Contracts Manager – Construction Division

About the Role

Shelter Group is seeking a highly experienced and commercially astute Contracts Manager to oversee contract management for its construction and infrastructure projects in Qatar. This senior leadership position is crucial for protecting the company's commercial and contractual interests. The role involves managing contract administration, risk assessment, claims strategy, negotiations, dispute resolution, and ensuring overall governance. The Contracts Manager will act as the primary contractual advisor to senior management, ensuring compliance, maximizing commercial recovery, and minimizing project risks throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive contract management strategies to safeguard the company's commercial, contractual, and legal interests.
• Lead the administration and governance of various agreements, including contracts, subcontracts, consultancy, and commercial agreements across the project portfolio.
• Ensure effective management and communication of contractual obligations, deliverables, rights, and responsibilities for all projects.
• Review tender documents, contract conditions, specifications, and commercial requirements to identify potential contractual risks and opportunities.
• Formulate mitigation strategies and provide contractual advice before contract execution.
• Monitor contractual exposures and proactively manage risks that could impact project performance, profitability, and compliance.
• Lead the preparation, negotiation, and resolution of variations, Extension of Time (EOT) claims, prolongation claims, disruption claims, and other contractual entitlements.
• Ensure the timely submission and administration of contractual notices and opportunities for commercial recovery.
• Maximize project profitability through effective claims management and commercial protection strategies.
• Lead commercial and contractual negotiations with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Provide support for dispute avoidance, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, and litigation processes as needed.
• Collaborate with legal advisors and executive management on complex contractual matters and dispute resolution strategies.
• Secure favorable commercial outcomes while maintaining strong strategic business relationships.
• Establish and maintain robust contract administration procedures, governance frameworks, and compliance controls across all projects.
• Monitor project execution to ensure adherence to contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure contractual correspondence, notices, approvals, and documentation are managed according to contractual requirements and timelines.
• Oversee the contractual administration of change orders, variations, instructions, amendments, and scope modifications.
• Ensure all changes are properly evaluated, documented, negotiated, approved, and integrated into contractual records.
• Assess the commercial and contractual impact of changes on project costs, schedules, and overall performance.
• Serve as the primary contractual advisor to senior management, project teams, commercial departments, and operational stakeholders.
• Offer expert guidance on contract interpretation, risk allocation, compliance duties, and commercial implications.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, consultants, subcontractors, legal advisors, and other key stakeholders.
• Monitor contract performance, claims status, risk exposure, and contractual compliance across the project portfolio.
• Prepare executive-level reports, contractual risk assessments, claims registers, and commercial performance summaries.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to support business decisions and project success.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Contracts, Commercial, and Quantity Surveying teams.
• Foster contractual awareness, governance, accountability, and commercial excellence throughout the organization.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and implement best practices within the contracts function.
• Oversee project closeout activities, including final account negotiations, contract settlements, release of contractual obligations, warranties, guarantees, and contract completion requirements.
• Ensure all commercial and contractual matters are finalized and documented appropriately.

Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Commercial Management, Law, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, MCIArb, CCM, PMP, or equivalent contractual/commercial qualifications are highly desirable.

Experience

• A minimum of 10 to 15 years of progressive experience in Contract Management, Commercial Management, Claims Administration, or Quantity Surveying within construction, infrastructure, EPC, fit-out, or major contracting environments.
• At least 5 years of experience in the GCC construction market, with a strong understanding of Qatar's Civil Code, Commercial Law, construction contracting practices, and regional dispute resolution forums.
• Proven ability to manage complex contractual matters on large-scale construction projects.
• Established relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and legal advisors in the Qatar market are a significant advantage.
• Experience with contract management platforms such as Aconex, Procore, SAP Ariba, or Oracle Contracts, along with strong commercial reporting and document management capabilities.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong knowledge of FIDIC Contracts, bespoke construction contracts, contract administration, claims management, variations, Extension of Time (EOT) claims, dispute resolution, final account settlements, and commercial risk management.
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated success in protecting contractual entitlements and enhancing commercial performance.
• Proficiency in Arabic is considered an advantage.