ISA Commercial Manager

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Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong.  Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.   

ISA Commercial Manager

What this job involves:

As the ISA (India & South Asia) Commercial Manager, you will serve as a key commercial partner within the APACJ regional structure, reporting directly to the Regional Commercial Lead. Your primary focus will be delivering commercial governance and financial oversight for capital projects across India and South Asia, working closely with Regional Project Management Directors and project teams to ensure robust financial controls, process compliance, and strategic cost management. You will be responsible for preparing and validating Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates that underpin business case approvals, providing commercial oversight to project cost managers, and ensuring adherence to client processes and policies. At JLL, we are collectively shaping a brighter way—for our clients, ourselves and our fellow employees—and this role is essential to maintaining financial integrity and delivering value across a diverse, multi-country project portfolio. You will develop and maintain comprehensive cost benchmarking databases using both internal client data and JLL's proprietary sources, enabling competitive market validation and informed decision-making. We embrace more innovative ways of working and prioritize opportunities to strengthen and advance your career, offering you the platform to make a meaningful impact on large-scale real estate programs.

Core responsibilities:

• Prepare and deliver accurate, market-competitive Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for projects in pre-initiation and feasibility phases across India and South Asia, ensuring estimates align with approved project scope, client budget parameters, and regional market conditions.
• Provide direct commercial oversight and guidance to project cost managers within the India and South Asia regions, ensuring compliance with client financial processes, procurement policies, and contractual controls throughout all project phases.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously update internal cost benchmarking databases utilizing both client historical project data and external JLL sources, ensuring benchmarks reflect current market conditions and support competitive cost validation.
• Support the Regional Commercial Lead in conducting financial audits and performance reviews of project delivery teams, identifying cost leakage, evaluating adherence to contractual financial processes, and recommending corrective actions where necessary.
• Collaborate with Regional Project Management Directors and project managers to review design deliverables, validate cost assumptions, and ensure cost estimates are aligned with technical specifications and scope of work.
• Prepare and present detailed financial reports, cost variance analyses, and budget reconciliation summaries to the Regional Commercial Lead and client stakeholders, clearly communicating cost performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Support quarterly financial reviews by consolidating project cost data, validating forecast accuracy, and documenting lessons learned to drive continuous improvement in cost estimation and financial governance practices.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of all cost estimation methodologies, market rate validations, and procurement strategies in accordance with client record-keeping requirements and audit standards.
• Coordinate with the Regional Commercial Lead and Regional Project Management Directors to ensure consistent application of financial governance frameworks, procurement strategies, and cost control procedures across all India and South Asia projects.
• Provide training and technical guidance to junior cost managers and project coordinators, fostering professional development and ensuring consistent delivery of commercial excellence within the region.

Key Interfaces:

• Regional Commercial Lead (direct reporting line)
• Regional Project Management Directors for India, Japan, and Rest of Asia
• Client finance, procurement, and capital planning leadership within India and South Asia
• Project managers, cost managers, and project coordinators delivering projects within the India and South Asia regions
• Architects, designers, and engineering consultants engaged on client projects
• Client Stakeholders including strategy and transactions, IT, security, environmental affairs, and business unit leaders

Success Criteria:

• Delivery of accurate, timely, and market-competitive ROM cost estimates that align with client budget parameters and enable informed business case approvals.
• Demonstrated adherence to client financial processes and procurement policies across all India and South Asia projects, evidenced by successful internal and external audits.
• Development and maintenance of comprehensive, up-to-date cost benchmarking databases that support competitive market validation and strategic decision-making.
• Achievement of cost savings targets through proactive value engineering, strategic sourcing initiatives, and identification of bundling opportunities.
• Client satisfaction scores reflecting trust, transparency, and value delivery in commercial advisory services, as measured through quarterly stakeholder feedback.
• Proactive identification and mitigation of financial risks, minimizing budget overruns and ensuring timely resolution of cost-related issues across the project portfolio.
• Successful coaching and development of junior cost managers, demonstrated through improved performance, skill development, and career progression within the team.

Attributes:

• Strong analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret complex cost data, identify trends, and translate findings into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and process-driven, with a commitment to data accuracy, quality assurance, and rigorous compliance with financial governance frameworks.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building trusted relationships with project teams, client stakeholders, and external consultants at all levels.
• High level of commercial awareness and business judgment, with the ability to balance client needs, contractual obligations, and financial integrity.
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset, able to identify risks early, develop mitigation strategies, and drive continuous improvement in cost management practices.
• Collaborative team player who values knowledge-sharing, cross-functional partnership, and collective success over individual achievement.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, multi-country environment.
• Proficient in using industry-standard cost estimation tools, project management information systems, and business intelligence platforms.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Engineering, or related field from an accredited institution; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., RICS, AIQS) highly desirable.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in construction cost management, quantity surveying, or commercial leadership roles, with at least 5 years in the India or broader Asia Pacific region.
• Demonstrated expertise in preparing detailed cost estimates, conducting cost planning activities, and managing financial performance for large-scale commercial office, infrastructure, or laboratory projects.
• Strong knowledge of India and South Asia real estate markets, construction procurement practices, and local regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience in developing and maintaining cost benchmarking databases,
• Proficiency in using industry-standard cost estimation software (e.g., CostX, Exactal, or similar), project management information systems, and business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Excellent command of English; proficiency in Hindi or other regional languages advantageous.
• Experience working with multinational corporate clients, particularly in the technology, financial services, or professional services sectors, is highly desirable.

Location:

On-site –Bengaluru, KA

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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