Senior Contract Manager

Introduction

We are looking for a seasoned Senior Contracts Manager to oversee contractual and commercial aspects of large-scale civil engineering, building, and high-rise construction projects. This role demands a professional with extensive knowledge in contract administration and claims management, especially skilled in managing contractual risks and disputes throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract and commercial management for multiple large construction projects across civil, building, and high-rise sectors.
• Evaluate tender documents, contracts, specifications, drawings, and commercial terms prior to contract awards.
• Identify and mitigate contractual, financial, commercial, and legal risks effectively.
• Engage actively in contract negotiations with clients, consultants, joint-venture partners, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Manage drafting, review, and administration of main contracts, subcontracts, consultancy agreements, purchase orders, and related documentation.
• Ensure project teams adhere strictly to contractual obligations, including notices, deadlines, and documentation standards.
• Prepare and submit various contractual claims such as variations, extensions of time, disruption, loss and expense claims, and other related submissions.
• Formulate claim strategies backed by detailed records, cost data, correspondence, and contractual terms.
• Analyze and respond to subcontractor and supplier claims.
• Collaborate with planning departments to analyze delays, critical path issues, concurrency, acceleration, and prolongation costs.
• Assist project teams with variations, change orders, payment applications, final accounts, and commercial closures.
• Monitor contractual milestones, payment schedules, insurance, bonds, guarantees, warranties, liquidated damages, and liability limits.
• Lead contractual communications with all relevant stakeholders.
• Offer expert contractual advice to senior management, directors, commercial managers, quantity surveyors, and project teams.
• Manage dispute resolution processes, including negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, or litigation as needed.
• Liaise with internal and external legal counsel, delay and quantum experts, and claims consultants.
• Ensure comprehensive documentation is maintained for claims support and defense of company interests.
• Conduct audits on contractual compliance and commercial processes, recommending improvements where necessary.
• Support preparations for project close-out agreements and final settlements.
• Provide training and guidance on contract awareness, claims handling, and compliance to project teams.
• Prepare periodic reports detailing contractual risks, claim statuses, disputes, liabilities, and commercial exposures.
• Uphold compliance with company policies, delegated authorities, governance protocols, and relevant laws and regulations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, or related fields.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Construction Law, Contract Management, Arbitration, or Commercial Management are advantageous.
• Membership in professional bodies like MRICS, MCIOB, MCIArb, or equivalents is preferred.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in contract, claims, or commercial management within the construction sector.
• Proven track record with leading main contractors is essential.
• Extensive experience managing contracts on major civil, building, mixed-use, residential, commercial, hospitality, and high-rise projects.
• Strong expertise in FIDIC Red Book, Yellow Book, and other standard construction contract forms.
• Experienced in handling extension-of-time, variation, prolongation, disruption claims, and final account negotiations.
• Knowledge of delay analysis, claims substantiation, dispute prevention, and resolution strategies.
• Comprehensive understanding of construction methods, project planning, cost control, procurement, and subcontract management.
• Experience working within UAE or GCC construction markets is highly desirable.