Our client is a specialist contractor serving the data center market across Asia. They’re looking for a Regional Commercial Manager to oversee the commercial performance of multiple data center projects across Southeast Asia, taking responsibility for cost management, contracts and project profitability across the regional portfolio.
This role calls for someone with a strong grounding in quantity surveying and cost management, backed by substantial commercial and contracts experience. You’ll take responsibility for profitability across the regional portfolio, support project commercial teams, and lead negotiations on major contracts and commercial issues.
You’ll need to be comfortable challenging a cost forecast in detail, then stepping back to advise senior management on the region’s wider commercial position.
The Role
You’ll oversee the commercial lifecycle across multiple concurrent projects, from tender review and subcontract procurement through delivery to final account settlement. Working closely with pre-construction and project leadership, you’ll make sure each project has a sound commercial strategy and that risks are identified and addressed early.
A key part of the role will be setting clear standards for project teams, strengthening cost control, and giving senior management an accurate view of performance across the region.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Taking regional responsibility for project commercial performance, including margins, cash flow and financial exposure.
- Leading and supporting QS and commercial teams across multiple projects, reviewing forecasts and challenging assumptions where needed.
- Overseeing cost planning, CVR reporting and cost-to-complete forecasts, with clear reporting at both project and regional level.
- Leading commercial and contractual reviews of tenders, main contracts and key subcontracts, ensuring obligations and risks are understood before commitments are made.
- Setting procurement strategies and supporting negotiations with specialist subcontractors and suppliers.
- Overseeing contract administration, including notices, variations, claims and extensions of time, through to final account agreement.
- Acting as the senior commercial contact for clients and delivery partners, leading negotiations and resolving escalated commercial issues.
- Working with pre-construction teams to test pricing assumptions and ensure bids reflect delivery requirements and contractual risk.
- Improving commercial procedures and reporting consistency across Southeast Asia.
- A strong QS and cost management foundation, with 12+ years of relevant construction experience and at least 5 years in a senior commercial management or leadership role.
- A track record of overseeing the commercial performance of multiple major projects, ideally across Southeast Asia.
- Significant experience in data centers, mission-critical construction or complex MEP projects, with a good understanding of technical fit-out and white space delivery.
- Strong commercial and contracts experience, including contract negotiation, administration and the resolution of claims or disputes.
- Detailed knowledge of cost control and forecasting, with the ability to interrogate project accounts and identify financial exposure early.
- Experience leading QS or commercial teams and working confidently with senior client representatives and internal directors.
- A degree in Quantity Surveying or a related discipline. MRICS or an equivalent professional qualification would be an advantage.
- The judgement to balance commercial protection with practical project delivery, and the confidence to challenge decisions when profitability is at risk.
Mission Critical Recruitment Pte Ltd. Co. Registration no.: 202503846H | EA Licence no.: 25S2791 | Benjamin Ross EA Registration no.: R23114028
