Contracts Manager – R&D Facility

What you will do

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to support the delivery of a capital investment project to design and build a new R&D facility focused on thermal management technologies, including chillers, heat pumps, and advanced HVAC solutions.

This role will be critical in establishing, managing, and governing all contractual frameworks across the lifecycle of the project from design and construction through to commissioning and operational readiness ensuring commercial protection, risk mitigation, and compliance with corporate and regulatory standards.

How you will do it

Contract Setup

• Lead the development and implementation of the contracting strategy for the project, including selection of and adherence to appropriate contract models
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with contractors, consultants, suppliers, and specialist engineering consultants.
• Ensure alignment with corporate procurement policies, governance frameworks, and legal standards.

Commercial & Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and contractual risks associated with a large-scale capital build project.
• Manage contract performance to ensure cost control, schedule adherence, and quality delivery.
• Lead the resolution of commercial disputes, claims, and variations in collaboration with Legal and project leadership.
• Maintain robust change management processes for scope, cost, and schedule adjustments.

Project Delivery Support

• Act as a key commercial partner to the Director of Business Development and Engineering leads, providing contract guidance throughout all project phases.
• Monitor contractor performance against KPIs, SLAs, and contractual obligations.
• Ensure effective governance of milestones, deliverables, and payment mechanisms.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and workstream owners (Engineering, Procurement, Finance, Legal, HR etc) and external partners.
• Act as the primary point of contact for contractual matters with main contractors and key suppliers.
• Support leadership with commercial reporting, insights, and decision-making.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and internal audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate and auditable contract documentation, RFIs, key meeting minutes, decisions and records.
• Support the implementation of best practices in contract lifecycle management and governance.

What we look for

Essential

• Proven experience as a Contract Manager or Commercial Manager on large-scale capital projects.
• Strong background in construction, engineering, or industrial projects ideally within HVAC, thermal systems, or manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation, drafting, and administration.
• Strong knowledge of commercial risk management, claims handling, and dispute resolution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to operate at senior levels.

Desirable

• Experience supporting the build of R&D facilities or manufacturing plants.
• Familiarity with thermal management technologies (chillers, heat pumps, HVAC systems).
• Experience working within a multinational organisation and complex matrix environments.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• Professional accreditation is advantageous, e.g. PMP.

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