Senior Contract Manager

We are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Manager to lead the contractual and commercial management of large-scale civil construction, building, and high-rise projects.The successful candidate must have a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, primarily with established main contractors, and a strong background in contract administration, claims management, commercial risk, subcontract management, and dispute resolution.The role requires extensive knowledge of FIDIC and other standard construction contracts, with the ability to protect the company’s contractual position throughout the full project lifecycle—from tender review and contract negotiation through execution, completion, and final account settlement.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the contractual and commercial management of multiple civil, building, and high-rise construction projects.Review tender documents, contracts, conditions of contract, specifications, drawings, and commercial terms before contract award.Identify contractual, commercial, legal, and financial risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.Participate in contract negotiations with clients, consultants, joint-venture partners, subcontractors, and suppliers.Manage the preparation, review, and administration of main contracts, subcontracts, consultancy agreements, purchase orders, and other contractual documents.Ensure that project teams comply with all contractual obligations, notice requirements, timelines, and documentation procedures.Prepare, review, and submit contractual notices, variation claims, extension-of-time claims, disruption claims, loss and expense claims, and other contractual submissions.Develop claim strategies supported by contemporaneous records, programmes, cost data, correspondence, and contractual provisions.Assess and respond to claims submitted by subcontractors and suppliers.Work closely with planning teams to evaluate delays, critical-path impacts, concurrency, acceleration, and prolongation costs.Support project teams in preparing variations, change orders, interim payment applications, final accounts, and commercial settlements.Monitor contractual milestones, payment terms, insurance requirements, bonds, guarantees, warranties, liquidated damages, and limitation-of-liability provisions.Lead contractual correspondence with clients, consultants, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.Provide contractual advice to senior management, project directors, commercial managers, quantity surveyors, and project teams.Manage disputes and support negotiation, mediation, adjudication, arbitration, or litigation proceedings when required.Coordinate with internal and external legal counsel, delay experts, quantum experts, and claims consultants.Review project records and ensure that adequate documentation is maintained to support claims and defend the company against potential liabilities.Conduct contractual and commercial audits across projects and recommend corrective actions.Support the preparation and negotiation of project close-out agreements and final settlements.Provide training and guidance to project teams on contract awareness, claims procedures, and contractual compliance.Prepare periodic reports on contractual risks, claims status, disputes, potential liabilities, and commercial exposure.Ensure compliance with company policies, delegated authorities, governance requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Law, or a related discipline.A postgraduate qualification in Construction Law, Contract Management, Arbitration, or Commercial Management is an advantage.Professional membership such as MRICS, MCIOB, MCIArb, or equivalent is preferred.Minimum 15 years of experience in contracts, claims, or commercial management within the construction industry.Significant experience working for reputable main contractors is mandatory.Proven experience managing contracts for major civil, building, mixed-use, residential, commercial, hospitality, and high-rise projects.Strong knowledge of FIDIC Red Book, Yellow Book, and other standard forms of construction contracts.Demonstrated experience in extension-of-time claims, variation claims, prolongation claims, disruption claims, and final account negotiations.Experience in delay analysis, claims substantiation, dispute avoidance, and dispute resolution.Strong understanding of construction methodologies, project planning, cost management, procurement, and subcontract administration.Previous experience in the UAE or GCC construction market is highly preferred.