Senior Commerical - Contract Manager

Job Overview:
 The company is seeking a Senior Commercial/Contract Manager to successfully lead the commercial and contractual strategy for a large-scale engineering project, ensuring competitive bids, effective risk management, and fulfillment of all contractual obligations throughout the project lifecycle. Among other things, this individual will oversee budgets, procurement, change management, disputes, claims, and stakeholder relationships while driving financial performance and compliance. Candidates should bring a strong background in civil engineering and/or quantity surveying, ideally complemented by expertise in construction law or dispute resolution. The candidate should also be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills and a history of managing successful teams on large-scale civil engineering projects.

Responsibilities and Duties:
 Tender/Bidding

• Evaluate tender documents and identify commercial risks and opportunities
• Coordinate with contracting, estimating, design, planning, and legal teams to prepare competitive bids
• Attend or support in any authority engagement(s) (e.g. one on one workshops) during the bid process
• Support in negotiation of terms and pricing with subcontractors and suppliers (nominated or otherwise) during bid phase
• Review, identify and propose key components for the Works schedule(s) with a key focus on client or third party obligations
• Identify risks and categorize levels – suggest or propose best way to deal with high category risks (e.g. utilities, permits) by sharing under the contract terms  

Handover

• Facilitate a structured handover of commercial documentation to operational teams
• Ensure all contract terms, risks, and obligations are clearly communicated
• Transfer procurement plans, budgets, and key commercial controls
• Support operational teams in mobilization and early-stage execution
• Develop and implement a Contract Management manual for the project(s), distilling the key information for the wider project team

Contract Administration

• Define and execute the overarching commercial strategy aligned with the PPP framework and project lifecycle.
• Ensure proper execution and documentation of all contracts
• Monitor contract compliance and closely manage variations, change orders or amendments to the design build agreement
• Administer the design build agreement in accordance with obligations and requirements
• Ensure appropriate and timely correspondence is made on all pertinent project issues and at all times
• Ensure effective record keeping and contemporaneous data during the currency of the project(s) lifecycle
• Ensure good collaboration with the project scheduling team and timely intervention or communication for any impacts to the schedule
• Timely notices (claims or otherwise) of any sort in accordance with the contractual terms of the design build agreement

Construction Commercial Oversight

• Manage and support project budgets, forecasts, and cost control measures (budgets)
• Track financial performance against targets and KPIs
• Identify deviations and develop meaningful solutions to overcome negative impacts
• Deploy or catalogue appropriate “Lessons Learned” during the currency of the Works
• Suggest or propose operational alternatives that might support mitigation efforts and improve efficiencies
• Control over payments – upstream and downstream. Approve valuations, payments, retention or hold back and financial reconciliations
• Ensure proper notices, support and administration of any insurance claims

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Identify and assess commercial risks across the project(s)
• Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans
• Monitor emerging risks and market trends
• Capture and evaluate commercial opportunities for growth or savings
• Maintain a risk register and ensure regular updates

Procurement & Supply Chain

• Oversee or support in procurement planning aligned with project timelines and budgets
• Formulation of bespoke subcontract agreements as necessary alongside legal counsel
• Ensure appropriate consideration of all back to black, flow down, Equivalent Project Relief etc. provisions as it may relate to the design build agreement
• Costing of design and construction activities
• Measurement and tracking of as built quantities
• Approve major purchase orders and subcontractor agreements
• Ensure supplier selection follows ethical and cost-effective company policies
• Monitor procurement performance and resolve supply chain issues
• Develop strategic partnerships with key vendors and subcontractors
• Ensure appropriate and timely correspondence is made on all pertinent subcontract or supplier issues and at all times

Claims Management

• Where possible and beneficial, encourage dispute avoidance and early resolution of any pertinent matters
• Strategize and lead the preparation and negotiation of claims (e.g. critical delay, damages, disruption, insurance claims)
• Ensure claims are always substantiated with proper documentation and analysis
• Liaise with legal counsel and clients and propose appropriate expert services to support any claims as necessary
• Execute due diligence on the oppositions argument(s), their team (e.g. counsel and experts) and seeks ways to mitigate any associated risk
• Track claim outcomes and lessons learned for future improvement
• Oversee and manage all incoming disputes and claims ensuring the right level of record keeping in support of same
• Develop and propose internal solutions for early settlement with a key focus on legal expenditure, exposure and potential recovery

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the commercial point of contact for key stakeholders
• Ensure open dialogue with clients and stakeholders
• Actively engage and promote a level of trust and respect between all parties
• Manage expectations and resolve conflicts diplomatically

Reporting & Documentation

• Ensure detailed contemporaneous records (daily, weekly reports) are executed properly and maintained.
• Maintain contract records and audit trails for accountability
• Produce detailed commercial reports for internal stakeholders or project board members
• Present financial summaries, risk assessments, and performance metrics
• Support board-level reporting and strategic decision-making
• Maintain dashboards and tools for real-time commercial insights
• Report and maintain any significant data (e.g. disputes or claims) in accordance with the company’s internal policies and platforms

Project Closure

• Oversee final account settlements and close-out documentation (as-builts records, operational manuals etc.)
• Ensure all commercial obligations are fulfilled (punch, snag lists etc.)
• Manage receipt of any completion certificates as defined by the contract
• Ensure recovery of all bonds and or securities
• Conduct post-project reviews and commercial audits
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement
• Archive commercial records in line with the company’s retention policies
• Continue supporting any ongoing pursuits beyond completion (legal disputes etc.)
• Ensure effective handover with maintenance or asset management teams as necessary   

Qualifications:

• Background in Quantify Surveying for construction or Civil Engineering, or both.
• Additional qualifications or professional memberships are preferable such as construction law education, dispute resolution background in construction, chartered surveyors etc.
• 10+ years of experience in the field.