Senior Contracts Engineer

Job Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Contracts Engineer with strong experience in the construction and contracting industry to manage and administer contractual matters throughout the project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will have substantial experience working for a main contractor on large-scale building projects, particularly high-rise buildings, residential developments, villas, and mixed-use projects. The role requires strong expertise in FIDIC contracts, variations, claims, EOT, contractual notices, subcontract administration, and commercial coordination.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the administration of construction contracts from award through project completion and close-out.
• Review, interpret, and administer main contracts, subcontract agreements, specifications, BOQs, drawings, and other contractual documents.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, conditions, notice requirements, and project milestones.
• Prepare and issue contractual notices, letters, claims, variation submissions, and other contractual correspondence.
• Identify and evaluate variations, changes, additional works, omissions, and their contractual and commercial implications.
• Prepare, review, and substantiate Extension of Time (EOT), delay, disruption, prolongation, and other contractual claims.
• Monitor project progress and contractual milestones and identify potential delays, risks, and entitlement issues.
• Coordinate with the Planning team on delay analysis, programme impacts, and EOT submissions.
• Review and respond to contractual notices, claims, instructions, and correspondence from clients, consultants, subcontractors, and other stakeholders.
• Administer subcontract agreements and monitor subcontractors’ compliance with contractual obligations.
• Review subcontractor claims, variations, EOT requests, payment-related matters, and final accounts.
• Maintain a comprehensive register of contracts, variations, claims, notices, instructions, and contractual correspondence.
• Support the preparation and negotiation of variations, claims, commercial settlements, and final accounts.
• Review payment provisions, retention, liquidated damages, performance obligations, warranties, and other contractual conditions.
• Coordinate closely with Project Managers, Commercial/Quantity Surveying, Planning, Procurement, Engineering, and Site teams.
• Identify contractual risks and ensure timely escalation of significant issues to management.
• Ensure proper documentation and records are maintained to protect the company’s contractual and commercial position.
• Support contract close-out, including final accounts, release of securities, claims settlement, and completion documentation.
• Prepare regular reports highlighting outstanding contractual matters, variations, claims, risks, and potential exposures.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
• 8–12 years of relevant experience in contracts within the construction and contracting industry.
• Strong experience with a main contractor is essential.
• Proven experience in building construction projects, particularly:
• High-rise buildings
• Villas and villa communities and Residential developments
• Strong practical knowledge of FIDIC contracts and construction contract administration.
• Hands-on experience in claims, EOT, variations, contractual notices, subcontract administration, and final accounts.
• UAE/GCC construction experience required

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of FIDIC and construction contract conditions.
• Contract administration and interpretation.
• Claims preparation and substantiation.
• Variation and change management.
• EOT and delay claims.
• Subcontract administration.
• Contractual risk assessment.
• Commercial and contractual negotiations.
• Dispute avoidance and resolution.

Key Competencies:

• Contract Management
• FIDIC
• Claims Management
• EOT & Delay Analysis
• Variation Management
• Subcontract Administration
• Contractual Correspondence
• Commercial Awareness
• Risk Management
• Negotiation
• Dispute Resolution
• Stakeholder Management
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
• Strong Documentation & Reporting