Lead - Commercial

We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute professional to lead Quantity Surveying and Cost Management functions across projects. The candidate shall be responsible for overall cost planning, budgeting, quantity surveying, tendering, contract administration, cost control, commercial evaluation, and financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

The role requires close coordination with the Client, PMC Project Management Team, Design Consultants, Contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure effective cost management, commercial transparency, contractual compliance, and adherence to the approved project budget.

Requirements

Cost Planning and Budget Management Establish and maintain project cost plans, approved budgets, and cost benchmarks. Review design development and assess its impact on project costs. Prepare preliminary estimates, detailed cost estimates, BOQs, and cost plans at various design stages. Monitor budget utilization, forecast final project costs, and identify potential cost overruns.

Recommend cost optimization and value engineering measures without compromising quality or project requirements. Review drawings, specifications, BOQs, and tender documents for completeness and accuracy. Validate quantities and assess the commercial implications of design changes. Identify scope gaps, discrepancies, and potential variations across disciplines.

Ensure consistency between approved drawings, BOQs, contract scope, and site execution. Establish and maintain a systematic quantity verification and measurement process. Lead the preparation and review of tender BOQs, commercial schedules, and tender documentation. Coordinate with design consultants and project teams to finalize tender packages.

Analyze contractor quotations, conduct commercial bid evaluations, and prepare comparative statements. Identify exclusions, deviations, qualifications, and commercial risks in contractor submissions. Participate in commercial negotiations and recommend suitable contractors based on commercial competitiveness, scope compliance, and risk assessment.

Review contract conditions, pricing mechanisms, payment terms, and commercial provisions. Administer contracts in accordance with the agreed contractual conditions, including FIDIC-based contracts, where applicable. Evaluate contractor claims, variation orders, extra items, and extension-of-time-related cost implications.

Assess the contractual entitlement and quantum of claims in coordination with the project and contract management teams. Support the preparation and review of LOIs, LOAs, work orders, and contract agreements. Identify contractual and commercial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures. Establish and maintain project cost control systems and reporting formats.

Review interim payment applications, RA bills, measurements, and supporting documentation. Monitor commitments, certified payments, variations, claims, and anticipated final account values. Prepare periodic cost reports, cash flow forecasts, cost-to-complete assessments, and financial projections. Maintain a comprehensive cost database covering the approved budget, awarded contracts, committed costs, variations, and forecast final costs.

Highlight cost deviations and provide timely recommendations to the Client and Project Director. Evaluate the financial implications of design changes, site instructions, and scope variations. Maintain a comprehensive variation register and track approvals and commercial settlements. Assess value engineering proposals and recommend cost-effective alternatives.

Ensure changes are assessed for their impact on project cost, program, quality, and contractual obligations before implementation, subject to the applicable approval process. Lead and mentor the QS and Cost Management team. Establish standard procedures for estimating, measurement, cost reporting, and commercial evaluation.

Coordinate with project management, planning, design, procurement, and site execution teams. Present cost status, commercial risks, and mitigation strategies to senior management and the Client. Ensure timely and accurate submission of all cost and commercial reports. Strong knowledge of quantity surveying, cost planning, estimation, and cost control.

Proven experience in tender evaluation, contract administration, and commercial negotiations. Excellent understanding of construction contracts, variations, claims, and final account settlements. Ability to analyze complex BOQs, contractor quotations, and commercial proposals. Strong financial analysis, forecasting, and reporting capabilities.

Proficiency in MS Excel and relevant cost management software. Good understanding of construction drawings, specifications, and multidisciplinary coordination. Strong leadership, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Hospitality development experience. Five-star hotels and hospitality projects Experience working with developers, PMC organizations, or reputed EPC contractors.

The performance of the Lead – QS & Cost Management will be assessed against the following: Accuracy and timely preparation of cost plans and project budgets. Effective monitoring and control of project costs against approved budgets. Timely completion of tender evaluations and commercial recommendations. Accuracy and turnaround time for interim payment certifications and variation assessments.

Effective identification and mitigation of commercial risks. Timely preparation of cost reports and final cost forecasts. Effective management of claims, variations, and final account settlements. Successful identification and implementation of value engineering opportunities. Compliance with project commercial procedures and reporting requirements.

Benefits

Ascentis is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We value talent, integrity, and professionalism, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are dedicated to providing a respectful and supportive work environment for everyone.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package rooted in full statutory compliance, including our contributions to the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) to ensure your long-term financial security. In addition to mandated Gratuity for your dedicated service, we provide competitive variable pay structures tied to project performance, comprehensive medical and accidental insurance, and site-specific allowances wherever applicable.