Head of Contracts

Overview

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all contract administration, claims, and commercial activities across multiple projects.
• Establish and implement contract and claims management frameworks to ensure consistency, compliance, and effective risk management.
• Lead the preparation, submission, negotiation, and resolution of complex contractual claims, including:
• Extension of Time (EOT)
• Delay and Disruption Claims
• Prolongation Claims
• Loss and Expense Claims
• Variations and Final Accounts
• Advise senior management on contractual obligations, commercial risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Oversee contract administration activities, ensuring compliance with contractual terms and company policies.
• Lead high-value dispute resolution processes through negotiation, mediation, and arbitration support.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams comprising Quantity Surveyors, Commercial Managers, Estimators, and Planners.
• Drive pre-contract and post-contract activities, including tender reviews, contract negotiations, subcontract administration, and project closeout.
• Deliver executive-level reporting on contractual exposure, claims status, commercial performance, and financial impact.
• Develop and mentor commercial and contracts teams to build internal capability and promote best practices.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 10–20 years of experience in contracts, claims, and commercial management within major GCC contracting organizations.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing contracts and commercial teams.
• Extensive expertise in:
• FIDIC Contracts

• Bespoke Contract Frameworks

• Contract Administration
• Claims Management
• Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Support
• Proven experience managing:
• EOT Claims
• Delay and Disruption Claims
• Variations and Change Management

• Final Account Settlements

• Contractual Correspondence and Negotiations
• Experience delivering large-scale projects within sectors such as:
• Infrastructure
• MEP
• Defence
• Government Developments
• Landmark Projects
• GCC project exposure, preferably across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

Preferred Qualifications

• MRICS.
• ACIArb.
• PMP/PMI Certification.
• Certificate in Claims Preparation & Dispute Management.
• Postgraduate qualification in Project Management.