Contract Manager

We are seeking an experienced Contracts Manager to oversee and manage full-lifecycle contract matters for a mid-sized chemical engineering project. This role will directly participate in the review of terms and conditions, negotiations, risk identification, and performance monitoring during the construction phase of the EPC Contract. The ideal candidate should have experience working on the owner’s side or with a major EPC contractor, be familiar with U.S. federal and Texas state contract law, and be capable of ensuring strong alignment between project progress, cost, and contractual terms through professional contract management. Key Responsibilities 1. Pre-Award Phase & Terms Review Terms Review & Negotiation: Lead or participate in the review of terms and conditions, provide input on clauses, and engage in negotiations for EPC contracts, design contracts, and major equipment procurement agreements. Focus on risk boundaries during project execution (risk identification and terms proposal), obligations and liabilities of both parties, indemnity, limitation of liability, force majeure, change order processes, and payment terms. Risk Identification: Assess commercial and legal risks in contracts from the owner’s perspective, particularly ambiguities in responsibilities between the owner and contractor. Propose risk mitigation strategies for common local challenges such as hurricanes in the Houston area and supply chain disruptions. Contract Finalization: Lead clause negotiations with contractors, collaborating with the project manager, procurement team, engineering team, design team, project controls department, and internal/external legal counsel to ensure the final contract text accurately reflects the project scope and commercial intent. 2. Construction Performance & Compliance Monitoring New Payment Application Review: Strictly review contractor submissions (including change requests, delay claims, formal correspondence, and payment applications) for compliance with contract requirements. If submissions do not align with contractual rights and obligations, lead drafting responses and interfacing with the contractor. Delay Analysis: Collaborate with the project controls department to track the project schedule. In the event of delays, analyze based on contract terms to determine whether they constitute excusable or non-excusable delays, and prepare documentation for extension of time (EOT) or counterclaims accordingly. Change Management: Review contractor-submitted change orders for alignment with contractual rights and obligations. For non-compliant submissions, lead drafting responses and interface with the contractor. For valid changes, collaborate with project controls to verify authenticity and pricing basis (e.g., labor and material unit rates per the contract) to prevent scope creep. Correspondence Management: Stay aligned with daily project activities. Upon identifying potential risks during execution by project teams, consider contract compliance and evidence chain preparation. Lead the drafting, review, and archiving of routine commercial correspondence, meeting minutes, and notices exchanged with the contractor to ensure all communications are contractually binding or serve as legal evidence. 3. Compliance & Dispute Resolution Compliance Checks: Ensure contractors comply with applicable labor laws and regulations at the project location (Houston/Texas), as well as import/export requirements. Claims & Dispute Resolution: Anticipate potential disputes and assist the project manager in handling claims and counterclaims. Provide detailed contract interpretation and factual evidence before disputes escalates to mediation or arbitration. 4. Documentation & Reporting Contract File Management: Maintain comprehensive electronic and physical files for all contracts and amendments. Ensure the completeness and validity of critical documents (e.g., insurance certificates, bonds, payment records). Status Reporting: Regularly report to the project management team on contract status, potential risks, change order backlogs, and payment forecasts. Qualifications Basic Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, construction management, law, or supply chain management. Experience: 8+ years of contracts management experience in large-scale industrial/chemical/energy projects, with full-cycle involvement in at least two EPC projects valued at over $50 million. Technical Knowledge: Proficient in U.S. contract law (UCC and common law principles); familiarity with AIA, ConsensusDocs, or FIDIC contract suites is preferred. Key Skills Technical Understanding: Ability to interpret construction drawings, schedule logic, and technical specifications, and translate technical issues into contractual language. Negotiation Skills: Strong commercial negotiation skills to protect company interests while maintaining positive relationships with contractors. Language & Communication: Fluent in English (written and verbal), with the ability to draft precise and unambiguous contractual correspondence. Software Proficiency: Proficient in MS Office, particularly advanced Excel functions. Personal Attributes High integrity and professional ethics, with the ability to make objective judgments under pressure. Detail-oriented with strong logical thinking and analytical skills. Ability to collaborate effectively in a multicultural team and adapt to a fast-paced site environment. We Offer Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus 401(k) matching. Opportunity to participate in a landmark chemical expansion project in the Houston area. #J-18808-Ljbffr