Senior Subcontracts Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Our Senior Subcontracts Manager leads the Subcontracts & Sourcing pillar at Strata Clean Energy. This role is responsible for developing, negotiating and administering the most complex and highest-risk subcontracts and vendor agreements for construction-related projects. This position works with the Director and PMO Leadership to set institutional standards that establish the team’s commercial positions, owns project subcontracts, and converts patterns in negotiated deviations into improvements to Strata’s templates and playbooks. Relationship building is central to this role, internally and externally. This position is full-time in-office at our Durham NC headquarters.

Summary:  

We’re leading the industry in sustainable energy careers. We understand that our employees are the lifeblood of the company. We strive to align company goals with those of our employees. We're constantly innovating to make a difference for our customers, our employees, and our planet. Our mission is to make a difference by developing cost-efficient alternatives to traditional energy sources, without long-term dependence on government subsidies. We’re leading the industry in sustainable energy careers. We hope you’ll join us. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

LEADERSHIP:

• Lead, coach and develop the Subcontracts Managers; review their work and provide guidance.
• Motivate and inspire by creating an environment of support and positive communication.
• Allocate work across the team against risk tier, business-unit priority and capacity rather than first-come, first-served.
• Maintain heavy focus on cross-functional unity, communication, and collaboration between this team and Legal, Project Management, Finance, Project Controls, Supply Chain, Scheduling, Front-end, and Engineering.

HIGH-RISK SUBCONTRACT & CONTRACT OWNERSHIP:

• Own critical work: third-party paper, non-standard terms, first-of-kind scopes, agreements above the delegated value threshold, and any deviation falling outside the set terms.
• Lead negotiations on indemnity, limitation of liability, warranty, liquidated damages, insurance, payment, termination and dispute resolution, partnering with Legal and Project Management where risk acceptance is required.
• Prepare and oversee RFPs, evaluate proposals and price matrices, and provide input into award decisions based on a portfolio-level rather than single-project view.
• Manage all aspects of subcontract administration on assigned work: bidding, prequalified bidders, negotiation, execution, change orders and closeout after substantial completion.
• Review project schedules and plan work accordingly, applying scheduling logic, the downstream impact of commercial decisions, and backwards planning.

PLAYBOOK & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

• Advise on deviations from standard terms and conditions to Legal Counsel and Director of Subcontracts & Contract Administration, and suggest changes as patterns in deviations emerge to produce clearer contract language.
• Partner with Legal and the Director of Subcontracts & Contract Administration to develop the subcontracts playbook — preferred, acceptable and unacceptable positions by clause.
• Own the quarterly deviation pattern review and translate it into template and playbook revisions.
• Own the subcontract exhibit set. Periodically review exhibits (quarterly) to assess and correct potential scope gaps — and treat recurring change orders as evidence of a template defect rather than a one-off.
• Own the bid form and RFP package standard, including current manpower and availability, milestone-based rather than schedule-based payment terms, and language addressing the volatile nature of construction scheduling. Establish the construction review step after an RFP is issued.
• Own the bond and surety standard, including the documented value threshold and any evidence-based exemption pathway for well-qualified, properly prequalified subcontractors. Maintain the relationship with bonding companies.
• Establish and hold the three-bid standard for subcontracted work, partnering with the front end on phase code review so estimates are trued up against market.
• Develop and implement streamlined processes; continuously improve and fine-tune them as lessons are learned.

ENTERPRISE SCOPE & REPORTING:

• Oversee the general conditions services required for EPC projects and the equivalent recurring service scopes in other business units.
• Actively track and report contract status and schedule with project teams and management on a weekly basis.
• Maintain well documented files presenting a clear trail of templates, approvals, executed contracts and pending contracts, with the system of record maintained in Ironclad.
• Work extensively with other departments, providing support, data and driving to process.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:  

• 10+ years in subcontracts, contract management or commercial roles, with substantial construction, EPC or energy experience.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex, high-value negotiations on third-party paper without senior support.
• Experience leading, reviewing or coaching other contract professionals, whether or not in a formal supervisory role.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to dissect high-level information into detail and communicate results effectively to the target audience.
• Working fluency with project schedules, scheduling logic and backwards planning.
• Experience with a CLM platform; Ironclad preferred. ViewPoint or comparable construction ERP experience is a plus.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills, and the willingness to over-communicate with cross-functional teams for visibility.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:  

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment.
• Must be able to sit, stand or walk for the entire duration of a workday. 

Perks and Benefits : we offer medical/dental/vision insurance plans, PTO, and 401K with a company matching portion.  

About Us  
Strata Clean Energy is a leading developer, EPC, and service provider for utility-scale solar and storage systems in the United States. We control and self-perform all processes from our nationwide solar and storage developments, to construction, O&M, and Asset Management.  

Our employees are empowered to drive our business in a collaborative, creative, and passion-driven environment that fosters long-term professional growth. There is a lot to learn at Strata, but we’re here to help you give your best and have a good time doing it.  

At Strata, you’re part of something big. We’re leading the industry in sustainable energy careers. We are driving innovation to make a difference for our customers, our employees, and our planet. Join us in powering the future.  

Strata Solar is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.  Strata Solar is an equal employment and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law. 

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