Contracts Lead

Contract Type
Contract

Work Location
Khobar or Jafurah, Saudi Arabia

Estimated Start Date
ASAP

Contract Duration
Until 31 December 2026 (possible extension for one year)

Work Hours
48 hours per week

Job Description

Responsibilities

Contract Strategy and Procurement Support
- Support the development and implementation of project contracting strategies aligned with project objectives.
- Prepare and review tendering and contract documentation, including scopes of work, commercial terms, and bid evaluation criteria.
- Participate in contractor prequalification, tender evaluation, commercial assessment, and contract award recommendations.
- Support commercial negotiations with contractors and service providers on behalf of the client.

Contract Administration and Advisory
- Provide contractual guidance to project management and functional teams throughout contract execution.
- Monitor contractor compliance with contractual obligations, milestones, deliverables, and performance requirements.
- Review and assess contract amendments, variation orders, change requests, and commercial proposals.
- Ensure contractual records, correspondence, and documentation are maintained in accordance with project procedures.

Commercial and Risk Management
- Identify and assess contractual and commercial risks and provide mitigation recommendations.
- Support cost control, forecasting, and commercial reporting activities.
- Review contractor payment applications and provide recommendations to the client.
- Assist in managing commercial exposure and protecting the client's interests.

Claims Management and Dispute Avoidance
- Review and evaluate contractor claims, compensation events, and extension of time requests.
- Provide contractual interpretations and recommendations to support decision-making.
- Assist in the preparation of contractual correspondence and responses.
- Support dispute avoidance and resolution efforts through proactive contract management.

Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with client representatives, engineering teams, project controls, procurement, legal, and construction personnel.
- Provide contract and commercial advice to project stakeholders.
- Facilitate alignment between project objectives and contractual obligations.
- Participate in project reviews, risk workshops, and commercial meetings.

Governance and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with project governance requirements, internal procedures, and applicable regulations.
- Promote best practices in contract management and commercial administration.
- Support audits, lessons learned activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

- Minimum 15+ years of contract management and commercial experience in the oil and gas, energy, or petrochemical sectors.
- Proven experience supporting major capital projects in an owner or operator, project management consultancy, or engineering and construction management environment.
- Experience in unconventional gas, upstream oil and gas, shale gas, tight gas, drilling, completions, or gas processing.
- Experience managing or advising on EPC, EPCM, drilling, well services, infrastructure, and construction contracts.
- Middle East experience, particularly Saudi Arabia, is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with regional project delivery and contracting practices is advantageous.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law, Business Administration, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
- Professional certifications such as CIPS, MRICS, CCM, PMP, or equivalent are advantageous.