Head, Commercial Contracts

Role overview

This position is responsible for leading, shaping, and governing pre-award and post-award procurement and contractual activities for the assigned Services/Works scope within the End User Directorate(s) and related business functions. The role must follow ADNOC policies, procedures, and Delegation of Authority requirements, while ensuring procurement support is delivered efficiently, on time, and in a cost-conscious way to enable successful completion of end-user service and work needs.

What you will do

• Drive the acquisition process in line with the annual procurement plan, including bidder-list preparation, expression-of-interest handling, bidder screening and shortlisting, and tender strategy development.
• Keep pre-tender activities moving smoothly and ensure they are completed effectively.
• Make sure end users understand the standard acquisition-request checklist so that contract requests are complete and include all necessary tender information.
• Lead tendering activities for assigned acquisitions and control progress to secure timely awards aligned with end-user expectations and procurement cycle-time KPIs.
• Oversee contract amendments, cap enhancements, and variations while ensuring they remain aligned with contractual terms and conditions.
• Review and assess change orders and claims promptly and effectively.
• Ensure contract signatures are completed within the relevant Delegation of Authority.
• Confirm that all contract requisitions, tenders, and awarded contracts remain visible and traceable in the ERP system throughout the tendering and execution cycle.
• Coordinate contract clause issues and interpretation matters between contractors and users.
• Support negotiation of contracts, amendments, and variations to achieve the right balance of value and quality, including evaluation of quotations and commercial/financial negotiations at the appropriate management level.
• Identify contracting risks and recommend practical mitigation approaches aligned with company strategy, commercial goals, technical requirements, and legal/economic considerations.
• Assess current contractual practices against departmental and corporate objectives, with strong emphasis on value for money.
• Contribute to the development and updating of tender and contract policy guidance, standard clauses/models, authority manuals, terms of reference, and contract management systems.
• Work closely with internal teams, end-user divisions, and contractors to ensure clear communication and steady progress of work.
• Visit end users when needed to improve communication, support tender/contract processing, and close unresolved issues.
• Track market developments with the market intelligence team and advise on contract prices, amendments, variations, and rates to protect the company’s interests.
• Support the approval process for bidders lists, ensuring fair opportunity distribution and matching bidder capability to the job requirements.
• Handle bidder queries promptly with the end user and issue tender bulletins where needed.
• Ensure departmental procedures, processes, and HSE management requirements are properly followed.
• Allocate workload across the team according to individual capability and competence.
• Carry out other related duties as assigned and act for the Contracts Manager during leave or absence when delegated by management.
• Plan and oversee department staff and resources so operational objectives are met efficiently and within budget.
• Build capability, technical knowledge, and innovation within the department, while supporting PDPs, succession planning, and talent pipeline activities in coordination with Human Capability Group, with special focus on Emiratization and UAE Nationals.
• Prepare inputs for division budgets, monitor expenditure, and investigate any major deviations from approved budget levels.
• Implement approved policies, systems, standards, procedures, and internal controls to support departmental work in line with company and international standards.
• Apply the company performance management system for department members and monitor progress against KPIs, annual performance contracts, and the balanced scorecard.
• Review and recommend improvements to the department structure so it uses human capital effectively and supports sustainability goals.
• Promote innovation, employee motivation, and change initiatives to improve operations and service delivery.
• Recommend process improvements based on best practices and ISO-aligned methods to resolve departmental challenges efficiently.
• Promote an HSE culture and ensure compliance with applicable HSE policies, controls, legislation, sustainability guidance, and ADNOC Codes of Practice.
• Ensure department employees receive proper HSE induction and training.
• Prepare management information and progress reports for senior management to support business control and decision-making.

Working relationships

Internal contacts include the line manager, Commercial Vice President, peer section heads, team members, and senior representatives of end-user directorates on matters related to policies, people, HSE, and procurement. There may also be occasional interaction with Legal, Internal Audit, and Finance on tender and agreement terms or related matters.

External contacts include occasional interaction with ADNOC Group company representatives, regular engagement with contractors, consultants, and service providers at senior level for major commercial and contractual discussions, and occasional coordination with affiliated companies on current or potential requirements and shared contracting/procurement interests.

Qualifications, experience, and skills

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, or Quantity Surveying, or Business Administration, or another equivalent professional qualification.

Applicants should bring at least 12 years of professional contracts management experience, preferably in the oil and gas sector, including 7 years in a progressively supervisory or managerial role. Strong working knowledge is needed in tendering, contract preparation, operations and maintenance, project management, claims analysis and settlement, legal and statutory requirements, international contracts engineering and manufacturing standards, and contract law/commercial practice.

The position also calls for practical experience in drafting contract terms and conditions, including areas such as indemnities, insurance, guarantees, warranties, and liquidated damages. Candidates must have strong leadership, negotiation, and communication skills, plus solid IT capability, including exposure to MAXIMO and/or SAP and standard MS Office tools. Fluency in both Arabic and English is mandatory.

Additional strengths expected include the ability to work independently, manage multiple contract matters under pressure, maintain a strong customer-focused approach, solve complex issues, coordinate with legal, finance, and insurance teams, and support health and safety initiatives. Professional certification in CIPS is required.

Technical capability areas

The role spans long-term business planning, workshop facilitation, data analysis and visualization, human capital system management, procurement risk management, strategic sourcing, procurement compliance and internal control, procurement business partnering, procurement cycle management, digital procurement tools, procurement process and systems management, post-award procurement management, purchasing and contract management, and supplier negotiation.

Safety and leadership expectations

The selected candidate is expected to lead by example on health and safety, help develop and sustain safe working practices, identify and report hazards or incidents, and support training so employees understand how to work safely and protect health.

Additional notes

The role also requires strong organizational and project management ability, a high level of problem-solving skill for sensitive issues, experience working in commercial, projects, or business-facing roles, and the confidence to deal with demanding workloads in a multi-stakeholder environment.