Contracts Lead

Job Purpose

To lead and manage contract administration and contractual activities across assigned projects, ensuring effective contract governance, compliance, risk management, and protection of the organization’s commercial and contractual interests throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract administration activities across assigned projects from contract award through completion and close-out.

• Review, interpret, and administer contracts to ensure compliance with contractual terms, obligations, and organizational requirements.

• Support the development, review, negotiation, and finalization of contracts, agreements, amendments, and associated documentation.

• Monitor contractual obligations, deliverables, milestones, notices, and key dates to ensure timely compliance by all parties.

• Manage contractual correspondence, notices, claims, variations, extensions of time, and other contract-related matters.

• Review and assess contractor and consultant claims and provide contractual recommendations to project and commercial leadership.

• Identify contractual risks, liabilities, and potential areas of exposure and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

• Coordinate with Commercial, Procurement, Project, Technical, Finance, and Legal teams on contractual matters.

• Support tendering and procurement activities through review of contractual terms, conditions, scopes, and proposed amendments.

• Provide contractual advice and guidance to project teams to support effective decision-making.

• Lead contractual negotiations with contractors, consultants, suppliers, and other service providers where required.

• Ensure appropriate change control procedures are followed and contractual implications of changes are properly assessed and documented.

• Maintain accurate records of contracts, amendments, correspondence, notices, claims, variations, and contractual decisions.

• Monitor contractor and consultant compliance with contractual requirements and escalate significant areas of non-compliance.

• Support dispute avoidance and resolution processes through effective contract administration and documentation.

• Prepare contractual reports, assessments, and recommendations for senior management.

• Support final account negotiations, contract close-out, and settlement of outstanding contractual matters.

• Ensure contract management activities comply with organizational governance, delegated authorities, and applicable policies and procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Law, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.

• Professional accreditation such as MRICS, RICS, or equivalent would be preferred.

• Minimum 10–12 years of relevant contracts and commercial experience, including experience managing major construction or consultancy contracts.

• Strong experience within real estate development, construction, infrastructure, or major project environments.

• Strong knowledge of contract administration and standard forms of construction contracts, including FIDIC where applicable.

• Demonstrated experience managing claims, variations, extensions of time, contractual notices, and dispute-related matters.

• Strong experience in contract negotiation, risk assessment, and contractual interpretation.

• Experience working with contractors, consultants, project teams, commercial teams, and senior stakeholders.

Key Competencies

Contract Management • Contract Administration • FIDIC • Claims & Variations • Contractual Risk Management • Negotiation • Commercial Acumen • Change Management • Dispute Avoidance & Resolution • Contractual Correspondence • Stakeholder Management • Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills