Contract Manager - EPC Projects for Saudi Aramco

Overview

Join as a Contract Manager responsible for managing the full contractual and commercial lifecycle of EPC contracts with Saudi Aramco. This role oversees subcontract tendering, award, and administration ensuring alignment with the prime contract and project objectives in cost, schedule, and risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the main contractual contact for EPC contracts with Saudi Aramco, ensuring full adherence to contract terms, General Terms & Conditions, SAEPs/SAESs, and Aramco procedures.
• Track contractual obligations, milestones, notices, and entitlements while preparing correspondence to protect company rights regarding variations, delays, and force majeure claims.
• Manage the change process by identifying, assessing, preparing, and negotiating Variation Orders with the client.
• Lead and/or support claims and extension-of-time submissions, along with assisting in dispute prevention and resolution.
• Oversee invoicing compliance, payment milestones, and guarantees including performance bonds, advance payments, and retentions.
• Maintain comprehensive contract registers for obligations, correspondence, schedule milestones, insurance, and bonds.
• Collaborate with Legal, Project Controls, Engineering, Construction, HSE, and QA/QC to embed contractual compliance across all disciplines.
• Formulate procurement and subcontract strategies consistent with project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Lead full tender processes for subcontract packages including scope definition, bid preparation, subcontractor prequalification, bid evaluation, commercial negotiation, awards, and subcontract documentation issuance.
• Ensure subcontract documents comply with prime EPC contract obligations on HSE, quality, schedule, damages, insurance, and warranties.
• Conduct commercial and risk evaluations of bids and negotiate terms securing requisite internal approvals before awarding subcontracts.
• Manage subcontract administration encompassing mobilization, variations, claims, extensions, invoicing, certifications, and closeout activities.
• Monitor subcontractors’ adherence to contractual terms including schedule, quality, manpower, and HSE, triggering corrective measures when necessary.
• Review and certify subcontractor invoices against approved progress and contract terms.
• Handle subcontract close-out processes including final accounts, retention release, and documentation.
• Maintain live subcontract registers tracking status, values, variations, key dates, and performance metrics.
• Identify and mitigate contractual and commercial risks across prime and subcontract agreements.
• Input contractual data into cost forecasts, cash flow, and risk registers collaborating with Project Controls.
• Ensure compliance with company governance, delegated authority, and approval processes in procurement and contract matters.
• Stay updated on Saudi Aramco requirements, Saudi labor law, and local regulations influencing contracts.
• Lead and mentor contracts and procurement team members assigned to the project.
• Interact with Saudi Aramco representatives, subcontractors, and internal teams such as Project Management, Controls, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and HSE.
• Represent the company in contractual negotiations and meetings with both client and subcontractors.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law, Business Administration, or related field; postgraduate qualifications such as MBA or in Contracts/Commercial Law are advantageous.
• At least 10 years of contracts and commercial management experience in EPC or construction sectors, specifically in oil and gas.
• Direct experience working on Saudi Aramco contracts, with strong knowledge of Aramco contracts, SAEPs, and procurement procedures.
• Proven track record in managing full subcontract tender cycles and subcontract administration including claims and close-out.
• Experience with FIDIC and/or Saudi Aramco contract forms preferred.
• Professional certifications like RICS, CIPS, PMP, or equivalents are positively regarded.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong contract and commercial knowledge with meticulous risk and detail focus.
• Excellent negotiation abilities with clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Good drafting skills for contracts, claims, and correspondence.
• Sound understanding of Saudi labor laws and local contracting protocols.
• Effective leadership and cross-team coordination skills.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel); experience with contract/document management software is valuable.
• Fluency in English is required; Arabic language skills are a plus.
• High ethics and professional standards with strong anti-bribery and anti-corruption compliance.

Working Conditions

• Work location is primarily project site office or Al-Khobar office, Saudi Arabia, with site mobilization after engineering phase completion.
• Functional and administrative reporting to the Project Manager.