Commercial Director

About this opportunity

Terracotta is currently recruiting two experienced Commercial Directors on behalf of a leading operator within the UAE's rail transport sector, one for a Metro network and one for a Tram network. This is an excellent opportunity to lead the commercial and contractual relationship with the Client on a major operations and maintenance contract. The successful candidates will protect the organisation's contractual position, support effective contract delivery and make sure commercial issues are resolved promptly and practically. They will work closely with the Managing Director, operational teams and corporate functions. Location: Dubai, UAE Positions: Commercial Director – Metro (approximately 15 years of relevant experience) Commercial Director – Tram (approximately 7–10 years of relevant experience) Key Responsibilities: Client & Contract Management Act as the principal commercial and contractual interface with the Client, maintaining a constructive and professional working relationship. Monitor contract performance, commercial risks, obligations and key deadlines. Escalate material issues to the Managing Director and relevant internal stakeholders. Contract Administration & Change Control Coordinate contractual correspondence, notices, submissions, change requests, claims and responses. Ensure contractual positions are clear, timely and properly documented. Support operational and corporate teams in interpreting contractual obligations, assessing commercial implications and resolving day-to-day contract matters. Commercial Negotiations & Business Agreements Support negotiations with the Client and key suppliers, including contract amendments, variations, settlements and other commercial agreements. Provide practical guidance on procurement, subcontracts, confidentiality arrangements and other business agreements, in coordination with Finance and operational teams. Compliance & Governance Oversee the organisation's compliance framework, including relevant policies, registers, reviews and awareness activities. Team Leadership Lead and coordinate a team of three covering legal, commercial and compliance matters. Set priorities and ensure effective support to the wider business. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Commercial Management, Law, Business, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline. Relevant commercial, contractual or legal experience: approximately 15 years for the Metro role and 7–10 years for the Tram role. Good practical knowledge of contract administration, change control, claims, commercial negotiations and risk management. Ability to interpret contractual provisions and translate them into clear, practical advice for operational and management teams. Experience managing Client relationships and handling sensitive commercial discussions in a balanced, solution-oriented way. Experience supervising or coordinating a small multidisciplinary team is desirable. Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation, organisation and stakeholder management skills. High integrity, sound judgement and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities without overcomplicating decisions. GCC experience is highly preferred. Preferred Industry Experience: We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in: Metro, Tram & Light Rail Operations Rail & Public Transport Transport Infrastructure Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Contracts Contract-Based Service Environments Candidates with a strong combination of client-facing contract management, change control and claims experience on operational contracts are particularly encouraged to apply.