My client is a leading international main contractor with a strong global presence and a reputation for delivering complex and prestigious projects across various sectors. Due to rapid expansion in their significant portfolio of projects in the Middle East they are seeking a highly experienced Contracts Manager to join our European headquarters and provide expert contractual support to these operations.
Job Summary:
The Contracts Manager will be responsible for the full spectrum of contract administration and management for our Middle East projects. This includes pre-contract activities such as tender reviews and contract negotiations, as well as post-contract administration, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, managing variations, and resolving disputes. This role requires a deep understanding of international construction contracts (particularly FIDIC) and experience working within the Middle East region.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Pre-Contract:
- Review and analyze tender documents, identifying potential risks and opportunities.
- Participate in tender clarifications and negotiations with clients and subcontractors.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ensuring they are commercially sound and protect the company's interests.
- Advise on appropriate contract strategies and risk mitigation measures.
- Assists Estimation Department in all aspects of contract formation, negotiation, and administration.
- Attends meetings with clients and participates in all contractual aspects of tendering.
- Assists in pre-qualification process to ensure completeness and accuracy of information.
- Reviews project execution method, technical documents, programs and schedules, and organization charts.
- Post-Contract:
- Administer contracts throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.
- Manage variations, claims, and disputes, seeking timely and effective resolutions.
- Prepare and submit contractual notices and correspondence.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date contract records.
- Provide contractual advice and support to project teams.
- Monitor project performance against contractual requirements.
- Conduct regular contract reviews and identify areas for improvement.
- Liaise with legal counsel as required.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of contract management procedures.
- Provide training and guidance to project teams on contractual matters.
- Advises on contract interpretation and risks including analyzing client's proposed terms and conditions.
- Interface between different departments on contractual matters.
- Reviews, advises, and drafting of contractual correspondence.
- Identification and highlighting of major contractual issues, determining project contractual strategies, and projecting the same to involved staff.
- Preparation of and assisting in contractual negotiations of subcontracts in accordance with project and contract requirements to ensure the protection of company interests, and further monitoring and ensuring the proper execution of subcontracts.
- Provision of expert advice to management on all contractual matters (including resolution of ambiguities) during project execution to protect company position and ensure compliance with contract requirements.
- Establishing and maintaining close contact with all projects to ensure execution is in compliance with contract requirements and to protect company's interest.
- Vetting and approval of "lessons learned" related to contractual matters.
- Providing advice and assistance on claims and dispute resolution.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Law, Engineering, or a related field.
- Professional memberships (e.g., RICS, CIArb) are highly desirable.
- Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in contract management within the construction industry, with a significant portion of that experience related to international projects, specifically in the Middle East.
- Extensive knowledge of FIDIC contracts and other international standard forms of contract.
- Strong understanding of construction law and contract principles.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Fluency in English is essential; Arabic language skills are highly advantageous.
- Willingness to travel to the Middle East occasionally.
