Contracts Director

Contracts Director – Construction (Turnkey Design & Build)

Recruiter: TacQ Talent Management

Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng

Industry: Social Infrastructure (Student & Social Housing, Clinics & Hospitals, Schools & Universities)

Reporting to an Executive

About the Employer

A leading Turnkey (Design and Build) Contractor, based in Johannesburg, is seeking a strategic and commercially astute Contracts Director to take ownership of the contractual, commercial, and governance leadership of its portfolio of large-scale social infrastructure projects. The portfolio spans student and social housing developments, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions across the region.

This is a senior leadership appointment for an experienced construction professional who can set the contractual and commercial strategy for the business, lead and mentor a team of Contracts Managers and Quantity Surveyors, and represent the organisation at executive and client level. The successful candidate will carry ultimate accountability for contractual compliance, commercial performance, and risk governance across all projects, from concept through to completion (Stages 1–6).

You will report to executive management and work closely with the development, project delivery, and executive teams, as well as professional consultants, contractors, and client representatives, to ensure the business's project portfolio is delivered on time, within budget, and in full accordance with regulatory and contractual requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Contract Leadership & Governance

• Own the contractual strategy and governance framework across the organisation's project portfolio.
• Set standards for contract documentation and administration (JBCC, NEC, FIDIC or relevant forms).
• Provide final review, sign-off, and negotiation authority on high-value contracts, amendments, and variations.
• Direct claims management, dispute resolution, and contractual risk strategy at a portfolio level.
• Establish and continuously improve contract management policies, systems, and controls.

2. Commercial & Financial Leadership

• Hold accountability for commercial performance, budgets, and cash flow across the project portfolio.
• Oversee evaluation and approval of contractor and subcontractor payment applications at scale.
• Lead portfolio-wide cost control, variations, change order, and commercial reporting processes.
• Shape procurement strategy and lead negotiation of major commercial and supply chain agreements.
• Ensure full alignment between contractual commitments, cost forecasts, and overall business financial performance.

3. Portfolio & Project Delivery Oversight

• Provide senior oversight of Project Managers and Contracts Managers to ensure contractual compliance across all project stages (1–6).
• Guide planning, scheduling, and resourcing decisions across multiple concurrent projects.
• Ensure deliverables across the portfolio meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Act as the escalation point for significant project risks, delays, or contractual disputes.
• Drive consistency and best practice in contract administration across all project teams.

4. Compliance, Governance & Risk Management

• Ensure organisation-wide adherence to statutory requirements, building regulations, and industry standards.
• Design and implement contract governance frameworks, risk registers, and assurance processes.
• Provide senior oversight of OHS compliance in collaboration with safety leadership.
• Identify, quantify, and manage contractual and commercial risk across the full project lifecycle.

5. Stakeholder, Client & Executive Engagement

• Build and maintain senior relationships with clients, funders, consultants, and internal executive teams.
• Represent the organisation at executive-level negotiations, board reporting, and high-profile client engagements.
• Provide clear, authoritative communication on contractual, commercial, and risk matters to executive stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor to executive management on contractual and commercial strategy.

6. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Contracts Managers, Quantity Surveyors, and commercial staff.
• Build organisational capability in contract administration, negotiation, and dispute management.
• Foster a collaborative, solutions-driven culture across the commercial and contracts function.

7. Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare and present contractual and commercial reports, risk assessments, and portfolio summaries to executive management and the board.
• Ensure all documentation across the portfolio is audit-ready and aligned with corporate governance requirements.
• Maintain oversight of records of key decisions, negotiations, and contractual communications.

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or Quantity Surveying; a postgraduate, legal, or commercial qualification is advantageous.
• 15-20+ years' experience in contract management within the construction industry, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership or director-level role.
• Proven track record leading the contracts and commercial function across multiple large-scale, complex social infrastructure projects.
• Expert knowledge of JBCC, NEC, FIDIC, or similar contract forms, with demonstrated authority in high-value negotiations.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, including portfolio-level budgeting, cost control, and P&L oversight.
• Solid understanding of project lifecycle stages (1–6) and multi-project delivery environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing and developing contracts and commercial teams.
• Exceptional executive communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.
• Based in, or willing to relocate to, the Johannesburg area.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Advanced contract drafting, interpretation, and negotiation skills at an executive level.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen, with exposure to business development.
• Professional registration (e.g. SACPCMP, ECSA, SACQSP) advantageous.
• Experience with formal dispute resolution or arbitration processes.
• High attention to detail combined with strong organisational and governance discipline.
• Collaborative, solutions-driven leadership style with the gravitas to influence at board level.

Application Process

TacQ Talent Management is proudly partnering with this Turnkey Contractor to identify top talent for this critical leadership role. If you meet the requirements and are ready to lead the contracts and commercial function on impactful social infrastructure projects in the Johannesburg area, we encourage you to apply to [email protected]

Pay: Up to R2 000 000,00 per year

Education:

• Bachelors (Required)

Experience:

• Construction: 8 years (Required)

Work Location: In person