Commercial Director – Contracts & Claims (Construction)

About the role

The Commercial Director – Commercial Contracts & Claims provides executive leadership for all commercial and contractual matters across Dangote Construction & Heavy Industries projects in Lagos. The role safeguards the company’s commercial interests, drives entitlement recovery, and enhances project profitability through robust governance and strategic dispute avoidance.

Key responsibilities

• Establish and oversee commercial governance frameworks, policies, procedures, approval processes, and controls for all construction and heavy‑industry projects.
• Lead commercial management and administration of construction, EPC, EPCM, LSTK, subcontracting and other contract forms, ensuring compliance and protection of contractual interests.
• Manage claims, variations, change orders, extensions of time, final accounts and commercial recoveries while maintaining a centralized claims and risk register.
• Identify, assess and mitigate commercial and contractual risks, enforce change control and prevent scope creep.
• Lead high‑level commercial negotiations, final account settlements and dispute avoidance initiatives; support adjudication, mediation and arbitration as needed.
• Oversee commercial controls including cost‑to‑complete forecasts, cash flow, change management, earned value performance, exposure and risk reporting.
• Prepare and present monthly executive‑level reports on commercial performance, claims status, recovery opportunities and contractual risks.
• Develop and mentor commercial teams, strengthen local capability and promote best practices in contracts and claims management.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, Commercial Management, Law or related discipline.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, RICS, MCIArb, FCIArb, AACE, MBA are highly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in major construction, EPC, infrastructure, industrial or heavy‑industry projects.
• At least 8–10 years in senior commercial leadership roles (e.g., Commercial Director, Contracts Director, Claims Director, Head of Commercial).

Required skills

What we offer

• Strategic leadership role within a leading construction and heavy‑industry organization.
• Opportunity to shape commercial governance across high‑value projects.
• Competitive compensation package aligned with senior executive responsibilities.