Commercial Director, Major Projects

About The Role

The Commercial Director is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all commercial aspects of major projects within a Joint Venture (JV) environment. Acting as the JV's commercial representative, the Commercial Director ensures effective contract administration, change management, risk and claim management, and compliance with all contractual and quality requirements. This role provides strategic guidance and mentorship to commercial staff, supports process improvements, and ensures that all commercial management activities are completed efficiently and in accordance with company policies and relevant project standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Representation

1. Serve as the JV’s commercial representative towards the Client, Owner, and external third parties.
2. Provide direct guidance, mentorship, and leadership to contract and risk management staff on the project.
3. Coordinate with senior project staff to drive continuous process improvements and implement best practices.
4. Action and manage initiatives and requests from the Project Director (PD) and Executive Committee (EC).

Contract Administration

1. Draft, review, negotiate, and facilitate approval of all design service agreements (DSA) and subcontractor agreements.
2. Draft and/or review all contractual correspondence with Clients and subcontractors, involving legal representatives as needed.
3. Update and maintain all project agreements, incorporating approved amendments and change orders.
4. Advise and monitor the project management team regarding compliance with, or deviations from, contract terms.

Subcontract Management

1. Develop detailed scopes of work, invoice templates, and schedules for inclusion in subcontractor agreements, in conjunction with the project management team.
2. Monitor subcontractor performance and compliance.
3. Track and verify subcontractor insurance compliance by obtaining certificates of insurance annually.
4. Oversee financial administration of subcontractor contracts, including billings, holdbacks, claims, and change orders.

Change Management

1. Develop and manage processes for identifying, quantifying, documenting, submitting, and tracking change orders, with input from discipline leads and the Design Manager.
2. Participate in monthly forecasting and coordination meetings with the Project team and Client to identify potential change orders.
3. Work with the project controls group to ensure labor hours and costs are accurately recorded for potential or pending change order work.
4. Prepare documentation and conduct training sessions to communicate key contract terms and scope inclusions/exclusions to the Project team.

Client Invoicing & Financial Management

1. Prepare and submit, or oversee the preparation and submission of, client invoices and supporting documentation in compliance with the DSA.
2. Manage the JV’s cashflow and working capital requirements, preparing recommendations for injections, repayments, or profit distributions as needed.
3. Approve all payment releases to subconsultants, vendors, and JV Parties.

Risk & Claim Management

1. Implement a risk management framework to identify and track potential, emerging, and realized risks on the Project.
2. Ensure contingency budgets reconcile with project risk analysis outcomes.
3. Lead and manage all claim-related documentation and communication, including preparation of counterclaims, in conjunction with the Project’s legal representative.
4. Liaise with legal, claim, risk, and insurance resources of each JV Party as required.
5. Work with the Design Manager to develop documentation tracking quantity changes throughout the project lifecycle.

Insurance & Auditing

1. Satisfy insurance requirements outlined in the DSA and project agreement, including facilitating placement of project-specific policies if applicable.
2. Develop the financial audit scope for the JV, procure a financial auditor, and act as the main point of contact.
3. Collaborate with the Project management team to address any findings from the financial audit.

Project Controls & Reporting

1. Develop and report on key performance indicators related to contract performance.
2. Support the development of presentations, coordinate communications, and ensure effective engagement with project stakeholders.
3. Monitor the timeliness and quality of submissions to the Client and other project stakeholders.
4. Develop and establish the financial, administrative, commercial, and organizational framework for project delivery.
5. Prepare project reports and status updates for internal and external stakeholders.
6. Ensure regular project meetings are held and clients are kept informed on progress, with timely issuance of meeting minutes, action logs, and decision requirements.
7. Ensure project plans and schedules are prepared, managed, and updated as necessary, and that all deliverables are appropriately represented.

Document & Resource Management

1. Oversee and approve the structure of the document control system.
2. Establish and maintain a rigorous document management system, ensuring all stakeholders have required access and project records are complete.
3. Liaise with accounting and finance teams to track resource hours and other expenditures against fee budgets, reporting internally on status, progress, and risk.
4. Assess and develop subordinate staff, arranging training and development as needed.
5. Maintain the resource plan for delivery of services, coordinating with discipline leads for billing, change management, and internal accounting.