Commercial - Development Pre-Contract

Job Description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Senior role in Contracts & Commercial (Development Pre-Contracts) will be responsible for leading all pre-contract commercial, contractual, and procurement activities for ARADA's development projects as part of the Contracts & Commercial function.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the end-to-end pre-contract procurement process for development projects, including EOI, tender issuance, addenda, post-tender clarifications, negotiations, and contract award.
• Develop and manage procurement strategies aligned with project objectives, budgets, and delivery timelines.
• Oversee tender documentation, bid evaluations, techno-commercial comparisons, and award recommendations for senior management approval.
• Lead commercial negotiations with contractors and key subcontractors to achieve optimal commercial outcomes while mitigating risk exposure.
• Support standardisation initiatives and framework agreements for repetitive works, materials, and specialist packages.

• Support development teams during early design stages by providing cost inputs, benchmarking, and market intelligence.
• Ensure alignment between project budgets, cost plans, and tender returns.
• Identify and drive value engineering opportunities without compromising design intent, quality, or employer's requirements.
• Monitor market conditions, contractor appetite, and pricing trends to inform procurement strategies.

• Ensure all pre-contract procurement activities comply with ARADA policies, approval matrices, and governance frameworks.
• Maintain accurate records of all tender documentation, evaluations, approvals, and procurement deliverables.
• Identify and manage commercial and contractual risks at pre-contract stage and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.
• Collaborate with Legal and Finance teams to ensure contract terms are commercially robust and aligned with corporate standards.

• Work closely with Development, Design, Technical, Finance, and Cost Consultants to ensure seamless coordination throughout the pre-contract phase.
• Act as the primary commercial interface with consultants and bidders during the tender process.
• Support senior leadership with clear, data-driven recommendations on procurement and commercial decisions.

• Lead and mentor pre-contract and commercial team members, fostering a high-performance and collaborative culture.
• Set clear objectives, KPIs, and development plans aligned with ARADA's growth and project pipeline.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, MCIOB, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Construction or Commercial Management are an advantage.

• Minimum 13+ years experience in Development Pre-Contracts, Commercial Management, or Cost Management.
• Strong background working with real estate developers, tier-1 contractors, or leading cost consultancies.
• Proven experience managing large-scale residential, mixed-use, or master-planned developments.
• Demonstrated expertise in tendering, procurement strategy, negotiations, cost planning, and value engineering.
• Solid understanding of FIDIC and industry-standard forms of contract.

• Strong commercial and financial acumen with a developer-side mindset.
• Excellent negotiation and contract evaluation skills.
• Ability to balance cost, quality, risk, and programme considerations.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with a high standard of governance and documentation.
• Calm, structured, and decisive in high-pressure environments.
• Proficiency in commercial and cost management tools; ERP exposure is an advantage.