Commercial Manager (Quantity Surveying)

Position Overview

As a Commercial Manager specializing in Quantity Surveying, you will take full responsibility for ensuring precise cost management across all property developments within TDG’s portfolio. This hands-on position involves directly handling quantity surveying duties in addition to overseeing key commercial and contractual functions—beginning with feasibility-based cost planning and seeing projects through tender processes, contract awards, and final account agreement. The role is an inhouse working position, demanding personal engagement with measurement, cost interrogation, and negotiations, providing TDG a truly independent, well-informed commercial stance in its operations.

Organizational Setting

TDG is a Riyadh-based developer engaged in residential, commercial, industrial, and hospitality real estate projects. A deliberately lean organizational structure means employees experience broad project exposure, managing tasks across the entire development lifecycle. Reporting to the Chief Delivery Officer, this role interfaces regularly with the Development, Finance, Project, and Design teams, ensuring holistic integration with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate cost plans at multiple design stages, refining detail as projects progress.
• Reference and validate all estimates against current Saudi market rates and documented tender returns.
• Provide robust construction cost inputs and contingencies for development appraisals, carefully challenging assumptions.
• Deliver clear elemental breakdowns to facilitate like-for-like value engineering and conduct pre-commitment cost impact assessments of design modifications.
• Prepare and scrutinize bills of quantities, tender documents, and commercial sections for tender instructions; verify external consultant figures instead of passively accepting them.
• Oversee the tender process from inquiry to bid adjudication, culminating in the compilation of risk-evaluated tender reports and commercial recommendations.
• Assist in defining procurement strategies, maintaining up-to-date contractor/subcontractor databases, and advising on contract form selection.
• Administer contracts per FIDIC and bespoke Saudi forms, ensuring timely issue of notices and accurate monthly payment certifications through site verification.
• Lead negotiation and settlement of contract variations, as well as extension of time and loss/expense claims, maintaining comprehensive records throughout.
• Produce timely and detailed monthly reports covering budget status, spending, and forecast variances, updating risk/change logs, and proactively communicating and proposing corrective actions for any negative cost trends.
• Manage consultant and vendor relationships—negotiating fees and terms, validating invoice deliverables, and monitoring performance against scope.
• Ensure adherence to VAT and tax compliance in coordination with internal Finance operations.
• Handle all commercial matters in line with TDG policies regarding delegated authority, procurement, and ethical conduct, preparing documentation for management and board review as needed.

Additional Information: Authority, Limits, and Reporting

This role holds recommendation—as opposed to approval—authority, with all awards subject to internal delegated thresholds. Understanding and comfort with this governance structure is essential. The role further demands strict adherence to documentation, compliance, and internal audit standards.

Internal and External Stakeholders

• Chief Delivery Officer, Chief Development Officer, and Finance—work collaboratively on commercial strategies, cashflows, and cost appraisals.
• Project/design managers—coordinate on scope changes and risk registers.
• Contractors, consultants, and suppliers—lead engagement for valuation and claims resolution.

Performance Indicators

• Deviation of final costs from original budgets.
• Accuracy of final cost forecasts.
• Achievement of savings on tenders.
• Quality and timing of commercial reporting.
• Effectiveness in defending or minimizing claims.
• Time efficiency in closing accounts post-project completion.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or Civil Engineering.
• 6–10 years of post-graduate experience in relevant roles, including work on projects within Saudi Arabia.
• Full project lifecycle experience—pre-contract through post-contract functions.
• Expertise with FIDIC forms and contemporary Saudi contracting practices.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Riyadh construction rates and subcontractor capabilities.
• Working understanding of ZATCA VAT processing for construction/consultancy invoices.
• Excellent written English for professional reporting.

Preferred (Desirable) Experience

• MRICS certification (or actively pursuing chartered status).
• Experience spanning both contractor and consultant/client environments.
• Exposure to developer-side responsibilities.
• Experience with various asset classes—residential, mixed-use, industrial/logistics.
• Arabic language proficiency.
• Claims and dispute resolution experience beyond basic variation assessment.
• Acquaintance with development appraisals and financial modeling.

Technical Proficiencies

• Mastery of measurement/cost management tools such as CostX, Candy, Cubicost, or equivalents.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel—including independent cost model creation and audit skills.
• Experience with Aconex or similar data management environments.
• Microsoft 365 proficiency, especially SharePoint document control.
• Competence in reading/interrogating technical drawings and specifications.

Competency and Working Style Expectations

• Meticulous attention to detail—every figure is verified and traceable.
• Strong but non-confrontational approach to commercial negotiations.
• Confidence in providing candid advice to senior stakeholders.
• Disciplined documentation habits to support robust claim management.
• Comfort working both autonomously and within a lean organizational framework.
• Commitment to disciplined planning, governance, and fostering long-term partnerships.