Contract Manager

Senior Contracts & Claims Manager

Position Summary

The Senior Contracts & Claims Manager provides commercial leadership and contract management support for large-scale capital projects, including greenfield and brownfield facilities. This role is responsible for protecting contractual rights, managing commercial risk, administering contracts, and leading claims and dispute resolution activities throughout the project lifecycle. The position partners closely with project management, procurement, engineering, legal, finance, and external contractors to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Management

• Develop and support procurement, contracting, and commercial execution strategies for major capital projects.
• Review, negotiate, and administer complex construction, EPC/EPCM, supplier, and service agreements.
• Ensure contract terms are properly executed and all parties meet their contractual obligations.
• Manage contract modifications, change orders, extensions, variations, and commercial correspondence.
• Monitor contractor performance, contractual compliance, warranties, guarantees, and commercial deliverables.
• Prepare contract summaries, risk assessments, and executive-level recommendations for project leadership.

Claims & Dispute Management

• Lead the identification, preparation, evaluation, negotiation, and resolution of contract claims.
• Develop strategies for managing change events, delays, disruption claims, and cost impacts.
• Analyze and defend incoming contractor claims while maximizing opportunities for recovery and entitlement.
• Maintain thorough claim documentation and support dispute resolution activities, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation preparation when necessary.

Commercial & Cost Controls

• Collaborate with project controls and cost management teams to monitor project costs, progress measurement, cash flow, back charges, guarantees, and financial exposures.
• Evaluate commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect project objectives.
• Support cost optimization initiatives and drive value throughout the procurement and project execution process.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, suppliers, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Support supplier performance management through commercial reviews, audits, metrics, and scorecards.
• Serve as a key commercial advisor to project teams, procurement, engineering, legal, and finance functions.
• Escalate and resolve complex contractual and commercial issues to minimize project impacts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Contract Management, Legal Studies, or a related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in commercial management, contract administration, claims management, quantity surveying, project controls, or construction management.
• Proven experience supporting large-scale CAPEX, industrial, infrastructure, manufacturing, or construction projects.
• Strong background in contract negotiations, commercial risk management, dispute resolution, and change management.
• Experience working with EPC, EPCM, or major construction contractors.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in highly regulated industries such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food manufacturing, life sciences, or advanced manufacturing.
• Professional certifications such as MRICS, MCIOB, MCIArb, AACE, CCP, PSP, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with international construction contracts and commercial frameworks.

Key Skills

• Contract Strategy & Administration
• Claims & Dispute Resolution
• Change Order Management
• Commercial Risk Management
• Cost Control & Forecasting
• EPC/EPCM Project Delivery
• Construction and CAPEX Procurement
• Supplier & Contractor Management
• Financial and Business Acumen
• Negotiation & Influencing Skills
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Project Controls & Commercial Reporting