Job Description:

The Senior Contracts Administrator is responsible for managing the end-to-end commercial and contractual administration of medium-to-large-scale commercial projects (Utilities). With approximately 6 years of experience, this role provides strong support to the Contracts Manager and Project Director, ensuring that all contractual obligations are met, variations are managed, and project financial outcomes are optimized.

The Senior Contracts Administrator works closely with the client, project, procurement, design, and site teams to manage head contracts and subcontracts, mitigate commercial risk, and maintain accurate and timely project financial reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Contract & Commercial Management

• Review, interpret, and administer head contracts (FIDIC) for assigned commercial projects.
• Ensure compliance with all contractual obligations, including notices, deliverables, insurances, bonds, and warranties.
• Prepare and manage contract correspondence, including notices of delay, extension of time, variation notices, and claims, in accordance with contract requirements and time bars.
• Support negotiation and agreement of contract terms, amendments, and commercial resolutions with clients and key subcontractors.

Variations, Claims & Dispute Support

• Identify, evaluate, and price variations and claims arising from design changes, site conditions, client instructions, and program impacts.
• Prepare variation proposals, substantiation, and supporting documentation for client approval.
• Assist in the preparation and defense of contractual claims, including delay and disruption claims, in collaboration with planners and project managers.
• Support the Contracts Manager in managing and resolving commercial issues and disputes with clients and subcontractors, escalating as needed.

Subcontract Administration

• Prepare and issue tender packages to subcontractors, including scopes of work, commercial conditions, and tender evaluation criteria.
• Evaluate subcontractor tenders, support negotiation of terms, and make recommendations for award.
• Draft, review, and administer subcontracts, ensuring back-to-back alignment with head contract obligations.
• Manage subcontractor progress claims, variations, extensions of time, and final accounts, ensuring timely assessment and payment in line with contract requirements.

Cost Control, Reporting & Forecasting

• Assist in preparing and maintaining project budgets, cost plans, and cash flow forecasts.
• Prepare monthly cost reports, including cost to complete, committed and incurred costs, and forecast final cost.
• Track and report on commercial performance indicators, including margin, variation status, contingency usage, and risk/opportunity registers.
• Work with finance and project teams to reconcile project accounts, address discrepancies, and support accurate revenue recognition.

Procurement & Commercial Risk Management

• Support development and implementation of procurement strategies for trades and suppliers aligned with project program and budget.
• Identify commercial and contractual risks, propose mitigation measures, and ensure they are reflected in contracts and commercial arrangements.
• Ensure appropriate levels of insurance, securities, guarantees, and warranties are in place and maintained throughout the project.
• Assist in supplier and subcontractor performance reviews from a commercial standpoint.

Documentation & Governance

• Maintain comprehensive and well-organized commercial records, including correspondence, contract documents, variations, claims, minutes, and approvals.
• Ensure adherence to company commercial policies, procedures, and delegations of authority.
• Contribute to internal audits, commercial reviews, and lessons-learned activities.
• Support the preparation of project close-out documentation, including final accounts and commercial reports.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying (ideally), Construction Management, Law, or Commerce
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in contracts administration, quantity surveying, or commercial management within the construction or property sector.
• Demonstrated experience on commercial projects (Utilities or industrial facilities).
• Experience administering standard form construction contracts and managing subcontractors in a commercial environment.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Professional membership or working toward membership in a relevant body.
• Project management or contract law short courses/certifications are an advantage.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Solid understanding of construction contract law, standard forms of contract, and commercial risk allocation.
• Strong skills in contract administration, including variations, claims, EOTs, and final accounts.
• Proficiency with cost reporting, budgeting, and forecasting on construction projects.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with clients, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders.
• High level of numerical accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical capability.
• Proficiency with relevant software, contract administration systems, estimating tools, and document management platforms (Aconex).
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced project environment.
• Proactive, commercially minded, and solutions focused.

Key Performance Indicators

• Accuracy and timeliness of cost reports and forecasts.
• Effectiveness in managing variations, claims, and contractual notices (minimal time-bar breaches).
• Quality and completeness of subcontract administration and documentation.
• Contribution to achieving or improving targeted project margins.
• Stakeholder satisfaction (Commercial Manager, Project Manager, client, and subcontractors).

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