Contracts Lead

Wasael Property Management; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 360,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Wasael Property Management in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, seeks an experienced Contracts Lead to manage contract administration across major projects, ensuring governance, compliance, risk control and protection of the organisation's commercial interests throughout the lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will review and administer contracts, lead negotiations, monitor milestones, manage claims and variations, and coordinate with commercial, procurement, project, legal and finance teams to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
• MRICS / RICS accreditation preferred.
• 10-12+ years of contracts and commercial experience in major construction or consultancy projects.
• Experience in real estate development, construction, infrastructure, or major project environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead contract administration activities from award through close-out.
• Review and administer contracts for compliance with terms and requirements.
• Support development, review, negotiation, and finalisation of contracts and amendments.
• Monitor obligations, milestones, notices, and key dates for timely compliance.
• Manage contract-related correspondence, notices, claims, variations, and extensions of time.
• Assess contractor/ consultant claims and provide contractual recommendations to leadership.
• Identify risks and mitigation measures; coordinate with teams on contract matters.
• Coordinate with Commercial, Procurement, Project, Technical, Finance, and Legal teams.
• Support tendering and procurement through review of terms and proposed amendments.
• Provide contractual guidance to project teams for informed decision-making.
• Lead negotiations with contractors, consultants, suppliers as required.
• Ensure change control procedures and contract implications are documented.
• Maintain records of contracts, amendments, correspondence, notices, and decisions.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution through effective contract management.
• Prepare contractual reports and recommendations for senior management.
• Assist final account negotiations and contract close-out.

Skills

Contract administration

FIDIC

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Dispute avoidance

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Change management

Commercial acumen

Claims & Variations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Law, Commercial Management, or related

MRICS / RICS accreditation preferred

Job description

Job Purpose

To lead and manage contract administration and contractual activities across assigned projects, ensuring effective contract governance, compliance, risk management, and protection of the organisation's commercial and contractual interests throughout the project lifecycle.

Job Purpose

To lead and manage contract administration and contractual activities across assigned projects, ensuring effective contract governance, compliance, risk management, and protection of the organisation's commercial and contractual interests throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead contract administration activities across assigned projects from contract award through completion and close-out.
• Review, interpret, and administer contracts to ensure compliance with contractual terms, obligations, and organisational requirements.
• Support the development, review, negotiation, and finalisation of contracts, agreements, amendments, and associated documentation.
• Monitor contractual obligations, deliverables, milestones, notices, and key dates to ensure timely compliance by all parties.
• Manage contractual correspondence, notices, claims, variations, extensions of time, and other contract-related matters.
• Review and assess contractor and consultant claims and provide contractual recommendations to project and commercial leadership.
• Identify contractual risks, liabilities, and potential areas of exposure and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Coordinate with Commercial, Procurement, Project, Technical, Finance, and Legal teams on contractual matters.
• Support tendering and procurement activities through review of contractual terms, conditions, scopes, and proposed amendments.
• Provide contractual advice and guidance to project teams to support effective decision-making.
• Lead contractual negotiations with contractors, consultants, suppliers, and other service providers where required.
• Ensure appropriate change control procedures are followed and contractual implications of changes are properly assessed and documented.
• Maintain accurate records of contracts, amendments, correspondence, notices, claims, variations, and contractual decisions.
• Monitor contractor and consultant compliance with contractual requirements and escal.
• Support dispute avoidance and resolution processes through effective contract administration and documentation.
• Prepare contractual reports, assessments, and recommendations for senior management.
• Support final account negotiations, contract close-out, and settlement of outstanding contractual matters.
• Ensure contract management activities comply with organisational governance, delegated authorities, and applicable policies and procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying, Engineering, Construction Management, Law, Commercial Management, or a related discipline.
• Professional accreditation such as MRICS, RICS, or equivalent would be preferred.
• Minimum 10-12 years of relevant contracts and commercial experience, including experience managing major construction or consultancy contracts.
• Strong experience within real estate development, construction, infrastructure, or major project environments.
• Strong knowledge of contract administration and standard forms of construction contracts, including FIDIC where applicable.
• Demonstrated experience managing claims, variations, extensions of time, contractual notices, and dispute-related matters.
• Strong experience in contract negotiation, risk assessment, and contractual interpretation.
• Experience working with contractors, consultants, project teams, commercial teams, and senior stakeholders.

Key Competencies

Contract Management

• Contract Administration
• FIDIC
• Claims & Variations
• Contractual Risk Management
• Negotiation
• Commercial Acumen
• Change Management
• Dispute Avoidance & Resolution
• Contractual Correspondence
• Stakeholder Management
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills