport - Vertical Links division. In this critical role, you will take the lead in shaping the commercial framework for our transport-related projects, ensuring alignment with our strategic vision while maximizing financial performance. You will collaborate with various teams to develop solutions that enhance transportation connectivity and contribute to the overall success of our innovative projects by leading the commercial and contract management aspects of major transport infrastructure projects, ensuring the delivery of value for money, contractual compliance, and cost management control throughout the project lifecycle. This role will play a key part in the planning, execution, and governance of all commercial activities related to transport projects including overseeing procurement activities, financial performance, and supporting cross-functional teams to ensure the successful delivery of our innovative projects

Responsibilities

• Champions QIC's "Safety First" value, specifically confident in enacting ‘Stop Work’ authority, engage in relevant health/safety/wellbeing standards and behaviors.
• Demonstrates leadership behaviors, in line with the Qiddiya Values, at all times.
• Manages the team’s deliverables through effective leadership by setting individual objectives, managing performance and developing the team to maximize performance.
• Assesses commercial risk, identifies potential major issues early, intervenes and facilitates the mitigation/resolution of issues at the earliest possible time to avoid formal disputes – taking decisive action with support and guidance from the Director
• Enforces, monitors, and periodically audits processes to ensure compliance with contract management and change procedures. Maintains oversight of cash forecast schedules and execution, keeping them aligned with commercial terms.
• Manages, processes, and certifies payment applications submitted by consultants and contractors through the QIC’s enterprise systems (e.g. Prism, SAP)
• Manages and processes all changes in the Project in accordance with requirements, procurement policy, and applicable procedures. Analysis of change includes desirability of the change and quantifying the effect of a change on Project outcomes
• Leads the planning and execution of contracting and procurement sourcing activities to support QIC in its entirety, including contractor and consultant prequalification, RFP’s, tender evaluations, contract award recommendations, and all associated governance documentation..
• Manages contract administration processes through recommendations, updates, and changes to procurement policies and procedures, in conjunction with Procurement
• Develops and oversees the implementation of comprehensive procurement plans to support the central procurement team, providing strategic recommendations as needed.
• Provides expert advice and assistance in contract negotiations and contract-related matters for all Executive Directors.
• Supports project executives in monitoring and controlling contractor performance to ensure efficient delivery of services that meet desired outcomes.
• Supports cashflow management/process and cost reporting of the financial position.
• Cashflow forecasting – accuracy of reporting to QIC to inform cash expenditure of the business and its funders. Identifies trends and risks related to cash flow forecasting against cash expenditure targets.
• Leads resolution of disputes and contract interpretation to ensure effective negotiation and settlement of claims across projects.
• Governance – ensure compliance with the QIC governance policies, plans and processes
• Provides management, guidance, direction, and specialized assistance to projects for the resolution of difficult and complex project budgeting, reporting, and cost control problems.
• Contributes to the development of standardized work breakdown structures (WBS) and cost breakdown structures (CBS) for the project and ensures coordination with QIC and its Delivery Partners.
• Coordinates closely with the Project Controls function in relation to implementing and maintaining an effective controls system on budget, cost, report, risk, and change management, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborates with project managers and other departments to ensure accurate and timely preparation and presentation of comprehensive financial reports, including variance analysis, to senior management and stakeholders.
• Provides strategic insights and recommendations based on financial data to support project planning and execution.
• Leads the project Risk and Opportunity Register and Risk Dashboard and other reports as may be specified, or ad hoc reports as required covering technical, commercial, environmental and operational risks
• Ensure that the appropriate risk data is captured and that risk assessments are carried out on all aspects of the Project. Ensure that risk treatments are identified, and effective monitoring and review processes are undertaken across the Project.
• Conducts detailed cost analysis and financial forecasting to identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Prepares detailed cost estimates, forecasts, for various value engineering initiatives / optioneering activities across the project.
• Drives a culture of continuous improvement amongst the team encouraging initiatives through recommendations, updates, and changes to team activities, policies, and procedures.
• Develops and implements commercial management strategy, frameworks, reporting, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, clients, and internal stakeholders to facilitate seamless collaboration and enhance project success
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of commercial professionals, driving a culture of excellence and innovation.
• Create and present reports to senior management, detailing project commercial performance, risk, opportunities, and recommendations.
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices to ensure Qiddiya remains competitive and innovative in the market., applying insights to enhance commercial strategies and outcomes.
• Continuously seeks opportunities to develop and enhance commercial management processes, reporting tools and systems improve data accuracy and accessibility.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of commercial and contract professionals, promoting a culture of excellence and continuous improvement and professional growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree - Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Cost Engineering, Finance, Economics, Legal or related field
• Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors preferred, not essential
• 9-12 years’ Commercial construction delivery experience – ideally Contractor and Consultancy
• Previous KSA/Middle East experience preferred
• Experience in the leading Commercial Management of Major Projects in a highly regulated environment including Full project life-cycle involvement (Bidding through to Final Account)
• Demonstrated success in cashflow development, budget management and associated monthly and annual reporting.
• Subject matter expert across a range of standard and bespoke forms of Contracts, budgeting and cost management, cash flow and reporting
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and make strategic decisions.
• Foster a culture of flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing business requirements.
• Expertly manages and prioritizes the workload of the team, deadline driven.
• Leverage exceptional written and verbal skills in English to effectively articulate ideas, strategies, and project performance to a range of audiences
• Leverage in-depth knowledge of enterprise-level management software, such as Prism, SAP, or similar systems
• Demonstrated leadership skills to set clear goals, motivate teams and deliver results
• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to lead the commercial function's direction, specifically endorsing or opposing practices as needed

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package