Contracts Manager, Industrial

Contracts Manager, Industrial

McGough is a respected partner that brings six generations of experience to high profile, unique and complex construction projects. We take great pride in our people and their extraordinary expertise in planning, development, construction and facility management. McGough employee tenure reflects the commitment and pride we share in our work. Ask anyone who knows us - the caliber of our people sets us apart.

The Contracts Manager is an operations-focused commercial leader within McGough's Industrial operating unit, responsible for managing contract strategy, commercial risk, and negotiations across the full project lifecycle—from early pursuit and FEED through execution, change management, and closeout.

This role bridges project management, estimating, procurement, and field operations, ensuring contract terms align with execution strategy and that commercial risks are actively managed throughout delivery. The Contracts Manager supports integrated EPC and design-build projects across McGough's core industrial markets including Energy & Power, Industrial Process, and Water/Wastewater.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 10–15+ years of experience in industrial construction, EPC project management, or commercial/project controls roles
• Demonstrated experience managing contracts in EPC, design-build, CMAR, or lump sum delivery models
• Strong experience with contract negotiation, change management, and claims avoidance
• Proven ability to translate contract requirements into operational execution strategies
• Experience working directly with project teams, subcontractors, and clients

• Experience with large-scale industrial or process facilities
• Experience supporting FEED / FEL phases and progressive contracting models
• Experience with dispute resolution, claims management, or commercial strategy
• Professional certifications (CCM, PMP, PSP, or equivalent)
• Experience supporting procurement on EPC projects

Skills:

• Change management and claims avoidance
• Strong understanding of construction cost, schedule, and risk drivers
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills
• Ability to translate contract terms into execution strategy
• Risk identification, documentation, and dispute resolution
• Cross-functional collaboration with operations and project teams
• Executive communication and leadership skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Process improvement and Lean mindset
• Knowledge of standard construction contract forms (DBIA, AIA, EJCDC, ConsensusDocs)
• Proficiency with project controls, contract management, and Microsoft Office tools
• Ability to develop commercial standards, templates, and best practices

Core Responsibilities:

Contract Management & Execution

• Serve as the primary commercial advisor to Project Managers and Operations teams
• Interpret contract requirements and ensure alignment with project execution
• Develop and maintain contract compliance strategies across all project phases
• Support project teams in understanding key contract provisions
• Work with procurement department preparing commercial bid tabs
• Ensure proper documentation and communication of contractual matters

Risk Management & Claims Avoidance

• Proactively identify and manage commercial risks throughout the project lifecycle
• Support development and maintenance of project risk registers
• Advise project teams on risk mitigation strategies tied to contract terms
• Assist in resolving disputes through negotiation and commercial strategy
• Support claims avoidance through proper documentation, communication, and execution alignment
• When required, support preparation of claims or defense strategies in coordination with leadership

Subcontract & Procurement Support

• Partner with procurement teams in development and negotiation of subcontract agreements
• Ensure subcontract terms align with prime contract obligations and risk posture
• Support subcontractor selection and bid leveling from a commercial perspective
• Advise project teams on subcontractor performance and contractual compliance
• Assist in resolving subcontractor disputes and change negotiations

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with Project Executives, Project Managers, Superintendents, Estimators, and Procurement teams
• Provide training and guidance to operations teams on contract awareness and commercial best practices
• Lead internal contract review meetings and executive briefings
• Foster strong relationships with clients, subcontractors, and partners
• Support Lean initiatives and continuous improvement practices
• Promote a culture of proactive commercial management across projects

Business & Strategy Support

• Support development of McGough's industrial contracting strategies and standard work
• Maintain awareness of market trends, contract structures, and risk allocation practices in EPC industry
• Contribute to development of contract templates, playbooks, and best practices
• Support continuous improvement in commercial processes and tools

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate as an active member of the Industrial team
• Collaborate across departments to support project success
• Attend and participate in company meetings and industry events
• Attend training and professional development relevant to the position
• Actively participate in company-sponsored events
• Support and follow standards of work
• Participate in Lean events and support the McGough Way

Other responsibilities as assigned

Office and Travel:

Office: Based in Corporate or Regional office with hybrid flexibility Travel: Periodic travel to project sites, client meetings, and negotiations required

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position involves sitting for extended periods of time while working at a computer terminal. Employee must be able to communicate effectively in a typical office environment with a standard level of office noise. Occasional standing, bending, walking and lifting is also required.

Employee will be required to visit construction jobsites, which may expose the employee to dirt, dust, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions and extreme temperatures. In addition, employee must be able to move around prospective or current project sites. This includes walking on uneven surfaces, walking long distances, and climbing stairs.

In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, the base salary range for this position is $120,000 to $155,000, excluding fringe benefits or potential bonuses. If you join McGough, your final base salary will be determined by several factors, including geography, location, skills, education, and experience. Furthermore, we place significant value on pay equity among our current team members as part of any final job offer.

Please note that the range provided above reflects the hiring range for this role. Hiring near the top end of this range would be atypical, as we aim to allow room for future salary growth. Additionally, McGough offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes insurance coverage for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. We also provide generous retirement plans, voluntary benefit plans, parental leave, substantial paid time off, and holiday pay.