Contracts Specialist Middle East Region - 100% M F

ARX is a global network of specialists in engineering, design, and architecture. Our team offers 360° consulting, project management, and technical services in:

airports, bridges, buildings, cableways,

digital innovation, environment, equipment,

geology, geotechnics, hydropower, metros,

nuclear plants, oil & gas, pipelines, ports,

railways, river engineering, roads, traffic,

tunnels, and water/wastewater treatment.

With offices across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, our agile task force combines global expertise with local know-how. The result is our uniquely "glocal" approach, which allows us to meet the specific needs of each community while incorporating international best practices. At ARX, smart minds strive for a sustainable future, transforming communities one innovative project at a time.

People are the heart and soul of ARX. We are a home for innovators, visionaries, and experts to develop talents, launch careers, and collaborate with fellow specialists. ARX values individuals. Believing their brilliance and determination will provide solutions to tomorrows challenges, we welcome professionals who will both benefit from and enrich our team.

ARX, marks a significant expansion into the Middle East with its offices in UAE and KSA. This underscores our dedication to innovation and engineering excellence, bolstering our position in the dynamic GCC market.

For our office in Dubai, we are looking for

Contracts Specialist - Middle East Region - 100% (m/f)

The ideal candidate will bring solid experience in contracts administration and management within the design engineering, project management consultancy (PMC), or construction industry. Reporting to the Regional Contracts Director, the Contracts Specialist will play a key supporting role in safeguarding the Companys interests across its Middle East portfolio by administering contracts, monitoring compliance with regional regulations, and assisting on contractual and commercial risk matters. With strong attention to detail, sound judgement, and a collaborative approach, the candidate will support project teams, business development, and senior management in achieving successful project and corporate outcomes

Responsibilities:

• Support the Regional Contracts Director in the drafting, review, and negotiation of consultancy agreements, sub-consultant agreements, NDAs, teaming and joint venture agreements, framework agreements, and other project-related contracts with clients, partners, and subcontractors across the Middle East.
• Provide day-to-day contractual support to project managers and engineering teams throughout the project lifecycle, including interpretation of scope, deliverables, obligations, and key contract terms.
• Review tender documents, RFPs, RFQs, and client invitations to bid; identify contractual, commercial, and risk issues and propose qualifications, clarifications, and mitigations for the Contracts Directors review.
• Maintain the regional contracts register, contract database, and document repository, ensuring accurate, complete, and up-to-date records of all executed agreements, amendments, variations, and related correspondence.
• Track key contractual milestones, obligations, notices, renewal and expiry dates, performance security validity, and limitation periods, and proactively alert the relevant project and management stakeholders.
• Assist in the management of variations, change orders, claims, and disputes, including the preparation of contractual notices, correspondence, and supporting documentation in accordance with the contract requirements.
• Monitor compliance with the terms of executed contracts, internal policies, delegations of authority, and applicable laws and regulations across the jurisdictions in which the Company operates (including the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Egypt).
• Support the development, rollout, and continuous improvement of standard contract templates, playbooks, checklists, and contract management procedures.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders - project delivery, business development, finance, HR, insurance, and QHSE - and with external counsel as required, to ensure the timely and effective resolution of contractual matters.
• Assist in delivering internal awareness sessions and briefings for staff on contract management, key risk areas, regulatory updates, and lessons learned from completed and ongoing projects.
• Carry out such other duties as may reasonably be required by the Regional Contracts Director from time to time.
  
  

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, or Construction Management.
• A Masters degree in Construction Law, Construction Management, or a related discipline is an advantage
• Minimum 8-12 years relevant experience in contracts administration or contract management, preferably gained within an international design engineering firm, project management consultancy, or construction environment.
• A minimum of 3 years experience in the Middle East region is mandatory; broader GCC exposure (UAE, KSA, Qatar) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience supporting consultancy-side (engineer / PMC) contracts, as opposed to purely contractor-side, is preferred
• Working knowledge of the FIDIC suite of contracts - in particular the White Book (Client/Consultant Model Services Agreement), Red Book, Yellow Book, and Silver Book - and bespoke consultancy agreements.
• Familiarity with regional commercial, civil, and labour laws across the Middle East (e.g. UAE Federal laws and free-zone regimes, KSA Government Tenders and Procurement Law and its Implementing Regulations) and with the regulatory environment for engineering consultancies.
• Practical experience in contract drafting, review, and negotiation.
• Awareness of common dispute resolution mechanisms in the region (arbitration under DIAC, ADGMAC, SCCA, ICC; expert determination; mediation).
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); experience with contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools is an advantage
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, well-structured written work.
• Sound judgement in balancing legal and contractual risk against commercial objectives and project realities.
• Effective stakeholder management; collaborative team player able to work across multiple offices, time zones, and cultures.
• Self-motivated, well-organised, and able to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• High standards of integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and professional ethics
  
  

Certifications (Preferred):

• Memberships - RICS (MRICS), CIArb (MCIArb).
  
  

Additional Skills:

• Experience supporting design and project management contracts on mega-projects or government-led programmes in the Middle East.
• Proven ability to support multiple, concurrent high-value and complex contracts under tight deadlines.
• Middle East experience is mandatory.
  
  

We Offer:

• Opportunity to collaborate with a forward-thinking, synergistic, and innovative team.
• Exposure to cutting-edge projects driving Middle East / North African regions development.
• Personalized professional growth and developmental avenues tailored to your career aspirations.
  
  

If you would you like to join our highly motivated and very successful team, please send us your complete application!

Sector: Construction/Civil Engineering

Role: Engineering

Will manage other people: No

Job type: Permanent job

Career level: Employee

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