Contract Administrator

Job Overview

We are looking to hire an experienced Contract Administrator to provide comprehensive commercial and contract management support for high-rise building and civil construction projects. The role involves handling contract documents, managing claims and variations, certifying payments, and ensuring all contractual terms and regulations are strictly followed.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and review primary contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, consultancy agreements, and related contractual documents.
• Ensure projects adhere to contract terms, specifications, regulations, and conditions.
• Draft, review, and issue official contractual notices, letters, and correspondence within stipulated timelines.
• Maintain detailed contract administration systems including registers for correspondence, variations, claims, notices, bonds, guarantees, and insurance documentation.
• Identify and communicate contractual and commercial risks to the Contracts Manager and project leadership.
• Assist in preparing, submitting, and negotiating variation orders, extension-of-time requests, disruption and additional cost claims.
• Evaluate site instructions, design modifications, site conditions, and client requirements to assess contract or financial impacts.
• Track milestones, completion deadlines, notice periods, and deliverables rigorously.
• Support interim payment application processing, final account reviews, and subcontractor payment certifications.
• Liaise with project managers, quantity surveyors, planners, engineers, consultants, clients, and subcontractors on contractual matters.
• Assess subcontractor claims, variations and contractual submissions and provide informed suggestions.
• Document and confirm all verbal instructions through formal contractual communication.
• Collaborate with planning and commercial teams to prepare delay analyses and entitlement evaluations.
• Participate in commercial, contractual, progress, and claim-related meetings as required.
• Produce contractual reports, claim summaries, risk logs, and progress updates for senior management review.
• Support dispute resolution processes including negotiations, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, or litigation assistance.
• Ensure proper contract closeout processes including final accounts settlement, release of guarantees, claims resolution, and completion documentation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or related fields.
• At least 8 to 10 years’ experience in contract administration in the construction sector.
• Demonstrated experience working with main contractors on high-rise and major civil construction projects.
• Solid knowledge of FIDIC and other recognized construction contract templates.
• Understanding of variations, claims, extensions of time, liquidated damages, payment procedures, and dispute resolution.
• Experience in UAE or GCC construction markets is highly desirable.
• Awareness of UAE construction legislation and contracting standards is a plus.
• Professional affiliations such as MRICS, MCIArb, PMP, or similar certifications preferred but not compulsory.

Key Skills

• Proficient drafting, reviewing, and interpreting contracts.
• Strong command of written and spoken English for professional correspondence.
• Keen negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Commercial acumen with meticulous attention to detail.
• Risk identification and mitigation skills to safeguard company interests.
• Excellent organizational ability and document control practices.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently under high-pressure environments.
• Experienced with Microsoft Office and contract/document management software.