Contracts Specialist

Overview

Contracts Specialist,

Contract Specialist

Key Leadership Responsibilities

• Strategic Business Partner: Collaborate closely with the Head of Commercial and Contracts and the leadership team to support the development and execution of the UAE business strategy.
• Contracts & Risk Leadership: Lead all contract‑related activities, ensuring contractual and legal risks are proactively identified, mitigated, and managed across the full project lifecycle.
• Customer‑Centric Approach: Promote pragmatic, balanced contractual solutions that protect the business while enabling long‑term client relationships.
• Growth & Market Enablement: Go beyond traditional contract management by supporting bid strategies, identifying commercial opportunities, and enabling effective go‑to‑market initiatives.
• Team Contributor: Actively contribute to cross‑functional leadership discussions, organizational performance, and a culture of accountability and delivery.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Finance, Operations, Project Delivery, and Legal teams to ensure alignment on commercial strategy and execution.
• Compliance & Ethics Champion: Ensure full compliance with internal policies, UAE regulations, and ethical standards, providing guidance and training where required.

• Pre‑Award (Tendering & Bid Phase)

• Review and analyse tender and contract documents to identify commercial, contractual, and legal risks
• Lead contractual inputs into bids, proposals, and commercial submissions
• Develop deviations, clarifications, and contractual strategies in coordination with Sales, Legal, Finance, Logistics, and technical teams
• Lead contract negotiations with clients, partners, and suppliers to secure balanced and compliant terms in line with company policy
• Advise senior management on risk exposure, liabilities, and mitigation strategies before contract award
• Lead the review and formation of agreements, including LOIs, NDAs, JVs, consortium agreements, exclusivity agreements, and subcontracts

• Post‑Award (Contract Administration & Management)

• Administer and interpret contract terms to ensure compliance with obligations, deliverables, and timelines
• Contract change management, including variations, EOTs, and time and/or cost claims
• Support delay analysis methodologies for EOT and prolongation cost claims
• negotiations on amendments, settlement agreements, and commercial disputes
• Maintain comprehensive contract records, registers, bonds, guarantees, insurances, and correspondence
• Support project and finance teams in payment collection in accordance with contract terms
• Act as the contractual backbone for the site and operations teams on all contract and project matters
• Coordinate with Legal on dispute management, pre‑litigation matters, and arbitration preparation
• Ensure timely contract close‑out, including final accounts, guarantees release, and documentation handover

• Risk & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and monitor contractual risks throughout the project lifecycle
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies with project stakeholders
• Provide contract awareness and compliance training to project teams in coordination with Legal
• Ensure adherence to company governance, compliance, and ethical standards

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Quantity Surveying, or related field.
• Minimum 8+ years’ experience in contracts management with strong pre‑ and post‑award exposure
• Experience in construction, infrastructure, EPC, or industrial projects within the UAE / Middle East
• Professional accreditation required or in progress (CIArb and/or RICS)
• Strong knowledge of UAE construction law, including Civil Code and local regulatory frameworks
• Strong experience with FIDIC (Red, Yellow, Silver), JCT, NEC, and bespoke contracts
• Proven experience in claims preparation, negotiation, and dispute resolution
• Fluent in English
• Strong commercial acumen with solid financial analytics capability
• Proficient in MS Office and Excel.
• *At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual.
• Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas.
• Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice.
• We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized.
• In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.*
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