Commercial and Planning Manager

About the Role
The Commercial and Planning Manager will provide leadership to the Middle East Division in respect of:

• Financial planning and analysis, including the annual business plan, budgets, forecasts, and the multi-year strategic plan
• Management reporting and performance analysis that gives leadership clear insight into contract and divisional results
• Commercial oversight of procurement, ensuring value for money, compliance, and effective supplier management
• Business partnering with operational and contract leadership to improve margin, cash, and growth.
  This role reports to the divisional Finance Director and collaborates closely with Operations, Business Development, Procurement, and the Shared Service Centre (SSC).

Key Accountabilities
Financial Planning and Analysis

• Prepare the multi-year strategic plan and long-range financial projections, ensuring the business plan aligns with divisional strategy targets.
• Lead the annual business planning and budgeting cycle for the division, coordinating inputs from contract and functional leads and consolidating across legal entities.
• Own the monthly forecasting process, providing robust full-year outlooks for revenue, margin, overheads, and cash, and explaining movements against plan.
• Produce monthly management reporting packs (DPR/OFR) for the divisional leadership team and Group, with clear commentary on performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Perform variance analysis of actuals against budget, forecast, and prior year, identifying root causes and agreeing corrective actions with budget holders.
• Develop and maintain financial models, scenario analysis, and sensitivities to support business cases, investment decisions, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor contract profitability and overhead (SG&A) spend, identifying opportunities for margin improvement and cost efficiency.
• Support cash flow forecasting and working capital management, including delivery of cash conversion targets.

Commercial Management

• Provide commercial and financial support to bids and new business submissions, including margin analysis and bid reviews in line with company bid governance.
• Maintain the register and track key commercial obligations, milestones, and renewal dates.
• Report claims and disputes with financial analysis and evidence.

Procurement

• Provide commercial oversight of procurement activity across the division, ensuring compliance with procurement policy, delegations of authority, and Group standards.
• Lead or support sourcing for significant spend, including tender evaluation, supplier selection, and negotiation of commercial terms.
• Review supplier contracts and purchase commitments from a financial and commercial perspective before approval.
• Monitor supplier spend, performance, and savings, and drive cost-reduction and value-for-money initiatives.
• Ensure procurement processes in the ERP system are followed and that commitments are correctly reflected in forecasts and accruals.
• Support supplier risk management, including due diligence and contingency planning for critical suppliers.

Business Partnering

• Act as the finance business partner to corporate office stakeholders and operational leadership, providing insight that improves performance, margin, and cash.
• Challenge and support budget holders on spend, efficiency, and delivery of financial commitments.
• Work with Business Development, Operations, and HR on growth initiatives, mobilization of new contracts, and resourcing decisions.
• Present financial and commercial analysis to senior leadership, turning complex data into clear recommendations.
• Participate on programme boards, investment committees, and review/project boards as required.
• Work with the SSC and Group Finance to ensure accurate and timely financial data supports planning and reporting.

Governance and Risk

• Ensure compliance with governing principles, delegations of authority, and financial controls across planning, commercial, and procurement activity.
• Identify, assess, and report commercial and financial risks and opportunities, and maintain the related entries in the divisional risk register.
• Identify process and system improvements in planning, reporting, and procurement, and drive their delivery through the governance process.

Organisation and People

• Travel to contract sites and across the region as required.
• Ensure the continued development of the team by regularly reviewing organizational structures, capabilities, succession planning, and individual development plans.
• Ensure compliance with best practice financial and commercial policies, procedures, and processes, which are aligned to standards set by the Group.

Specific Requirements
Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (CA, ACCA, CIMA, or CPA)
• Procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS) or formal commercial/contract management training is desirable

Experience

• Demonstrated understanding and adoption of governing principles.
• Significant post-qualification experience in financial planning and analysis, ideally in a services or outsourcing business.
• Experience working in a business with public sector and government customers.
• Proven experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning across multiple contracts or legal entities.
• Commercial experience in bids, pricing, contract management, and contract negotiation.
• Experience in procurement, supplier negotiation, and spend management.
• Experience as a finance business partner to senior operational leaders.
• Experience in the Middle East / GCC region is preferred.
• People management experience.

Benefits and Opportunities
At this organization, there is a commitment to equal employment opportunities and creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diverse perspectives and backgrounds. The organization invests in the development and well-being of its employees, offering a rewarding and fulfilling career while ensuring safety through its Zero Harm initiative.