Commercial Manager

Description

Working in close collaboration with the Design Build Director and core project team, the Commercial Manager will provide guidance and leadership to develop, implement, and drive contract/claim management and risk mitigation strategies by business objectives. The Commercial Manager will be assigned full-time to the project and is responsible for monitoring all Civil Rights Compliance requirements and ensuring the Design Builder meets the DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) goals set forth in the Contract Documents. This role also manages commercial and contractual matters, including change orders, billing, payment requests, insurance, bonding, and maintains accurate and complete financial records for the Contract. The Commercial Manager plays a key role in protecting the Design-Builder’s commercial interests while ensuring compliance with all contractual, financial, and civil rights obligations.

• Support the development of communication strategies with the sponsor and public authority, considering legal and commercial implications.
• Work will be primarily office-based, with regular interaction across the project and commercial team.
• Research and evaluate vendors/contracts to ensure compliance with the state and federal regulations.
• Lead or support negotiation and resolution of contract disputes, claims, and settlements with clients and subcontractors, ensuring alignment with legal counsel and JV leadership.
• Administer and track all change orders, claims, and contract modifications, while maintaining accurate financial and contractual records (e.g., correspondence logs, issue/change logs, and risk/opportunity registers) to ensure compliance and audit readiness.
• Supervise and support project administrative personnel, ensuring appropriate training, qualifications, and competency.
• Draft or amend contracts and commercial agreements.
• Review project specifications, ensure contractor compliance, and manage change orders and compensatory claims.
• Monitor Civil Rights Compliance and ensure achievement of DBE participation goals in accordance with contract requirements.
• Develop and implement appropriate commercial strategies and ensure compliance with contract type and delivery methods.
• Evaluate vendors to ensure their performance is aligned with established specifications.
• Support the preparation of contract notices, change requests, and claims/disputes in accordance with applicable provisions and interpretations.
• Identify and manage project commercial and contracting risks and coordinate mitigation measures.
• Provide commercial support to the project team, including risk identification and mitigation strategies.
• Interface with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders, including legal, finance, cost estimating, insurance, tax, treasury, and risk teams, to ensure alignment on commercial priorities.
• Prepare and manage contractual correspondence and notices in accordance with contract requirements.
• Monitor compliance with contract deliverables and key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring the project meets financial, scheduling, and performance obligations as defined in the prime contract.
• Ensure flow down of the prime contract terms to other related contracts and ongoing projects.
• Prepare project-specific contract administration manuals based on standard templates.
• Support contract close-out processes, including retention release and obtaining all compliance certifications.
• Obtain legal department input as needed for the resolution of contract and compliance matters.
• Develop and implement contract-management and purchasing instructions, policies, procedures, and systems.
• Prepare internal and external monthly reports on commercial, contractual, DBE, and compliance matters.
• Manage billing and payment request processes to ensure timely and accurate submissions.
• Provide on-demand contractual clarifications/position statements to project team members as required, as well as understanding and interpretation of the contract language, and practical application of contract documents.
• Contribute to the revision and upkeep of operating policies and procedures.
• Coordinate JV partner commercial responsibilities, reporting, and cost-sharing agreements to ensure alignment across stakeholders.
• Provide leadership to Commercial staff and direct reports.
• Deliver training, presentations, or workshops on contract administration, change and delay management, and corporate policies as needed.
• Coordinate with team members to establish agendas to be addressed with the authority at commercial meetings you attend.
• Manage import/export compliance requirements, as required by the project.
• Review and negotiate all commercial agreements, including requests for quotation, requests for proposals, confidentiality agreements, pre-bid agreements, purchase orders, subcontracts, and contracts, and provide recommendations during estimating, pre-award, construction, and post-construction phases.
• Overall responsibility for all commercial matters, including contracts, subcontracts, procurement, DBE compliance, change management, and insurance oversight.
• Identify and analyze potential commercial risks and liabilities associated with proposals, ongoing projects, and supplier agreements.
• Manage all project-related insurance and bonding requirements, coordinating with brokers and insurers to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, monitoring renewals, handling claims and endorsements, and supporting resolution of insurance-related issues.

Requirements

This position is based in New York, NY, and requires daily presence in the office and/or on construction sites.

• Strong initiative and ability to work independently and collaborate successfully in a team environment.
• Experience working in a joint venture is preferred.
• Superior organizational and project management skills with proven ability to manage multiple projects through to completion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and interact with executives, project directors, and external stakeholders.
• Extended periods of computer-based work are required for reporting, analysis, and document preparation.
• Advanced technical skills in MS Word, MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Flexibility to accommodate varied hours that accompany a deadline-driven environment.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in commercial or contract management within the construction industry, including at least 7 years on large heavy civil infrastructure projects.
• Experience in a Design-Build environment strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Law, Business, or related discipline; MBA or JD preferred.
• Previous experience working on Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) or other major transit infrastructure projects strongly preferred.
• Strong construction knowledge, with experience in Subcontract Management for a Contractor.
• Advanced knowledge of construction law, negotiating, and drafting major construction contracts
• Strong negotiating skills with proven ability to manage commercial/contractual matters with subcontractors, clients, and partners.
• Flexibility to work extended hours as needed to meet commercial and compliance deadlines.
• Advanced knowledge of construction contract administration, finance, and risk management.
• Knowledge of labor obligations and their impact on the corporation.
• Ability to self-manage a project or process and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
• A solid understanding of public procurement processes and policies, as well as proposal processes.
• Requires the ability to sit, type, and review detailed documents for prolonged periods with accuracy.
• Effective communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience with Civil Rights Compliance, DBE participation programs, change management, insurance, and financial controls.

Benefits

Reasonable accommodation will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance