Contracts Manager from Construction Background

The Contracts Manager is responsible for managing the contractual, commercial, and administrative aspects of construction and IFM projects from contract award through completion and final account. The role involves protecting the company’s contractual and commercial interests, ensuring compliance with contract requirements, managing variations and claims, and supporting the successful delivery of projects within contractual and commercial objectives. Contract Management Review, negotiate, administer, and manage construction contracts, subcontracts, and related agreements. Ensure compliance with contractual terms, conditions, specifications, drawings, and applicable regulations. Identify contractual risks, obligations, and opportunities and advise project management accordingly. Maintain proper records of contractual correspondence, notices, instructions, approvals, and other project documentation. Monitor contractual milestones, obligations, deliverables, and notice requirements. Provide contractual advice to project teams, management, and other stakeholders. Commercial Management Monitor project costs, revenues, cash flow, and commercial performance. Review and assess variations, change orders, extensions of time, and additional cost claims. Prepare, submit, negotiate, and administer interim and final payment applications. Review payment certificates, deductions, retention, advance payments, and other contractual financial matters. Assist in preparation and agreement of project final accounts. Monitor subcontractor and supplier contractual and commercial performance. Claims & Variations Identify potential claims and contractual entitlements at an early stage. Prepare and manage claims for additional costs, delays, disruption, prolongation, and extensions of time. Review and evaluate variations and change orders and ensure appropriate contractual notices are issued within the required timeframes. Coordinate with planning, engineering, quantity surveying, and project teams to establish the contractual and financial impact of claims. Negotiate claims and variations with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and suppliers. Risk Management Identify contractual, commercial, and project risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies. Maintain contractual risk registers and monitor emerging risks. Review proposed contractual amendments and advise management of potential commercial implications. Ensure that contractual notices and correspondence are issued in accordance with the contract. Subcontract Management Prepare, review, negotiate, and administer subcontract agreements. Monitor subcontractor compliance with contractual, commercial, technical, and programme requirements. Manage subcontractor variations, claims, payments, and final accounts. Support resolution of subcontractor disputes and contractual issues. Dispute Resolution Manage contractual disputes and support dispute resolution through negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, or litigation where required. Coordinate with legal advisers and senior management on contractual disputes. Prepare contractual records, correspondence, and supporting documentation for dispute resolution proceedings. Project & Stakeholder Coordination Work closely with Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, Planning Engineers, Estimators, Procurement, Finance, Engineering, and Legal teams. Attend project, commercial, and contractual meetings with clients and consultants. Prepare contractual and commercial reports for senior management. Provide guidance to project teams regarding contractual procedures and obligations. Technical Skills Strong knowledge of construction contract administration. Good understanding of FIDIC and other standard forms of construction contracts. Strong knowledge of claims, variations, extensions of time, and delay/disruption principles. Contract drafting and negotiation skills. Commercial and financial management skills. Excellent document and correspondence management. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word. Familiarity with project management and document-control systems. Key Competencies Contract negotiation and administration Commercial awareness Claims management Risk management Dispute resolution Communication and negotiation Leadership and team management Attention to detail Analytical thinking Decision-making Stakeholder management Time management

Desired Candidate Profile

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional qualifications such as MRICS, MCIPS, PMP, or equivalent are advantageous. Formal training in construction contracts and claims management is preferred. Experience Typically 8–12+ years of experience in construction contracts/commercial management, with significant experience in a Contracts Manager or similar role. Strong experience with major construction, infrastructure, building, MEP, or civil engineering projects. Experience managing main contracts and subcontract agreements. Proven experience in variations, claims, extensions of time, payment applications, and final accounts. Experience with FIDIC, NEC, JCT, or other internationally recognized construction contracts is highly desirable. Experience in the UAE is Mandatory Employment Type Full-time