Contract Specialist I

About the Role
The Senior Contract Specialist is responsible for the administration, commercial management, and governance of project contracts throughout the contract lifecycle. This role enhances the development, tendering, award, execution, change management, claims administration, and close-out of project contracts, ensuring that contractual obligations are effectively managed and the project's commercial interests are protected.
This position supports the management of contracts placed on either the company paper or Customer paper, which includes engineering, procurement, construction, fabrication, specialist services, consultancy agreements, and other third-party contracts required for project delivery. The role does not include ownership, administration, or management of the prime contract between the company and the Customer. Working closely with the Contract Manager and Project Management Team, the Senior Contract Specialist provides subject matter expertise in contract administration, commercial management, contract compliance, change management, and claims management to support successful project execution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Demonstrate visible commitment to HSSE and promote a culture of safety, integrity, compliance, and ethical business conduct.
• Support the delivery of the project's contracting and commercial objectives through effective contract administration and commercial management.
• Administer and manage project contracts throughout the full contract lifecycle.
• Provide contractual and commercial support to project management and functional teams.
• Support tendering, evaluation, negotiation, award, and post-award contract management activities.
• Ensure contract administration activities are conducted in accordance with project procedures, governance requirements, and client expectations.
• Protect the project's commercial interests through the effective management of contractual obligations, risks, changes, and claims.
• Support the Contract Manager in maintaining commercial controls and contractual governance across the project.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with contractors, suppliers, project teams, and client representatives.

Key Accountabilities

Tendering and Contract Formation

• Support the development and implementation of project contracting plans and execution strategies.
• Prepare, review, and administer Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation and associated commercial requirements.
• Coordinate bidder communications, tender clarifications, and commercial evaluation activities.
• Support the preparation of commercial bid evaluations and contract award recommendations.
• Participate in commercial negotiations and contract finalisation activities.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of contract award documentation.

Contract Administration

• Administer contracts from award through completion and close-out.
• Maintain contract registers, obligations registers, correspondence logs, and contract administration records.
• Monitor contractor compliance with contractual obligations and project requirements.
• Ensure contractual deliverables, notices, approvals, and obligations are properly managed and documented.
• Provide contractual interpretation and guidance to project teams and stakeholders.
• Prepare and manage contractual correspondence throughout project execution.

Change Management

• Administer contract amendments, change orders, variations, compensation events, and supplemental agreements.
• Maintain change management registers and supporting documentation.
• Assess contractor requests for change and support the development of commercial recommendations.
• Ensure contractual change processes are implemented consistently and in accordance with project procedures.
• Monitor the commercial impact of approved and pending changes.

Claims Management and Commercial Support

• Support the preparation, assessment, administration, and resolution of contractual claims.
• Maintain claims registers and supporting records.
• Assist in the preparation of entitlement assessments, commercial evaluations, and contract position papers.
• Support commercial negotiations associated with claims and contractual disputes.
• Assist project leadership in identifying and mitigating commercial and contractual risks.
• Review contractor commercial submissions and supporting documentation.
• Support validation of invoices, payment applications, and compensation requests.

Contract Compliance and Governance

• Ensure contracts are administered in accordance with approved procedures, delegated authorities, and governance requirements.
• Participate in internal audits, compliance reviews, and assurance activities.
• Maintain auditable contract files and commercial records.
• Support reporting requirements and preparation of commercial management reports.
• Promote continuous improvement within contract administration and commercial management processes.

Project Close-Out

• Support contract completion, final account settlement, and contract close-out activities.
• Ensure all contractual obligations have been satisfied and appropriately documented.
• Coordinate lessons learned activities and close-out reporting.
• Archive contract documentation in accordance with project and company requirements.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Business, Commerce, Law, or a related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications in Contract Management, Commercial Management, Quantity Surveying, Procurement, or Project Management.
• Membership of a recognised professional body.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in contract management, contract administration, commercial management, procurement, or project services within the Oil & Gas, Energy, Petrochemical, Infrastructure, or Industrial sectors.
• Demonstrated experience supporting major capital projects in EPC, EPCM, PMC, or Owner's Team environments.
• Experience administering engineering, construction, fabrication, and specialist services contracts.
• Proven experience supporting tendering, contract award, contract administration, and contract close-out activities.
• Experience managing contract variations, change orders, compensation events, and claims.
• Experience preparing commercial evaluations, contract recommendations, and contractual correspondence.
• Experience working within multi-disciplinary project teams and complex stakeholder environments.
• Experience supporting contractor negotiations and commercial discussions.
• Previous Middle East project experience is preferred.
• Experience on Iraq projects or within challenging international operating environments is highly desirable.

Knowledge and Competencies

• Strong understanding of contract administration and commercial management principles.
• Working knowledge of international contract forms and contracting strategies.
• Strong knowledge of contractual risk management and commercial governance.
• Good understanding of change management and claims management processes.
• Ability to analyse contractual issues and develop practical commercial solutions.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain robust contractual records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.
• Effective negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple contracts and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• High level of commercial awareness and business judgement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and contract management systems.

Key Success Measures

• Safe execution of all contract administration and commercial management activities.
• Timely and accurate administration of project contracts.
• Effective implementation of contract governance and compliance requirements.
• Successful management of contract changes, variations, and claims.
• Accurate and auditable contract records and documentation.
• Timely commercial reporting and stakeholder support.
• Effective mitigation of contractual and commercial risks.
• Strong contractor and stakeholder relationships that support successful project delivery.

Moving Forward Together
We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. Our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection, and innovation. We're building a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace, creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard.
We're not just talking about it; we're doing it. We're reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy infrastructure and technology. Whatever your ambition, there's a path for you here. And there's no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.