Commercial Director

Job description / Role

About JLL

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way.

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world-class services, advisory, and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers, and find a place where they belong. Whether you have deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades, or technology, or you are looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

What this job involves

The commercial director will lead all commercial activities for multiple prestigious residential developments at an executive cost management level, ensuring profitable delivery while maintaining client relationships. This senior role combines strategic commercial oversight with operational excellence to maximize project value and organizational profitability.

What your day-to-day will look like

Commercial strategy and management

• Manage project budgets, forecasting, and financial performance monitoring.
• Lead tender preparation, pricing strategies, and bid submissions.
• Oversee contract negotiations, risk assessment, and commercial terms.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and commercial governance.

Business development

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities and market sectors.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, consultants, and stakeholders.
• Lead strategic partnerships and joint venture negotiations.
• Represent the company at industry events and client presentations.
• Drive revenue growth and market share expansion.

Team leadership

• Lead and expand the site commercial team.
• Establish commercial processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Foster a culture of commercial excellence and continuous improvement.

Risk and performance management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and contractual risks.
• Oversee claims management, variations, and dispute resolution.
• Monitor project margins, cash flow, and profitability KPIs.
• Implement commercial controls and reporting systems.
• Ensure projects are delivered within budget and timeline parameters.

Required skills and experience

Education and professional credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying, construction management, engineering, or a related field.
• Professional membership: MRICS.
• Relevant commercial or contracts certifications.

Experience

• 12+ years of commercial experience in the construction industry.
• 5+ years of experience in the UAE, with in-depth knowledge of the local construction market.
• 8+ years of experience working for tier 1 international cost management companies.
• Experience managing projects at a programme level for large-scale master plans.
• Proven track record managing large-scale residential construction projects valued at $1 billion or more.
• Experience across multiple construction sectors, including commercial, residential, and infrastructure.
• Strong background in contract administration and commercial law.

Desired or preferred experience and technical skills

• Advanced knowledge of construction contracts, including JCT, NEC, and FIDIC.
• Expert-level commercial and financial acumen.
• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience delivering board-level presentations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication abilities.
• Strategic thinking with attention to operational details.

Location

On-site — Dubai, UAE

Job tags

Construction industry knowledge

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements. We are interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table.

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experience, and qualifications to generate insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you are pursuing.

Privacy and equal opportunity

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally, the personal information we collect from you is used to process your application as part of JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavor to keep your personal information secure with an appropriate level of security and retain it only as long as needed for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely.

For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please refer to the Candidate Privacy Statement. For additional details, see the career site pages for each country.

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, including the online application or overall selection process, please contact JLL to request an accommodation.

About the Company

In the Middle East and North Africa, Jones Lang LaSalle is a leading player in its real estate markets including the hospitality sector. The firm has worked in over 22 Middle Eastern and North African countries and over the last year has advised clients on more than $120 billion worth of real estate, hotel and hospitality development.

We continually create value for our clients and partners by challenging conventional thinking and employing innovative investment solutions. The rapid pace of change in the region creates significant opportunities, challenges and complex decisions for investors.

Jones Lang LaSalle is recognized as having leading real estate and hospitality expertise with a leadership team that has held senior positions with some of the largest real estate developers, hospitality companies and corporate groups in the Middle East and internationally.