PMCM Commercial Management Lead, US

When you care deeply about the work you do, it’s rewarding to see it through from concept to completion. We partner with clients to provide both program management and construction management to strategize, plan, and implement projects that drive organizations forward. From hospitals and airports to university campuses, mass transit systems, water treatment facilities, mines, and wind farms, we've successfully managed thousands of projects.  

Joining our team, turning visionary ideas into reality, will shape your future—and the future of your community. 

We are strategizing, planning, and implementing projects that help clients achieve their organization’s objectives. Join our award-winning program management team and bring transformational project solutions to life.

Your Opportunity

The PMCM Commercial Management Lead is responsible for optimizing the financial performance, contractual position, and commercial success of PMCM portfolios and programs. This role provides strategic leadership for contract administration, change management, claims prevention and recovery, risk management, dispute resolution, and financial governance across the full program lifecycle.
The Commercial Management Lead partners closely with Growth, Operations, Delivery, Controls, Legal, and Program Leadership teams to ensure that commercial risks are proactively managed, contractual entitlements are preserved, and commercial opportunities are maximized. The role serves as the organization’s subject matter expert on claims strategy, contract interpretation, commercial negotiations, and dispute avoidance while supporting profitable growth and sustainable business performance.

Key Responsibilities Contract Administration & Commercial Governance

• Provide executive oversight of client contracts, subconsultant agreements, and commercial terms
• Support contract negotiations, amendments, and risk allocation strategies
• Ensure contractual compliance throughout program execution
• Interpret contract provisions and advise leadership on contractual rights, obligations, and potential exposure
• Establish commercial governance processes to monitor contractual performance and risk

Change Management

• Develop standardized approaches for managing scope growth, contract modifications, and additional services
• Ensure commercial impacts are identified, quantified, and communicated early
• Monitor change order pipelines and recovery performance
• Support project teams in negotiating equitable compensation and schedule adjustments
• Drive consistency in documentation and change management processes across programs

Claims Management & Commercial Recovery

• Establish and lead portfolio-wide claims management practices across PMCM programs
• Develop strategies to identify, document, negotiate, and recover costs associated with scope changes, delays, disruptions, differing site conditions, acceleration, and other compensable events
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of notices, claims, requests for equitable adjustment, and supporting documentation
• Lead commercial negotiations with clients, contractors, and stakeholders regarding disputed issues and commercial settlements
• Direct forensic analysis related to schedule impacts, productivity losses, delay claims, and cost recovery efforts
• Partner with project controls teams to develop defensible claims supported by schedule, cost, risk, and performance data
• Maintain oversight of claim exposure, recovery forecasts, and dispute resolution activities across the portfolio
• Develop lessons learned and claims avoidance strategies to improve future project performance

Commercial Risk Management

• Responsible to lead and coordinate all BOURC/ELRC reviews for PMCM projects with the appropriate BOU Representatives when a new opportunity triggers a risk review
• Integrate commercial risk management into program governance and decision-making
• Establish frameworks to identify, evaluate, mitigate, and monitor commercial and contractual risks
• Maintain visibility into risk exposure, claims trends, and emerging commercial issues
• Collaborate with project teams, legal counsel, and executive leadership to develop risk response strategies
• Ensure commercial implications of key project decisions are fully evaluated

Financial Performance & Forecasting

• Assess the financial impact of claims, disputes, and unresolved commercial issues
• Support corrective action plans for underperforming projects
• Provide executive-level reporting and recommendations regarding commercial performance

Dispute Resolution & Executive Support

• Lead dispute avoidance and resolution strategies
• Coordinate with legal counsel on mediation, arbitration, litigation support, and expert witness engagements as required
• Provide executive leadership with commercial assessments and recommended courses of action
• Participate in governance reviews and portfolio performance discussions
• Support strategic decisions involving significant commercial risk or opportunity

Business Improvement & Capability Development

• Develop standardized commercial management procedures, templates, and tools
• Build organizational capability in contract administration, claims management, and negotiation
• Mentor program managers, commercial managers, and program leaders on commercial best practices
• Leverage PMIS, analytics, and controls systems to improve commercial visibility and decision-making
• Promote a proactive commercial culture focused on risk mitigation and recovery optimization

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Quantity Surveying, Law, or related discipline
• 15+ years of experience in commercial management, contract administration, claims management, project controls, or program management
• Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, CCM, PSP, or Certified Commercial Management or Claims credentials
• Demonstrated success leading claims and dispute resolution efforts on complex capital programs
• Strong understanding of contract law, procurement methods, and commercial risk allocation
• Experience with forensic schedule analysis, delay claims, change management, and cost recovery
• Knowledge of major contract forms (FIDIC, AIA, EJCDC, NEC, public-sector agreements, etc.)
• Strong financial, analytical, negotiation, and leadership skills
• Experience supporting large infrastructure, transportation, aviation, water, environmental, or energy programs
• Experience working with owners, contractors, design consultants, and legal professionals in dispute resolution environments

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.